Facts About Alcohol

What is alcohol?

Alcohol is the most widely used social drug in Australia.  While a small amount of alcohol may be beneficial to the heart for some older people, risky drinking can cause serious problems.  Australians are the heaviest drinkers in the English speaking world. We drink to relax, to celebrate, to socialise and to have fun.  Alcohol forms a part of many social functions - from family get togethers to parties and work functions.

Unfortunately excessive alcohol use is responsible for many physical, mental and emotional problems. It affects virtually every organ in the body, and chronic use can lead to numerous preventable diseases including alcoholism. It is also a central nervous system depressant. The following guidelines can help you look after yourself, your family and others when alcohol is being used.

Revised  Australian Guidelines to Drinking Alcohol (2009)

Guideline 1

For healthy men and women, drinking no more than two standard drinks on any day reduces the lifetime risk of harm from alcohol-related disease or injury.

Guideline 2

For healthy men and women, drinking no more than four standard drinks on a single occasion reduces the risk of alcohol related injury arising from that occasion.

Guideline 3

Parents and carers should be advised that for children under 15 years of age, not drinking is especially important. For people aged 15 - 17 years, the safest option is to delay the initiation of drinking.

Guideline 4

For women who are pregnant, planning pregnancy or breastfeeding, NOT drinking is the safest option.

What is a standard drink?

One standard drink (10 grams of alcohol) is equal to each of the following:

Metabolism of Alcohol  

Alcohol enters into the bloodstream through the stomach and the small intestine.  The rate of absorption varies from person to person, depending on:

· Individual sensitivity to alcohol

· Frequency of intake

· The type and concentration of what you drink

· Genetic background

· Body weight - the lower the weight the greater its effect

Alcohol is metabolised mainly by the liver.  A small proportion is removed through the kidneys, sweat and breath.

Danger of Excess

Short term effects

· Distorted vision, hearing and co-ordination

· Altered perceptions and emotions

· Impaired judgment

· Bad breath and hangovers

Long term effects

General

· Weight gain

· Vitamin deficiencies

· Loss of appetite

· Depression

· Skin problems

· Sexual impotence

· Difficulty sleeping

· Arguments with family

· Decreased functioning at work

· Financial difficulties

Liver

    · Impaired function

· Cancer

· Severe swelling and pain

Stomach and Intestines

· Inflammation and bleeding

· Ulcers

Pancreas

· Inflammation and bleeding

Brain

· Memory loss

· Confusion and disorganisation

· Hallucinations and fits

· Permanent brain damage

· Impaired ability to learn new things

Muscles

· Weakness and loss of tissue

Heart

· Irregular pulse

· Damaged heart muscle

· Increased blood pressure and risk for heart disease

Nervous System

· Damage causes loss of sensation in hands and feet

Signs of a drinking  problem

If you feel that someone you know could have a drinking problem, the following situations may help you decide whether or not to seek further assistance:

· Inability to control drinking - regardless of intentions, they frequently end up consuming too much.

· Using alcohol to escape from problems.

· Changing from a reserved person to the ‘life of the party’.

· A high tolerance level—they can drink everyone else under the table.

· Suffers’ ‘blackouts’ when drinking - the person can't remember what happened.

References

2009 Australian Guidelines to Reduce Health Risks from Drinking Alcohol: www.nhmrc.gov.au/publications/synopses/_files/ds10-alcoholqa.pdf

Better Health Channel www.betterhealthchannel.vic.gov.au

“Nutrition for Life” by Catherine Saxelby, 2006.

 

Disclaimer

This Fact Sheet is provided for your information only and does not replace qualified medical advice. The information provided may not apply to every person or all situations. A medical practitioner should be consulted for all treatment and medication.

Caffeine Consumption - Don't be a mug!

What happens to caffeine in the body?

· Caffeine is absorbed very quickly into the bloodstream.

· Peak blood levels occur between 30 and 60 minutes after consuming any products containing caffeine.

· It passes into all body fluids, including breast milk, and all body tissues, including the foetus in pregnant women.

· Nearly all (99%) of the caffeine is broken down by the liver. The breakdown products are excreted in urine.

· How long the effect of caffeine lasts in the body depends on age, weight, sex, hormonal state and health. The half-life of caffeine in adults is usually 2.5 to 7.5 hours. It is longest in women taking oral contraceptives, pregnant women, and in some diseases, particularly liver cirrhosis and pulmonary oedema.

· Infants and children do not eliminate caffeine as efficiently as adults and the effects may last for 3-4 days.

What are the effects?

· Caffeine has many stimulating effects in the body.  It stimulates the central nervous system and also increases:

- Adrenalin release

- Heart rate and blood pressure

- Depth and rate of breathing

- Blood sugar levels

- Blood cholesterol levels

- Stomach acid secretion

- Urination

- Appetite suppression

· The extent and effects of caffeine on the central nervous system depend on the amount and frequency of caffeine consumption and an individual’s sensitivity or tolerance.

· A rough guide to the central nervous system effects of caffeine is given in the following table, but some people, including children, are adversely affected by caffeine at a level of less than 100 mg, whereas others may need considerably more than 300 mg before adverse effects are noted.

· It is also worth noting that caffeine (consumed as tea or coffee) is associated with premenstrual tension, particularly anxiety symptoms.  The greater sensitivity to caffeine pre-menstrual may be partly due to a slower clearance rate.

The effects of caffeine on the central nervous system (CNS)

The following table gives a guide of what can happen to your body when you consume low levels of caffeine, and when you consume a level more than your body can tolerate:

A good rule of thumb is to not exceed 4 caffeine drinks /  serves per day. For example: 2 cups of instant coffee, 1 cup of tea and a can of diet cola. The caffeine in these 4 drinks is about 210mg.  Try having a glass of water for each caffeine drink throughout the day.

Because caffeine can suppress the appetite, it is vital that you do not replace morning tea or afternoon tea with a caffeine drink. Skipping these mid-meals promotes slowing of your metabolism and overeating at the next meal. 

How much caffeine do you consume each day?

The caffeine content of drinks varies considerably with the strength of the drink and the type of brewing process.  There is also variation with the plant  variety, conditions of growth and harvesting, roasting and drying procedures. 

The information above enables you to estimate your daily total caffeine intake.

Break the habit in 3 easy steps

· Decrease caffeine intake to below the recommended dosage by keeping track of what you drink

· Use tea not coffee, or decaf coffee

· Increase water intake

For more information

Wesley Corporate Health

Level 2 / 46 Edward Street

Brisbane  Qld  4000

Phone:  07 3234 2600

Email: info@weshealth.com.au

Disclaimer

This Fact Sheet is provided for your information only and does not replace qualified medical advice. The information provided may not apply to every person or all situations. A medical practitioner should be consulted for all treatment and medication.