Alcohol

[Abdulmajid]

I really don't follow Government health guidlines too much.

It is fairly obvious that eating greens and roughage is good for whilst one should limit salt and sugar etc.

But what harm can drinking too much alcohol really do in the long term to a person like me?

I easily exceed the 28 units for men each week. But my blood sugar levels, cholesteral and liver functions are tip top. My blood pressure is spot on target, my BMI is 25 and I never really get ill. I am as regular as clockwork, sleep like a stoned baby and can run a sub 5 minute mile. My skin and hair are perfect. And I have never actually NEEDED a drink in my life. I just enjoy it.

Are things happening to me or shall I continue to drink like a fish?

[tigwig]

I often wonder this myself! I would like to think it does you no harm unless you are truly an alcoholic and drink a bottle of whisky a day or something! Sadly though I do think it harms you and it does concern me but like you, me and my hubby drink alot (most nights). I have always had blood results that have come back fine too but maybe after years of doing this it will damage my liver. Either that or the Government just likes to scare people into stopping because of all the drunken morons there is.

[Drisgirl]

It can cause damage and I know that in a way your thread is as per usual tonque in cheek.However not to those who have lost someone through alcoholism.

I am lucky that I can give up -like I did lasyt year for 6mths and I didnt bat an eyelid but I do enjoy a drink.

However I had a very bad case of Hep A when I was 20 and was off work for what seemed like a lifetime and that has left me with a weakened liver so I have to be careful not to over indulge.Also had Jaundice when I was about 7 so seems thats my 'achilles heel'

My tests arent always that good but always err on the side of 'be careful' -its sucks specially when i know of people who sink gallons and get away with it.

Never mind -enjoy and I think we all know when we are hitting the bottle too much for the wrong reason-we have all done it --thats when to re-assess your intake.

[Ethel]

My cholesterol, sugars, blood pressure and everything else has always been fine too.

I have drank every day for years, but never 'needed' a drink. I never had hangovers and was never drunk or ill through alcohol.

I was getting severe nosebleeds and had routine blood tests nearly 2 years ago. The liver function test was so abnormal I was very close to irreversible liver failure. (Nose bleeds were nothing to do with it).

I looked and felt fine.

Thankfully my liver is now almost normal - I have regular blood tests, but I cannot risk drinking.


Your body, your choice

[Drisgirl]

Yeah in a way Ethel because i have never been told to stop but to err on the side of caution I think im safe -may be deluded -but I use it as a crutch when the times are tough -I know I shouldnt but it helps- at time - in the interim.

I felt fantastic when I gave up totally no side effects in fact felt better than ever then another bleeding thing comes along to knock you off your feet -I am actively helping myself deal with the problems which make me turn to alcohol as a crutch rather than just a pleasure.