Lifestyle management (4): Alcohol
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The recommendation for people in general is that men should consume NO MORE THAN 2-3 UNITS/ DAY , and women NO MORE THAN 1-2 UNITS/ DAY . In both cases drinking should be spread out throughout the week with at least 2 "dry" days and no "bingeing". A binge is regarded as being half or more of the recommended allowance being consumed in one "session" - i.e. 10.5 units for men and 7 units for women.
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Alcohol should only be taken with meals - NEVER DRINK ALCOHOL ON AN EMPTY STOMACH. For those patients taking insulin or certain tablets, alcohol lowers the blood sugar level and therefore may induce hypoglycaemia. Remember that many of the symptoms of hypoglycaemia are similar to those of being drunk. A patient with diabetes who is drunk may not recognise their hypoglycaemia symptoms, and nor may their friends.
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Beers with a low carbohydrate content e.g. Pils are NOT recommended as they have a higher alcohol content than normal beers. Low alcohol beers, sweet sherry, "alcopop" and liqueurs are NOT recommended due to their high sugar content.
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Alcohol provides a lot of energy, therefore, if a patient needs to reduce their weight, it is best to limit intake
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1 unit of alcohol = ½ pint ordinary strength bitter/lager/cider at 3.5% abv
1 standard glass (125ml) wine - red or white at 8% abv
1 standard measure (25ml) spirits at 40% abv
1 standard measure (50ml) vermouth/fortified wine at 20% abv
Acute short-term physical effects |
Chronic long-term physical effects |
Headache Blurred vision Loss of inhibitions Violence Loss of balance Trauma Arguments Blood-shot eyes Blackouts Poor concentration Restlessness Difficulty in sleeping
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Serious memory loss Damage to nerves Dementia Epilepsy Hallucinations Chronic anxiety Depression Poor eyesight Mouth cancer Metabolic disorders Oesophageal varcies |
High blood pressure Rapid pulse |
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Vomiting Diarrhoea Inflammation of the stomach Fatty liver Trembling hands Falls Numbness in extremities Peripheral neuritis Bruising
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Cardiomyopathy Anaemia Heart failure Impaired blood clotting Pancreas Hypoglycaemia Ulcers Liver cirrhosis Hepatitis Liver cancer Back pain Kidney infections
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Impaired sexual performance Unwanted pregnancies Sexually transmitted diseases Menstrual disturbances Reduced fertility Miscarriages
General dehydration |
Foetal Alcohol Syndrome Impotence
Peripheral neuritis and muscle degeneration
Malnutrition / General vulnerability to infection
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