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Alcohol and Your Health
Is alcohol bad for my health?
- Moderate drinking is usually not a problem.
- Some studies even say moderate drinking may
help prevent heart disease.
- Drinking too much, however, can damage
organs like the liver, heart and brain and cause serious health
problems.
What is a safe level of drinking?
- No more than two drinks a day for men
- No more than one drink a day for women and
older adults
- One drink equals:
- one 12-ounce bottle of beer or wine
cooler
- one 5-ounce glass of wine
- one ounce of 100 proof whiskey.
Are there people who should not drink at all?
Yes. The following people should avoid
alcohol:
- women who are pregnant or trying to become
pregnant
- people taking certain over-the-counter or
prescription drugs
- people with health problems that can become
worse from drinking
- people who plan to drive or operate
high-speed machinery
- recovering alcoholics
- people under 21.
Can alcohol hurt my kidneys?
Alcohol can hurt your kidneys because:
- It increases your chance of developing high
blood pressure, which is a leading cause of kidney disease.
- If you have high blood pressure, alcohol
can interfere with your medicines and make it harder to control
your pressure. Uncontrolled or poorly controlled high blood
pressure is more likely to damage your kidneys.
Is alcohol good for my heart?
- Some studies have shown that moderate
drinking may have some benefit.
- Heavy drinking, however, can increase the
risk of heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure and other
serious diseases like liver disease.
Can I drink if I have diabetes?
- Moderate drinking is usually okay as long
as you don't do it on an empty stomach.
- Drinking on an empty stomach can cause low
blood sugar for several hours.
Tips for party-going when you have diabetes:
- If drinks will be served, make sure to have
your scheduled meal before the party.
- Nibble on high-carbohydrate (not high
sugar) foods during the party.
- Be aware that some mixers may contain
sugar.
Can I drink if I take medicine?
- Check with your doctor first.
- Many medicines interact harmfully with
alcohol.
Is alcohol more of a problem for women and
older people?
It may be because:
- Older people often take many medicines,
some of which may interact with alcohol.
- Women have a lower tolerance for alcohol
because their bodies have less water, and alcohol becomes more
concentrated in women's bodies.
For more information:
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See also in this A-Z guide:
- Diabetes and Kidney Disease
- Drug Abuse and Your Kidneys
- High Blood Pressure and Your Kidneys
- How Your Kidneys Work
- Warning Signs of Kidney and Urinary Tract
Diseases
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