It is common for young adults to socialize with their peers over alcohol especially during their years at college, and even those who are in the workforce also opt to grab a cold beer or two with their colleagues after work. Alcohol has been undoubtedly one of the factors which made a lot of our Friday nights and weekends fun — but there are certain risks involved in consuming excessive amounts of this drink.
As much as it has become a part of our lives while growing up, drinking is a personal choice which no one can take hold over but you. Regardless of what you choose, ensure that you understand the risks that may come along with it. Keep this in mind so as not to put yourself in a position which will jeopardize your health in the long run.
Risks
• If you have a certain heart condition, it is important to limit your alcohol intake to the minimum. There were cases of drinkers who suffered a heart attack and other form of heart-related seizures in the middle of excessive drinking with peers, hence it is important to know the healthy amount of alcohol you are allowed to take according to your situation.
• Nonetheless, large amounts of alcoholic drinks can put just about anyone at risk of landing a liver disease, high blood pressure, reduced fertility, and increased risks of cancer. Some of them do not show any symptoms even after a long period of time, thus they remain hidden for many years.
• Alcohol can also affect the liver’s function. It may interfere with how your body absorbs some medications, therefore hindering them from fulfilling their prescribed function. In some cases, it may also lead to arrhythmias.
• Those who are on medication such as Warfarin or other anticoagulants are on high risk if they happen to consume too much alcohol. The drink triggers an increase in the medicine’s effects, which then results to thinning the blood further and increasing the risks of bleeding.
• Excessive alcohol consumption can also cause your heart rate to speed up beyond what is normal, thus decreasing the heart’s efficiency. This may put your heart at risk, regardless of whether you already have an existing reduced heart function or you have a perfectly healthy heart.
The risks may sound scary, but this isn’t to discourage you from enjoying an alcoholic drink every now and then. What matters is that you are keeping yourself safe first. As the old saying goes, prevention is always better than cure — hence consult your doctor to be aware of your recommended maximum weekly alcohol intake.
This would allow you to impose limits on your consumption. Remember that each person has different cases, hence what your body can handle in terms of alcohol might be different than that of your peers.