I’m a nutritionist, and these are the 6 red flags that you need to cut back on alcohol because it’s causing permanent damage to your eyes.
BOOZE is often associated with celebrations.
One expert, however, suggests cutting back if you find that alcohol is becoming a regular part of your life.
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It’s well known that drinking too much alcohol can give you a headache, but nutritional therapist Hannah Braye warned that it can also have serious negative effects on your body overall.
Males and females, respectively, are advised not to regularly consume more than 14 units of alcohol per week by the NHS.
That’s about the same as six glasses of wine or six pints of beer at 4% alcohol by volume.
Even though recommendations state that there is no safe level of alcohol consumption, keeping to these limits reduces the risk of harming your health and should be spread out over at least three days.
However, it’s easy to drink too much; a nutritional therapist at BioKult named Hannah spoke to Sun Health about the six warning signs to look out for if you think your drinking is out of hand.
1. Bloated
Drinking alcohol may be having a negative effect on your digestive system if you frequently experience bloating, as suggested by Hannah.
Alcohol may have a major impact on the beneficial bacteria already present in our colon, potentially disrupting our normal gut flora.
Therefore, it may be beneficial to increase the healthy bacteria, protect the lining of our digestive tract, and enhance the removal of toxins by taking a live bacteria supplement before going out and again in the morning.
She went on to say that while bleeding might seem like a minor inconvenience, it could actually be an indicator of more serious damage.
The professional advised seeking medical attention if the problem persisted.
2. Feeling sick
According to Hannah, excessive alcohol consumption can lower resistance to disease and increase the frequency with which one becomes ill.
“Regular heavy alcohol consumption reduces the body’s natural ability to fight off disease.
As the first line of defense against foreign invaders, “these cells play a crucial role in our system.”
Hannah warned that excessive alcohol consumption increases the risk of contracting infections and diseases.
In order to improve one’s mood and general health, Hannah suggests cutting oneself off after a few spaced-out drinks or generally reducing one’s alcohol consumption.
3. Trouble sleeping
A lot of people toss and turn all night, making it difficult for them to get the recommended seven to eight hours of sleep.
And Hannah warned that the alcohol in your system could disrupt your sleep.
“Getting a good night’s sleep is very important to your health. It’s on par with maintaining a healthy diet and regular exercise schedule.
Despite its sedative effects, alcohol has been linked to problems sleeping, such as insomnia.
If you’re having trouble falling asleep or staying asleep, your alcohol consumption may be to blame, the expert said.
So, while you may look forward to a drink after a long day, Hannah warns that excessive alcohol consumption can lead to sleep issues.
How to get help with your booze
There is an abundance of information and tools available to help you overcome your drinking problems.
For the Drinkline, dial 0300 123 1110 (open M-F 9-5 and Sa 11-4).
A.A. is a fellowship of sober people who support one another through a 12 step program of action at no cost.
Family and friends of alcoholics and addicts can find support at Al-Anon, a fellowship that meets weekly.
Adfam is a nationwide organization that helps families who have been impacted by drug and alcohol use.
If you or someone you know is a child of an alcoholic, please call the National Association for Children of Alcoholics (Nacoa) at 0800 358 3456.
4. Skin issues
Hannah warns that excessive alcohol consumption can exacerbate preexisting skin conditions and increase vulnerability to potentially harmful problems.
You can curb your drinking habits before they do permanent damage to your health if you pay attention to the early warning symptoms of alcohol skin disorders.
The skin damage caused by alcohol consumption typically becomes apparent before internal organ damage becomes permanent.
She also mentioned that “alcohol can cause the skin to become dry,” which in turn increases the likelihood of wrinkles and fine lines appearing.
5. Dental problems
Hannah warned that excessive alcohol consumption significantly increased the risk of plaque development and tooth damage.
According to the specialist, sugary foods and drinks feed the bacteria in your mouth, which then attacks and destroys your enamel.
If you want to keep your breath fresh while drinking, it’s best to either drink less alcohol or water in between alcoholic drinks.
“Excessive alcohol consumption can irritate oral tissues, leading to more serious issues such as tooth loss, as well as increasing the risk of dental decay, gum disease, and discolored teeth.”
6. Vision issues
The effects of alcohol on the brain and the eyes are well known to anyone who has ever had too much to drink.
According to Hannah, this is usually temporary and disappears as quickly as your hangover and headache.
Heavy drinking is a known cause of serious eye problems. Discomfort, irritation, and a loss of focus in addition to a bloodshot appearance due to dilated blood vessels in the eyes could develop.
While these effects are temporary, chronic alcohol abuse can cause irreversible damage to the optic nerves, which control the flow of information from the eyes to the brain.
