If you already have a chronic health condition, drinking won’t do you any favors there either. A new advisory from United States Surgeon General Vivek Murthy, M.D., warns about the direct link between alcohol consumption and cancer. “As you age, you get a higher blood alcohol concentration — what they measure on a breathalyzer — than a younger person who drank the same amount,” Koncilja says. And that means you can get hit with all the side effects in fewer sips. Your liver processes alcohol, and like the rest of your body, this organ isn’t getting any younger.
Moderate Drinking Carries Health Risks—Here’s How to Imbibe More Safely
It is not merely about the visible signs of aging, such as the dehydration of skin and formation of wrinkles, but also the invisible cognitive decline and increased susceptibility to chronic diseases. This discussion invites the exploration of the science behind these effects, prompting a necessary reevaluation of alcohol’s role in our lives. Alcohol misuse and alcohol-related harms are also increasing among this population, and at a faster rate for women than men. Alcohol misuse refers to drinking in a manner, situation, amount, or frequency that could cause harm to the person who drinks or to those around them. Alcohol misuse includes binge drinking and heavy alcohol use as well as consumption at lower levels for some individuals. As people age, changes in their bodies, as well as in their physical and mental health, may cause alcohol to affect them differently than when they were younger and put them at greater risk for negative consequences.
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In a 2023 study published in the journal Alcohol, chronic heavy alcohol consumption was found to cause DNA damage and oxidative stress, which can lead to an increased risk of cancer, cardiovascular events and liver disease. Long-term alcohol consumption triggers a series of physiological changes, starting with alcohol withdrawal symptoms like tremors, hallucinations, and seizures. The body, struggling to function without alcohol, pushes the brain into a state of hyperexcitability.
How to cut back on drinking?
It is well-known that alcohol increases the risk of developing various cancers, according to Dr. Frances Lee, who treats alcohol-related liver disease at Mount Sinai Health Systems in New York City. Healthcare experts warned of the following negative effects of alcohol that can worsen alcohol and aging as people age. Some studies have also found that older drinkers might be more susceptible to alcohol’s effect on coordination, reaction time and memory.
It Can Affect Your Heart
Current alcoholic beverage labels in the US warn of the risks of driving under the influence of alcohol, adverse effects on general health, and risks for a developing fetus — but there’s no mention of cancer. The aging effects of alcohol may be mitigated over time, particularly with detoxification benefits. However, genetic implications can influence the reversibility, underscoring the complexity https://ecosoberhouse.com/ of alcohol’s interaction with the aging process.
Alternatives to Alcohol
- We can’t wait to meet you and help you reclaim your life, free from the bonds of alcohol.
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- That misconception is rooted in a 1992 paper that found that moderate wine consumption protected French people against heart disease—even though their diet included plenty of meat, oil and butter.
- It’s best to follow the guidelines for moderate drinking — but, unfortunately, says Dr. Ford, few people do.
- That drunk or tipsy feeling should clear up by the next day, maybe leaving you with a hangover.
“That can include cognitive effects, sedative effects — like how you get sleepy with alcohol — effects on balance and coordination, raising your risk for falls,” Koncilja adds. It can also include effects on attention and driving skills, he says. Much like a child matures over time, whiskey, brandy, and other aged alcohols become more refined as they spend years resting in a barrel. The aging process is vital to many styles of liquor as it gives them the color and flavor we expect.
- There are exceptions to this and in the world of whiskey; moonshine is a perfect example because it is unaged whiskey.
- “People shouldn’t wake up in the morning and say, ‘Let’s see, what disease am I trying to prevent today?
- – The social isolation often experienced by chronic alcohol users, which can also contribute to mental health decline.
It Can Slow Your Brain
Red wine has antioxidants called polyphenols that may help your cholesterol level and protect drug addiction your blood vessels. If you drink it in moderation (about one glass a day), some studies show that it might be good for your heart. But too much can lead to an abnormal heartbeat and high blood pressure. Every alcoholic drink goes “straight to your head,” or at least to your brain. Heavy drinking over a long time can shrink brain cells and lead to alcohol-related brain damage (ARBD) and certain types of dementia. Symptoms of that include lack of judgment, organization, or emotional control, trouble staying focused, and anger issues.
- AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that empowers people to choose how they live as they age.
- Alcohol is metabolized in the liver, and the process produces harmful substances that damage liver cells, promote inflammation, and weaken the body’s natural defenses.
- The effect alcohol can have on breathing in older adults taking opioids is stark.
- Our team of dedicated professionals is committed to providing the support, guidance, and resources necessary to navigate the journey to sobriety.
- “Needing lots of medication for different conditions can cause lots of interactions with alcohol,” he says.
Older adults also are more likely to have hearing and vision problems and slower reaction times. This puts them at higher risk for falls, fractures, and automobile accidents tied to drinking. Alcohol stays in your system longer so the amount of alcohol in your blood is higher than it would have been when you were younger. It’s crucial you ask your doctor or pharmacist whether there are any risks to drinking while taking your specific medications. Your risk for osteoporosis — thinning, brittle, porous bones that break easily — increases with age. Calcium helps keep them strong, but too much drinking prevents your bones from absorbing this essential mineral.