I drink to excess at least once a week
Damage done
Alcohol can be a tonic - or toxic. If you're enjoyed a glass of wine with dinner throughout the years or the occasional cocktail at a party or beer after work with friends, you're a moderate drinker. For
you, alcohol delivers benefits: in more than 100 studies, moderate drinkers enjoyed a 25 to 40 percent reduction in heart attacks, ischaemic (clot-caused) strokes, peripheral vascular disease, sudden cardiac death and death from all cardiovascular causes. Why? Alchohol in moderate amounts raises levels of 'good' HDL cholesterol and discourages the formation of small blood clots that can lead to heart attacks and strokes. It may even help to protect against type 2 diabetes and gallstones.
But if you drink to excess regularly, alcohol can be a poison. Women who regularly consume two or more drinks a day and men who regularly down three or more are at higher risk of liver damage, pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas), various cancers including those of the liver, mouth, throat, larynx and oesophagus, high blood pressure and depression. Women, who are more sensitive to alcohol's inebriating effects and its long-term health effects, may develop heart disease, brittle bones and even memory loss.
Each extra daily drink raises a woman's risk of breast cancer by 6 percent, according to a study by Cancer Research UK of drinking patterns among 150,000 women around the world.
Although the overall impact is small, especially in young women who are at low risk, it may become more important with age. The average lifetime risk of breast cancer is about 8.8 per 100 by the time a woman reaches the age of 80. One alcoholic drink a day increases the figure to 9.4 cases
per 100, and six daily drinks raises it 13.3 per 100. However, in older women the effect on breast cancer may be offset by the beneficial effect of alcohol in reducing heart disease. Several studies have found a higher risk of prostate cancer among men who drink a lot or who have been long-time drinkers. Too much alcohol can pack your liver with fat, and can lead to a reverisble liver problem - alcoholic hepatitis - or to irreversible scarring - cirrhosis.
The list continues: If you've been drinking to excess for years, you may need screening and treatment for thinning bones or an enlarged heart. Alcohol can also age your brain, making memory and thinking problems worse.
Can I undo it? For the most part
Soon after you cut back or stop, your digestion will improve: your stomach won't have to cope with the irritation caused by the alcohol and the excess stomach acids it triggers. You'll sleep more soundly. Your blood sugar will be lower and steadier. Your blood sugar will be lower and steadier. Your blood pressure may fall towards a healthier range. Even your brain will bounce back. Alcoholics who stayed sober for nearly seven years performed as well as non-alcoholics in brain function tests in one study. Even if you have liver damage, cutting back on alcohol and eating a healthier diet could help your liver to regenerate itself to some degree.
Plus benefits
Without a doubt, you'll have a healthier liver and cardiovascular system. You will have a far-reduced risk of car crashes and other accidents. You'll also feel more energetic and you may have better relationships with family and friends if drinking has caused problems before.
Repair plan
Many worries can have serious health consequences. In one telephone survey of 3,121 women and men, half admitted to having stress about money, 23 percent said their anxiety was severe and 12 percent called it overwhelming. The damage? Survey-takers said financial stress contributed to high blood pressure, depression, insomnia, headaches, digestive disorders, aches and pains, ulcers, excessive smoking and drinking and gaining or losing weight.
Debt is strongly linked with poor mental health - more so than low income as such, according to a study at the Institute of Psychiatry in London. Among 8,580 people assessed, those with low income were twice as likely to have a mental disorder (psychosis, nuerosis, alcohol or drug abuse), but the association with income vanished when debt and other social variables were taken into account. Of those with a mental disorder, 23 percent were in debt compared with just 8 percent of those without a mental disorder, and the more debts people had, the more likely they were to have a mental disorder, even taking account of income and other variable factors.
Can I undo it? Yes
But let's be honest: it's not going to be easy. Getting yourself out of debt is analogous to losing large amounts of weight: it takes time, the process can be hard on your ego and your lifestyle, you must be constantly vigilant and it's easy to revert back to old habits. But for those who succeed - and many do - the results are stunning.
Plus benefits
You are going to feel more in control of your life with less stress and fewer worries. You'll be able to sleep better, stop overeating and have fewer headaches. Finding ways to focus on the simple joys in life will help to improve your relationships.
Repair plan
Damage done
Alcohol can be a tonic - or toxic. If you're enjoyed a glass of wine with dinner throughout the years or the occasional cocktail at a party or beer after work with friends, you're a moderate drinker. For
you, alcohol delivers benefits: in more than 100 studies, moderate drinkers enjoyed a 25 to 40 percent reduction in heart attacks, ischaemic (clot-caused) strokes, peripheral vascular disease, sudden cardiac death and death from all cardiovascular causes. Why? Alchohol in moderate amounts raises levels of 'good' HDL cholesterol and discourages the formation of small blood clots that can lead to heart attacks and strokes. It may even help to protect against type 2 diabetes and gallstones.
But if you drink to excess regularly, alcohol can be a poison. Women who regularly consume two or more drinks a day and men who regularly down three or more are at higher risk of liver damage, pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas), various cancers including those of the liver, mouth, throat, larynx and oesophagus, high blood pressure and depression. Women, who are more sensitive to alcohol's inebriating effects and its long-term health effects, may develop heart disease, brittle bones and even memory loss.
Each extra daily drink raises a woman's risk of breast cancer by 6 percent, according to a study by Cancer Research UK of drinking patterns among 150,000 women around the world.
Although the overall impact is small, especially in young women who are at low risk, it may become more important with age. The average lifetime risk of breast cancer is about 8.8 per 100 by the time a woman reaches the age of 80. One alcoholic drink a day increases the figure to 9.4 cases
per 100, and six daily drinks raises it 13.3 per 100. However, in older women the effect on breast cancer may be offset by the beneficial effect of alcohol in reducing heart disease. Several studies have found a higher risk of prostate cancer among men who drink a lot or who have been long-time drinkers. Too much alcohol can pack your liver with fat, and can lead to a reverisble liver problem - alcoholic hepatitis - or to irreversible scarring - cirrhosis.
The list continues: If you've been drinking to excess for years, you may need screening and treatment for thinning bones or an enlarged heart. Alcohol can also age your brain, making memory and thinking problems worse.
Can I undo it? For the most part
Soon after you cut back or stop, your digestion will improve: your stomach won't have to cope with the irritation caused by the alcohol and the excess stomach acids it triggers. You'll sleep more soundly. Your blood sugar will be lower and steadier. Your blood sugar will be lower and steadier. Your blood pressure may fall towards a healthier range. Even your brain will bounce back. Alcoholics who stayed sober for nearly seven years performed as well as non-alcoholics in brain function tests in one study. Even if you have liver damage, cutting back on alcohol and eating a healthier diet could help your liver to regenerate itself to some degree.
Plus benefits
Without a doubt, you'll have a healthier liver and cardiovascular system. You will have a far-reduced risk of car crashes and other accidents. You'll also feel more energetic and you may have better relationships with family and friends if drinking has caused problems before.
Repair plan
- Stick with healthy limits That's two or fewer alcoholic drinks a day for men, one for women. Health dangers begin to rise for people who drink more than that.
- Reserve alcohol for meals You're more likely to sip a beer or nice glass of wine slowly if you're enjoying it along with a good meal. At parties or before you eat, stick with iced tea, water or sparkling water with a splash of lemon or lime.
- Drink of taste, not to get drunk For a teenager, feeling drunk might seem novel and cool. As a mature adult, there is no sound reason ever to get drunk. If you discover that you are drinking for the effects of the alcohol - be they to escape a bad day, give you courage in new situations or merely to be 'one of the gang' -stop immediately. Work hard to find a healthier coping mechanism.
- If you can't stop, acknowledge the addiction If you can't stick with a healthy drink limit, if you drink secretly or if you need more alcohol to get the same 'drunken' effect, it's time to get help. You may have an alcohol-use disorder. Talk with your doctor and contact a support group such as Alcoholics Anonymous for the support you'll need to make a healthy change.
- Take your health seriously Report any symptoms to your GP promptly, and follow advice about any health issue such as high blood pressure or brittle bones. Don't smoke - smoking and drinking together multiples the potentially harmful effects on your body. And make sure you eat a healthy diet - excess alcohol consumption can deplete vital vitamins and minerals.
Current Habit
I have spent myself deeply into debt
Damage done
I have spent myself deeply into debt
Damage done
Many worries can have serious health consequences. In one telephone survey of 3,121 women and men, half admitted to having stress about money, 23 percent said their anxiety was severe and 12 percent called it overwhelming. The damage? Survey-takers said financial stress contributed to high blood pressure, depression, insomnia, headaches, digestive disorders, aches and pains, ulcers, excessive smoking and drinking and gaining or losing weight.
Debt is strongly linked with poor mental health - more so than low income as such, according to a study at the Institute of Psychiatry in London. Among 8,580 people assessed, those with low income were twice as likely to have a mental disorder (psychosis, nuerosis, alcohol or drug abuse), but the association with income vanished when debt and other social variables were taken into account. Of those with a mental disorder, 23 percent were in debt compared with just 8 percent of those without a mental disorder, and the more debts people had, the more likely they were to have a mental disorder, even taking account of income and other variable factors.
Can I undo it? Yes
But let's be honest: it's not going to be easy. Getting yourself out of debt is analogous to losing large amounts of weight: it takes time, the process can be hard on your ego and your lifestyle, you must be constantly vigilant and it's easy to revert back to old habits. But for those who succeed - and many do - the results are stunning.
Plus benefits
You are going to feel more in control of your life with less stress and fewer worries. You'll be able to sleep better, stop overeating and have fewer headaches. Finding ways to focus on the simple joys in life will help to improve your relationships.
Repair plan
- Learn about money management You can't master your money if you don't understand the rules and methods of personal finance. Find a straightforward book, magazine or website and learn all you can about credit cards, mortgages, electronic banking, budgeting and investing.
- Put your credit cards on ice Literally. Put them in a cup, add water and place it in the back of the freezer so you can't use them. It will stop you increasing your debt immediately.
- Create a budget How much money is coming in each month? How much are you spending on essentials and how much are you spending on frivolous purchases? An hour of honest assessment can go a long way.
- Pay at least the minimum due each month on bills Pay more than the minimum on your highest interest credit card. After you pay that off, move to the one with the next-highest interest.
- Automate good money habits Have your wages paid directly into your account and bills paid automatically from it; have small amounts automatically diverted to savings accounts. Use technology to help you to manage your money.
- Change money priorities Banish shopping as a form of entertainment. Instead, go for a walk, take up a hobby or meet friends. Identify what you want to spend money on in the future.
No comments:
Post a Comment