Do you know the ill effects of binge drinking?

Do you know the ill effects of binge drinking?

Last Reviewed : 01/08/2021
Do you know the ill effects of binge drinking?

According to the CDC report, binge drinking is a dangerous pattern of excessive alcohol consumption. For women, binge drinking is defined as having four or more drinks within a two-hour timeframe. For men, binge drinking is identified as having five or more drinks over two hours. Typically, the blood alcohol concentration (BAC) will rise to 0.08 percent or above after binge drinking.

Effects of binge drinking depend on the following:

  • The amount of alcohol one is drinking.
  • How quickly one is drinking.
  • Weight of the individual.
  • Gender (women generally have less body water than men; they reach a higher blood alcohol concentration level quicker).
  • Medications.

Health-related ill effects of binge drinking: It affects the process of homeostasis, alters the biological clock, changes in the heart rhythm, poor blood supply to the organs, elevates blood pressure, alters white blood cell activity and alters the mechanism of fertility, especially in females and brain damage.

  1. Heart: Heavy drinking can cause high blood pressure, irregular heartbeat, or sudden death from heart failure.
  2. Kidneys: Alcohol is a diuretic, which causes the kidneys to produce more urine. Excess urination alone or with vomiting can lead to dehydration and dangerously low levels of sodium, potassium, and other minerals and salts.
  3. Lungs: Alcohol inhibits the gag reflex, which can lead to vomit, saliva, or other substances entering the lungs. This can cause inflammation or infection in the lungs.
  4. Pancreas: A single session of heavy alcohol use can lead to dangerously low blood sugar (hypoglycemia).
  • Binge drinking is also associated with an increased risk of unplanned and unprotected sex, unplanned pregnancies, and an increased risk of HIV infection

Social Issues related to binge drinking: It has been emerging as a public health problem that needs to be addressed.

  • Binge drinking is associated with having poor social relationships.
  • Divorces.
  • Spousal abuse.
  • Poor job performance.
  • Poor satisfactory life.

Preventive tips to reduce binge drinking:

  • Limit the rate of alcohol consumption and also the overall amount of alcohol consumption.
  • Be mindful of alcohol effects on your body. Drinking alcohol on an empty stomach may have more impact than drinking alcohol after meals. When you are more conscious of how alcohol is affecting your body and mind, you may avoid excess alcohol consumption.
  • Try not to consume alcohol only to sedate you.
  • Setting a limit of number of drinks even before you start drinking helps you avoid heavy alcohol consumption.

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