Latest news with #AlcoholAwarenessWeek
The Herald Scotland
6 hours ago
- Health
- The Herald Scotland
Time to challenge normalisation of drinking at work events, medics say
A partnership of the Medical Royal Colleges and the Faculty of Public Health in Scotland and based at the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh, SHAAP was set up in 2006 to combat the escalation in alcohol-related health damage in Scotland. It provides the authoritative clinical voice on how policy makers and clinicians can reduce alcohol-related harms in Scotland. Scotland continues to face a significant alcohol problem, with adults who drink alcohol consuming an average of 21.6 units per week, according to the most recent Public Health Scotland figures. This is more than 50% above the Chief Medical Officers' safe drinking guidelines of 14 for both men and women. READ MORE: Swinney urged to act in bid to reverse near-record alcohol deaths Programme for Government: Alcohol ban on trains to end Scotland's drug and alcohol deaths remain among worst in Europe Meanwhile, according to research, the cost of workplace hangovers to the UK economy has been calculated at £1.2bn to £1.4bn a year. Official statistics also show that employed people are more likely to drink heavily than unemployed people - and and that the proportion of workers drinking excessively is highest in managerial and professional occupations, where about a third of staff report heavy drinking. SHAAP has produced advice for heavy drinkers who are thinking about cutting back or stopping drinking alcohol which can be accessed by any employer. Dr Alastair MacGilchrist, Chair of SHAAP, commented: "Alcohol can often be present at work-related events such as socials, networking and conferences and fears about peer pressure, performance and fitting in can make people feel like they have no choice but to drink. Employers have a duty of care to ensure that no one feels pressured to drink alcohol and having robust alcohol policies for every workplace is essential. This Alcohol Awareness Week, SHAAP is encouraging employers to look at their own practices and consider whether alcohol is being prioritised over health and wellbeing. Alcohol deaths have increased to highest level in 15 years (Image: PA) 'We also need a national conversation about the role alcohol plays in the workplace. The evidence is clear that it negatively affects productivity and leads to lost working hours, while causing serious health problems among working age people. It can also lower inhibitions, causing people to behave inappropriately, which can lead to stress, anxiety and even the loss of employment. 'Despite these known harms, drinking has become normalised at work events. It's time to challenge this and ask the question: should an intoxicating, health-harming substance like alcohol really be a part of work?' Last year, SHAAP called upon the Scottish Government to ban alcohol sponsorship and advertising in sport, arguing there is a duty to protect vulnerable groups from exposure to a 'health-harming product'. Elinor Jayne, who leads SHAAP, said it is unfair on vulnerable groups such as recovering alcoholics and young people to be exposed to alcohol advertising when they are watching or attending sports such as football. Furthermore, she shared her belief that the prevalence of such marketing contributes to an increase in consumption across the general population, running contrary to the Scottish Government's stated aim of reducing alcohol intake in Scotland. She said: All the evidence from the World Health Organisation and elsewhere suggests that if the government do want to protect our health, they do have to take measures such as banning sports sponsorship by the alcohol industry. 'When you change something like this it is difficult to imagine what it is going to be like, but sometimes you've got to be brave and have a bit of political leadership on issues like this if we are to try and reset our relationship with alcohol. 'That is something we desperately need to do, and we can't just rest on one policy alone like minimum unit pricing. We need to shift the whole lot and take forward measures like banning sports sponsorship by alcohol companies.'
Daily Mirror
20 hours ago
- Health
- Daily Mirror
Mixing sunny days and alcoholic beverages could take a toll on your health
While sunshine and alcohol seem like a match made in heaven to many of us, the combination can have some unexpected, and potentially harmful, effects on your health We Brits are known for our love of a chilled bevvy as soon as the sun makes an appearance – be it a can in the park or a pint in the pub garden. However, while basking in the sun with a drink in hand may seem like the perfect summer scenario to many, this combination can have some surprising and potentially damaging effects on your health. From accelerating dehydration to heightening your risk of sunburn and impairing judgement in the heat, the consequences of mixing sunshine and alcohol are more serious than most realise. In light of Alcohol Awareness Week (July 7–13), the following advice from experts will help you - and us - understand exactly what impact drinking in the sun can have on our bodies, and have compiled some handy tips to help mitigate these risks. Dehydration "Dehydration is the main culprit when it comes to consuming alcohol in the sunshine, leading to unpleasant symptoms such as headaches, dizziness, nausea and fatigue, and in some instances requiring medical intervention," points out Dr Richard Piper, CEO of Alcohol Change UK. Dr Ajay Bagga, senior GP leader at Nuffield Health, concurs and elaborates: "This is because alcohol functions as a diuretic, causing you to urinate more and lose vital fluids. Combine this with sweating from the heat, and the risk of dehydration escalates rapidly." On particularly hot days, Piper emphasises that the safest course of action is to abstain from alcohol entirely. However, if that's not feasible, he suggests alternating between alcoholic drinks and water. "This method, known as zebra striping, slows down our alcohol consumption and keeps us topped up with the fluids we need to prevent the dehydration double whammy of alcohol and hot weather," explains Piper. "If it's really hot, consider two glasses of water for one glass of alcohol." Bagga also suggests always having a refillable water bottle on hand during the summer months and taking regular sips, even if you're not feeling parched. Heat stroke and heat exhaustion Heatwaves can be perilous in their own right – and adding alcohol into the equation can further heighten your risk of heat exhaustion or heat stroke. "Alcohol impairs your body's ability to sense and regulate temperature," explains Bagga. "Combined with high heat, this can lead to heat exhaustion – or worse, heat stroke, which can be life-threatening." To help mitigate this risk, try to stay in the shade during peak UV times, when the sun's rays are at their most potent. "Minimise this risk by avoiding alcohol during the hottest part of the day (typically 11am–3pm) and sticking to shaded or air-conditioned areas," advises Bagga. "If you feel dizzy, confused, or nauseous, stop drinking immediately and seek shade, hydration or medical attention if needed." Sleep Excessive heat and alcohol can adversely affect both the quantity and quality of our sleep. "While the sleep-inducing effect of booze can help us drop off, alcohol suppresses the Rapid Eye Movement (REM) part of our sleep cycle, which makes for a less restful slumber," says Piper. "Put all of this together and we can wake up feeling more tired than when we went to bed; and with a sore head to boot. One of the most effective ways to prevent alcohol from wreaking havoc on our sleep is to stop drinking earlier in the day." "Stopping drinking earlier in the day and only having water after, say 9pm, can help prevent alcohol from playing too much havoc with our sleep in the hot weather," said Piper, advising moderation for better Z's. "We can also keep track of how much alcohol we're consuming throughout the day using an app like Try Dry. "By logging our drinks, we can see how many units we've consumed and decide to call time on our boozing and rehydrate earlier before we go to bed, hopefully enabling a more restful night's sleep," he adds. Sunburn and skin damage "Alcohol lowers your awareness, meaning you might forget to reapply sunscreen or stay in the sun too long," warns Bagga, linking booze to increased risk of sunburn. "It also widens blood vessels, increasing your skin's sensitivity to UV damage." The experts stress the importance of diligent sun protection: "Apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher before heading out and reapply every two hours," Bagga recommends, cautioning against overestimating cloud cover. "Don't rely on clouds for protection, UV rays can still cause damage on overcast days." Impaired judgement and increased injury risk "Many summer activities can involve physical movement and potential hazards such as water sports or rooftop gatherings," Bagga points out. "Alcohol impairs coordination and decision-making, increasing the likelihood of accidents or injury. "Minimise this risk by never mixing alcohol with swimming, boating, or cycling and keep at least one sober person in your group who can assist in case of emergencies." Moreover, this summer could be the perfect opportunity to explore some non-alcoholic alternatives. "While booze and hot weather might trigger associations for us, we don't have to act on those associations like Pavlov's dogs," suggests Piper. "Enjoy a cold alcohol-free beer and keep drinking plenty of water, and you'll feel a whole lot better."
Daily Record
6 days ago
- Health
- Daily Record
Exactly how many beers it takes to get a hangover according to a doctor
A doctor has explained the immediate impact that alcohol has on the body, as she warned people to be wary of how much they are drinking. A doctor has shared exactly how many drinks a person needs to consume to experience a hangover the next day, warning that taking it too far can result in poisoning. The expert warns that it doesn't take much for alcohol to affect the nervous system and brain. For many Britons, consuming alcohol is a routine aspect of life. A survey conducted by YouGov revealed that approximately 82 per cent of individuals in the UK admit to drinking. Data from 2022 indicates that six per cent of British adults have an alcoholic beverage daily, while another four per cent drink five or six days a week. One in seven (14 per cent) indulge three or four days a week, 23 per cent enjoy a tipple one or two days a week, while one in three (33 per cent) claim they drink less frequently. Despite the common knowledge that alcohol consumption can negatively impact our health, it remains a prevalent habit. Ahead of Alcohol Awareness Week on July 7, a medical professional explained more about the immediate effects of alcohol on the body. Doctor Bhavini Shah, a GP at LloydsPharmacy Online Doctor, shared the various stages of alcohol consumption. "One or two units of alcohol increases the heart rate, expands blood vessels, and gives a slight 'buzz' which commonly makes people feel more sociable or talkative," she explained. As reported by The Mirror, one unit equates to 10ml or eight grams of pure alcohol, roughly the amount the average adult can metabolise in an hour. The quantity of units in an alcoholic beverage is determined by the drink's size and its alcohol content. For instance, according to the NHS, a pint of high-strength lager carries three units of alcohol, while the same amount of a weaker lager contains just over two units. Dr Shah continued: "After four to six units, alcohol begins to impact your nervous system, decreasing reaction time and affecting areas of the brain associated with decision making, resulting in poorer judgement and potentially more reckless behaviour." The onset of a hangover typically occurs at around eight units. This equates to approximately four pints of low-strength cider or beer (3.6 per cent) or four standard 175ml glasses of wine. "After eight units, your vision and sleep will be affected and you will have consumed more alcohol than your liver can process in one night, resulting in a hangover," explained Dr Shah. "And after ten units, your coordination will be highly impaired and you can expect symptoms of nausea, diarrhoea, and vomiting, as well as dehydration and headaches." Nonetheless, consuming eight or more units of alcohol is categorised as "binge drinking" for the average man, and six or more units for women. The NHS advises that adults should not regularly exceed 14 units of alcohol per week. It advises: "Spread your drinking over three or more days if you regularly drink as much as 14 units a week." Dr Shah added that, "after 12 units, you are at great risk of alcohol poisoning." How to eliminate alcohol from your system Dr Shah explained: "Your body will metabolise alcohol at its own rate and there is not much evidence that you can speed up this natural process. However, there are steps you can take to reduce the symptoms of your hangover. "Going to sleep is a good way to let your body naturally remove alcohol from your system by itself. Drinking water is also essential as it will prevent the dehydrating effects of the alcohol and reduce the impact of headaches. "You should also try to eat bland foods as these will increase your blood sugar without upsetting your stomach." For guidance on reducing alcohol consumption, visit the NHS website here.
Daily Mirror
6 days ago
- Health
- Daily Mirror
GP shares how many drinks it takes to get a hangover
Binge drinking can be dangerous for the body - and it can take fewer drinks than you might expect A GP has revealed exactly how many drinks a person needs to consume to experience a hangover the next day, warning that taking it too far can result in poisoning. According to the expert, it doesn't take long for alcohol to impair the nervous system and brain. Drinking alcohol is a regular part of life for many Brits. A poll conducted by YouGov shows that around 82 per cent of people in the UK say they drink. Findings from 2022 showed that six per cent of British adults above have an alcoholic drink every day, while another four per cent drink five or six days a week. One in seven (14 per cent) drink on three or four days out of the week, 23 per cent drink alcohol on one or two days, while one in three (33 per cent) say they have alcohol less often (but do still drink). While we are all aware that drinking has a negative impact on our health, it remains a popular habit. Ahead of Alcohol Awareness Week on July 7, a doctor shared more about the immediate impact it actually has on the body. Doctor Bhavini Shah, GP at LloydsPharmacy Online Doctor, explained the different stages of drinking. 'One or two units of alcohol increases the heart rate, expands blood vessels, and gives a slight 'buzz' which commonly makes people feel more sociable or talkative,' she said. One unit equals 10ml or eight grams of pure alcohol, which is around the amount of alcohol the average adult can process in an hour. The number of units in a drink is based on the size of the drink, as well as its alcohol strength. For example, the NHS states that a pint of strong lager contains three units of alcohol, whereas the same volume of lower-strength lager has just over two units. Dr Shah continued: 'After four to six units, alcohol begins to impact your nervous system, decreasing reaction time and affecting areas of the brain associated with decision making, resulting in poorer judgement and potentially more reckless behaviour.' At around eight units is where the average person can expect a hangover. This is equal to around four pints of low-strength cider or beer (3.6 per cent) or four standard glasses of wine (175ml). 'After eight units, your vision and sleep will be affected and you will have consumed more alcohol than your liver can process in one night, resulting in a hangover,' Dr Shah said. 'And after ten units, your coordination will be highly impaired and you can expect symptoms of nausea, diarrhoea, and vomiting, as well as dehydration and headaches.' However, drinking eight or more units of alcohol is considered 'binge drinking' for the average man, while six or more is considered a binge for women. The NHS states that adults should not be drinking more than 14 units a week on a regular basis. It advises: 'Spread your drinking over three or more days if you regularly drink as much as 14 units a week.' Dr Shah added that, 'after 12 units, you are at great risk of alcohol poisoning.' How to get rid of alcohol in your system Dr Shah said: 'Your body will metabolise alcohol at its own rate and there is not much evidence that you can speed up this natural process. However, there are steps you can take to reduce the symptoms of your hangover. 'Going to sleep is a good way to let your body naturally remove alcohol from your system by itself. Drinking water is also essential as it will prevent the dehydrating effects of the alcohol and reduce the impact of headaches. 'You should also try to eat bland foods as these will increase your blood sugar without upsetting your stomach.' For advice on cutting back on alcohol, visit the NHS website here.
