With warmer weather ahead, the season for social activities is here, with friends gathering for beach days, grill outs, and vacations. All of these activities can lead to increased daily alcohol consumption. April is Alcohol Awareness Month, highlighting the many risks associated with disordered alcohol consumption, which affects millions of people daily. In this week’s Fox17, Dr. Bitner discusses how to think about alcohol differently, provides a short patient story, and encourages all viewers to honestly assess if alcohol helps them to reach their goals.
Fact #1
Typical serving sizes for alcohol:
- Wine: 5 ounces
- Beer: 12 ounces
- Liquor: 1.5 ounces
Fact #2
Your risk for cancer can increase even if you are drinking in the recommended amount. The recommended amount is one drink per day for women and two for men daily. Just one drink a week can increase a woman’s risk for breast cancer by 10%. For men, alcohol consumption can increase their risk of mouth, throat, esophagus, and colon cancer. It’s important for individuals to know that any drinking can have short-term health effects and long-term consequences.
Fact #3
The risks of excessive alcohol consumption:
- Disrupted REM sleep
- Fatigue
- Increase risk of sleep apnea
- Weight gain
- Hot flashes and night sweats
- Bladder urgency
- Increased risk of cancer: breast, mouth, throat, liver, esophagus, colon
- Greater likelihood of depression and anxiety
- Weakened immune system
Patient Story:
Jane, 45, was stressed and busy taking care of her family and aging parents. She began treating herself to a drink after work and using alcohol to relax more frequently. One glass turned into two or three a night. Jane found herself surprised by the amount she was drinking and remembered how her dad used to drink frequently and became aggressive, affecting the family dynamics. He only stopped when he was diagnosed with alcohol-related liver disease.
Jane wanted to break this habit before becoming like her father, so she made an appointment with her doctor and got a full checkup. She was relieved to see that all her tests came back within normal ranges. Jane decided to eliminate alcohol consumption until she felt confident she could drink responsibly. She was grateful she did and excited to begin building healthier habits and spending more intentional time with family.
Takeaway Tip:
Be mindful of your alcohol habits and regularly check in with yourself. Just three or more drinks per week can start to impact your health in ways you might not notice right away. With the summer ahead, try swapping an alcoholic drink for a favorite mocktail or non-alcoholic drink. Healthy aging begins with small, intentional changes.
