Many people are trying to cut back on their alcohol intake after the festive season, and if you need some motivation to avoid the booze then a doctor has shared the warning signs that alcohol is harming your health
Millions of Brits are abstaining from booze this month as they take part in Dry January, as experts give their advice on the matter.
Recent findings from Alcohol Change UK reveal that over half (54%) of Brits have tried to reduce their alcohol intake at some point, with popular methods including having choosing non-alcoholic alternatives, and taking extended breaks between drinking sessions.
For those considering cutting back on alcohol intake, GPs can provide advice and Alcohol Change UK offers free tools and resources to help kick-start your journey towards sobriety. For those worried about drinking habits, a doctor has told the Daily Record how alcohol could be damaging your health.
Changes of the skin
Dr Sanjay Mehta, GP at The London General Practice, warns changes in your skin’s appearance could indicate alcohol is negatively affecting your health. The health expert revealed: “One of the many roles of the liver is to help generate the cells that allow the blood to clot, an important survival mechanism.
“However, when the liver becomes damaged, it can lead to excessive bruising, due to the impact of alcohol on clotting factors in the blood.”
Weight gain
Excessive consumption will often lead to weight gain, thanks to its high calorie intake and the face it can also affect your body’s metabolism. Dr Mehta says this includes “slowing down the process of breaking down body fat, as the body, particularly the liver, focuses on breaking down the alcohol instead.”
He added: “The production of ‘galanin’ that results from drinking alcohol may also increase the desire for fatty foods, which can compound these effects to lead to a gain in weight.”
Numbness
Dr Metha warns excessive drinking can lead to certain nerves transmitting signals between the body and the brain to become damaged, and can result in your hands and feet feeling numb or tingly, leaving you feeling unsteady.
Heartburn
Heartburn is another sign too much booze is harming your health. Dr Metha said: “Alcohol can trigger heartburn or worsen symptoms in individuals who are already affected by the condition, partly as alcohol stimulates increased production of stomach acid, which subsequently can damage the stomach’s inner lining.
“The rising of muscle that separates the stomach and the oesophagus also relaxes when we drink alcohol, allowing this stomach acid to flow upwards from the stomach into the oesophagus, where the lining is not as well designed to withstand this acidity.”
Malnutrition
Drinking too much booze can also lead to malnutrition as alcohol can interfere with the hormones which regulate our appetite, and cause the stomach and brain incorrectly perceiving when you are actually feeling full.
Dr Mehta added: “Consequently, individuals may eat less, reducing their calorie consumption and leading to inadequate nutrient intake. Excess alcohol use over many years can also cause liver damage, which may also present with weight loss.”
