There is no kind of alcohol consumption that is medically recommended. Not even moderate. not even one glass of wine a day.
There is a false belief that there are certain alcoholic beverages that are obtained from fermentation, such as beer or cider which, unlike those obtained by distillation, reduce the risk of some pathologies such as cardiovascular diseases. But this statement is also not true.
And consequently, it is a good moment to know the reality and make decisions:
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According to the latest report from the World Health Organization (WHO), alcohol consumption in Spain is 10 liters of pure alcohol per person per year over 15 years of age.
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At the same time, from the Spanish Society of Internal Medicine (SEMI) they explain that it is the toxic and addictive substance associated with a greater burden of disease. So much so that they ensure that excessive alcohol consumption is linked to more than 200 diseases.
Thus, it is important to influence a clear message: no alcohol consumption is safe and the less we drink the better.
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In this sense, the paradigm shift is that the “moderate” consumption of alcohol is no longer considered healthy, but rather as low-risk consumption for developing other diseases.
He doctor michael marcoscoordinator of the Alcohol and Other Drugs Group of SEMI, indicates that:
“We know the detrimental effects of acute and chronic alcohol consumption on a multitude of human physiological levels. The negative alterations on neuronal, metabolic, cardiovascular and thermoregulatory functions are well documented”.
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And it is that chronic alcohol abuse is associated with “alcoholic myopathycharacterized by weakness and atrophy of skeletal muscle.
10 out of every 100 hospitalized patients have excessive alcohol consumption
However, it is not the only disease that is closely related to alcohol consumption.
The alcoholic liver disease It is the main cause of advanced liver damage and cirrhosis in Spain and in other neighboring countries.
It does not present any specific clinical picture, but depends on the amount of alcohol that has been consumed and for how long.
Dr. Marcos points out that “between 10 and 20 percent develop severe forms of the disease.
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The main pillar of treatment is the cessation of alcohol consumption, which reinforces the need for a multidisciplinary approach in the treatment of these patients for the alcohol use disorder itself, liver disease and other comorbidities that they may suffer.
Drugs in Spain
According to data from the National Plan on Drugs for the year 2021, in Spain there were 974 poisonings due to overdose, and toxicological information was obtained in 872 of them.
Opiates are no longer the first substance implicated, having been superseded by hypnosedatives.
The third substance implicated is cocaine, followed by alcohol and cannabis, followed further by amphetamines and ecstasy.
Also according to the National Plan on Drugs, cocaine is the first substance for which admission to treatment is requested, be it outpatient or hospital, followed by cannabis (which is the first substance in those under 25 years of age), then heroin. and to a much lesser extent hypnosedatives and amphetamines.
One in ten hospitalized patients consumed alcohol in excess
According to information from the Spanish Society of Internal Medicine, it is estimated that 10% of patients admitted to Internal Medicine Departments have excessive alcohol consumption. And, among the problems that motivate their admission, the following stand out:
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Poisoning.
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Abstinence.
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Associated complications such as respiratory and soft tissue infections, Wernicke’s encephalopathy, hepatitis acute alcoholic or pancreatitis.
Excessive alcohol consumption can also translate into other diseases such as:
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atrial fibrillation.
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Cardiovascular diseases.
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Cancer.
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Even neurological problems like dementia.
Alcohol and sport: how does it affect?
Most studies indicate that alcohol consumption is not a good partner for sports. It negatively affects your muscle recovery after intense training.
In addition, it can cause:
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Appearance of late muscle regeneration
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increased inflammation
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fibrosis, and deficiencies in energy balance and mitochondrial function.
But these characteristics can appear not only in chronic alcohol abuse, but also as a result of consumption that we would all consider moderate.