Have a drink? That's how alcohol ages

Wine has always played an indispensable role on the festive table. However, to put it mildly, whether it's a drink or a drink, the World Heart Alliance says that any drink is bad for health.

The latest research has found that as we age, the effects of alcohol on human health become more pronounced. Long-term alcohol abuse can cause damage to the liver and brain, and leave obvious signs on the skin. Even mild and moderate drinkers face the emotional consequences of alcohol and greater health risks as they age. Today, the U.S. News and World Report website summarizes how alcohol affects the human body and makes it age.

Alcohol tolerance gradually decreases

Tolerance to alcohol declines over time due to changes in body composition. As we age, changes in hormones, such as the decrease in some hormones associated with metabolism, increase people's sensitivity to alcohol.

For older people, even if their weight remains stable, the ratio of their fat relative to their muscles increases. So, even if you drink as much alcohol as before, the amount of alcohol in your blood will be higher because fat absorbs less alcohol from the bloodstream than muscle. Reaction time and exercise capacity also slow down with age, and drinking alcohol further reduces these abilities.

Borrowing wine to pour sorrow is even more sorrowful

It is undeniable that drinking alcohol in the short term can reduce some negative emotions. However, in the long run, the anxiety of drinkers will increase, especially habitual drinking.

A survey by the University of Michigan found that older adults who drank alcohol during the COVID-19 pandemic in response to bad emotions such as anxiety were more likely to report an increase in their alcohol consumption. Using alcohol as a coping mechanism is counterproductive.

In addition, the elderly tend to experience deep grief when they lose a loved one, and it is a temptation for them to dissolve the grief by drinking alcohol. Depression is already common in older people, and it can worsen from drinking alcohol.

Impaired decision-making capacity

Drinking alcohol can lead to misjudgment, and examples of drinking mistakes abound. The impact of alcohol on decision-making capacity increases with age, leading drinkers to take risks, such as drunk driving or making unrealistic investment decisions.

Accelerates skin aging

Drinking alcohol accelerates the aging process of the skin. Alcohol dehydrates the whole body, including the skin. Both dehydration and tissue inflammation can have an impact on skin health. Wrinkles, puffiness, dryness, redness of cheeks and purple capillaries... Alcoholism can make people look old.

In addition, jaundice (i.e., when the skin and whites of the eyes turn yellow) may also be a sign of alcoholic liver disease.

Leave the liver under pressure

Alcohol abuse is a risk factor for liver diseases such as cirrhosis and liver cancer. Even moderate alcohol consumption can affect liver function. An aging liver cannot quickly decompose or metabolize alcohol, which causes it to stay in the human system for longer.

Exacerbate existing diseases

Chronic diseases that develop as we age can be complicated by alcohol consumption. The American Diabetes Association says dangerous hypoglycemia occurs within 24 hours of drinking alcohol, which interferes with diabetics' efforts to eat a healthy diet. Drinking alcohol raises blood pressure in the short term, while repeated alcohol abuse can lead to high blood pressure. Alcohol abuse also increases the risk of ulcers and prevents existing ulcers from healing.

Reacts with drugs

Older adults may take multiple medications, so it's important to understand how alcohol interferes with prescription and over-the-counter medications. Mixing alcohol and drugs, either reducing or enhancing the desired effect of the drug. In addition, some drugs already contain alcohol.

Liver function declines with age, reducing the body's ability to break down and remove drugs. Drinking alcohol can also affect the liver, increasing the risk of side effects of the drug.

Alcohol interacts with drugs taken by older adults in a number of ways. Drugs that treat blood pressure, depression, and pain have their own sedative effects, and when combined with alcohol, they create synergistic or multiplier effects. This increased sedative effect makes the elderly more tired, increasing their risk of falling and driving accidents.

Decreased brain volume

A history of alcoholism and alcoholism increases the risk of developing dementia. Long-term heavy drinking accelerates brain atrophy, and loss of brain volume is a key factor in memory and cognitive decline, especially for the elderly. Alcoholic dementia occurs after years of excessive drinking, and the disease can lead to confusion, anxiety, and muscle inability to coordinate.

Disturb sleep

Some people think that moderate drinking helps sleep, but the reality is just the opposite. Many older adult lifestyle habits (e.g., frequent napping during the day, less exercise, and less time outdoors) can affect sleep cycles. Drinking alcohol can prevent the elderly from falling asleep or stay asleep, which can exacerbate insomnia.

Causes dehydration of the body

Alcohol is a diuretic, which is why drinking alcohol causes more urination. Therefore, you need to drink more water to replenish the fluid that has been lost. The problem is that the body's ability to sense thirst and conserve water decreases year on year, making it more susceptible to the danger of dehydration. As we age, the body's ability to respond to weather changes decreases. Signs of dehydration in older adults include confusion, incoherent language, constipation, and falls.

Increased risk of falls

Drunkenness increases the risk of accidents, including falls, fractures, and car accidents. As we age, balance and stability pose greater challenges. Older people are more likely to fall from alcohol consumption, have more serious injuries, such as hip fractures, and have a longer recovery period. Alcohol also slows down brain activity, and alertness, coordination, and judgment all decrease as alcohol consumption increases.

Develop alcohol dependence

The more alcohol you drink, the more likely you are to become dependent. In the long run, this can lead to more anxiety, depression, and stress due to various changes in the brain. As alcohol dependence increases, people become extremely anxious when drinking. They drink so much that they lose control of their anxiety. When you don't drink alcohol, you are in a state of overstimulation, manifested by nervousness and increased sweating.

Withdrawal reactions occur

People who drink alcohol for a long time suddenly do not drink alcohol and develop a withdrawal reaction (similar to a drug addiction attack), manifested by excitement, insomnia, and even epilepsy. The older you are, the higher the risk of withdrawal reactions.

It's not good for the heart

The American Heart Association website notes that while some studies suggest that a chemical in red wine (resveratrol) may have a protective effect on the heart, a causal relationship between alcohol consumption and heart health has not been established. Excessive alcohol consumption increases the risk of developing arrhythmias and high blood pressure. If you don't drink, it's not worth starting just for the potential and unproven benefits.

Increased risk of cancer

According to the American Cancer Society, alcohol consumption is increasingly linked to certain types of cancer — including oral, laryngeal, esophageal, liver, colon and breast cancers — accounting for 4 percent of all cancer deaths. To reduce the risk of cancer, it is best not to drink alcohol.

Dominant Social Life

There is more social time after retirement, and social life is often inseparable from drinking. Engaging in outdoor activities, developing hobbies, attending book clubs and other interests is actually a better option, and drinking alcohol is a big expense. Switching to non-alcoholic beverages saves money and feels better.

Source: Beijing Youth Daily