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"Old Zhou, I heard that you have been insisting on drinking some liquor at night all these years, it's really not easy, how are you doing now?" In the outpatient room, Dr. Zhao smiled and looked at Uncle Zhou, a 74-year-old retired postman, who was sitting opposite.
Uncle Zhou touched his beard with a smile, "Doctor Zhao, what do you say, the two cups on time every night, I think it's very good, the body is tough, and the wind is in full swing." ”
"Okay, let's take a closer look. Dr. Zhao began to carefully check Uncle Zhou's various physical indicators, and then displayed the results on the computer screen. Uncle Zhou's blood pressure, blood sugar, and liver function were all normal. Dr. Zhao nodded in satisfaction.
"Do you know, Uncle Zhou, although your physical indicators are very good, long-term drinking of liquor does have some potential risks to the body. First of all, alcohol can affect the normal function of the liver, and while your liver function tests are normal now, it doesn't mean that it will necessarily be the case in the future. Alcoholic liver disease is a gradual progression. ”
Doctor Zhao looked at Uncle Zhou seriously, "Old Zhou, how do you feel when you sleep at night?" Uncle Zhou scratched his head, "That's right, sometimes I don't feel that I sleep deep enough." ”
Dr. Zhao went on to explain, "Alcohol may also affect heart health and increase the risk of heart disease. Then there is the effect on sleep. While many people think that drinking some alcohol will make it better to fall asleep, alcohol can actually interfere with deep sleep, making it difficult to get quality rest. ”
"Yes, that's one of the possible reasons. Dr. Zhao nodded and continued, "Let's talk about the effects of long-term drinking on bones. Alcohol interferes with calcium absorption and the formation of new bone in the body, which can increase the risk of fractures in the long run. ”
Dr. Zhao paused for a moment to observe Uncle Zhou's reaction. Uncle Zhou frowned, obviously a little worried. "Don't worry too much, Uncle Zhou. The key is to control the quantity. Let's take a look at the other cases. ”
Dr. Zhao switched to another file on his computer, "This is a patient of mine not long ago, who is about the same age as you and has been drinking for a long time. He started to have some mild memory problems, and we had a thorough examination of him and found that his brain health was affected. ”
"Alcohol can have both direct and indirect effects on the brain, especially if you drink alcohol for a long time. It can cause changes in the structure of the brain, which have a negative effect on memory and cognitive function. ”
"However, the effects are reversible to a certain extent, and these symptoms can be slowed or even improved if alcohol intake is appropriately reduced." ”
Uncle Zhou looked a little thoughtful after hearing this, and he nodded lightly, obviously considering Dr. Zhao's suggestion. Dr. Zhao continued, "The effects of alcohol on the gastrointestinal tract. Long-term alcohol consumption may cause damage to the gastric mucosa, causing gastritis and even gastric ulcers. ”
"Is there any way to alleviate these problems?" Dr. Zhao replied, "The key is to reduce your alcohol intake while maintaining a good diet, eating more fiber-rich foods and less greasy and irritating foods." Increasing physical activity in moderation is also very helpful in promoting gastrointestinal health. ”
"Lao Zhou, let's finally talk about an issue that is often overlooked - the effect of alcohol on the skin. "You may have noticed that people who drink alcohol for a long time have some redness on their skin, and this is because alcohol causes blood vessels to dilate. ”
Alcohol can also interfere with the body's absorption of certain important vitamins, such as vitamin A, which is essential for skin health. Uncle Zhou seemed to have fully engaged in Dr. Zhao's explanation at this time, and his face showed an expression of surprise and seriousness.
Dr. Zhao's words seemed to open a window for him to see the other side of his long-term habits. "Thank you, Dr. Zhao, for what you told me today, which made me think a lot. Uncle Zhou stood up and prepared to leave the consultation room.
After Uncle Zhou left, Dr. Zhao pondered the conversation just now. Although Uncle Zhou's cases are common, everyone's reaction and need for attention are different. He decided to continue his research to provide more accurate health guidance for more patients like Uncle Zhou.
What do you think about drinking?