How we life our lives can affect our experience of menopause. There are things that are within our powers to manage or change completely, that will have a very dramatic effect on both our overall health and the menopause symptoms we ultimately experience.
Alcohol is one of those areas where we have total control in managing how it affects our health and the symptoms of menopause.
Effects of Alcohol on the Brain
Alcohol acts on the brain to reduce anxiety and inhibitions. In moderate amounts it helps with relaxation as well as increasing confidence in social situations. However, as a sedative it can also slow down reactions and affect coordination and concentration. Even small amounts can impair an individual's ability to operate machinery and to drive.
Larger amounts of alcohol can lead to loss of control, drowsiness and eventually to loss of consciousness. Continued excessive alcohol consumption may be associated with anxiety and depression as well as increasing the risk of developing dementia.
Effects on the Body
Alcohol acts as a diuretic and stimulates the appetite. It causes dilatation (widening) of the blood vessels in the skin, which can be associated with excessive sweating, flushing and loss of heat from the body.
Bouts of heavy drinking lead to hangovers with headaches, nausea and a dry mouth. Hangovers are due to the effects of alcohol and other chemicals in alcoholic drinks. Drinking large amounts can lead to loss of memory and loss of consciousness. Many regular drinkers find they put on weight.
Long-term excessive consumption may be associated with many disorders, including stomach ulcers, certain heart and liver diseases, high blood pressure and strokes. It also increases the risk of certain cancers, such as cancer of the mouth, throat and esophagus, particularly in those who also smoke. Brain function may be affected and related and ongoing vitamin deficiencies may result in nerve damage.
Alcohol can also lead to various other problems; it can interfere with an individual's social life as well as affecting work and relationships. Dependence is a common and serious problem; affected individuals find they need to drink, and they keep drinking even though they know it will harm them. Their bodies can tolerate increasing levels of alcohol and they experience symptoms if alcohol is stopped.
It can be difficult to keep track of alcohol consumption. It may be worth trying to keep an alcohol diary for a couple of weeks to give you an idea of how much you're drinking. You should also use a shot glass or drink measure when pouring drinks at home to avoid overgenerous portions. If your level of alcohol consumption is above the recommended limit, it is time to cut down.
Ways To Rut Down On Alcohol
- Make sure you have at least two alcohol-free days each week.
- Avoid drinking during the day at work.
- When socializing, make sure every other drink is non-alcoholic.
- Decide in advance how much you want to drink and stick to it.
- Finish your drink before refilling your glass so you know how much alcohol you have had.
- Put your glass down between sips to help you drink more slowly
Spice Up Your Social Life
Rethink your socializing. Take up a sport or other pastime that will help to replace drinking in your social life. Instead of meeting your friends in the bar, go to the gym for an exercise class or make the cinema or theatre a regular date.
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