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Results for search "Alcohol: Misc.".

13 Jun

Binge Drinking on the Rise in Adults, Study Warns

Moderate drinkers who binge alcohol are more likely to develop alcohol-related problems than moderate drinkers who don’t binge, researchers find.

Health News Results - 151

Drinking & Driving in the Senior Years: A Recipe for Disaster

Older drivers using alcohol or drugs are much more likely to be at fault in a car crash.

Researchers studying the issue say that calls for sober-driving campaigns aimed at seniors.

"Our research shows just how much aging increases the risk of being at fault for injury or fatality in a drug- or alcohol-related traffic accident," said lead author

  • Cara Murez HealthDay Reporter
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  • April 28, 2023
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  • Drinking Alcohol Brings No Health Benefits, Study Finds

    Dozens of studies have purportedly shown that a daily glass of wine or mug of beer could reduce your risk of heart disease and death.

    But these studies are flawed, a new evidence review asserts, and the potential health benefits of moderate alcohol use vanish when those flaws and biases are taken into account.

    At best, a drink or two each day has no effect good or ill on a person's ...

    Alcohol Might Speed Alzheimer's Progress in Brain, Animal Study Suggests

    Even modest drinking can speed up the loss of brain cells and formation of the plaques that are a hallmark of Alzheimer's disease, research in mice shows.

    These plaques are an accumulation of toxic proteins.

    “These findings suggest alcohol might accelerate the pathological cascade of Alzheimer's disease in its early stages,” said study co-author

  • Cara Murez HealthDay Reporter
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  • February 22, 2023
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  • How a 'Dry January' Could Help Your Health

    Having a “dry January,” or giving up alcohol for the first month of the year, is a trend.

    And it's not a bad idea, according to a drug and alcohol rehab counselor with Cleveland Clinic in Ohio.

    Not consuming alcohol can have many health benefits, said Alan Berki, ...

    'Holiday Heart':  Heart Attacks Spike in Last 2 Weeks of December

    The holiday season is filled with to-do lists, but one should rise to the top: Take care of your heart.

    Whether from stress, cold weather or falling out of good habits in terms of eating, sleeping and drinking, heart attack rates spike as much as 40% between Christmas and New Year's, according to cardiologist

  • Cara Murez HealthDay Reporter
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  • December 19, 2022
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  • Odds for Early Death Rise After Severe Injury Linked to Alcohol

    Before you toast the holiday season with too much alcohol, here's a sobering thought.

    Folks who get injured severely enough while intoxicated to require hospital treatment are five times more likely to die in the coming year, according to new research published in Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs<...

    Few Americans Understand Alcohol's Impact on Cancer Risk: Survey

    Alcohol increases the risk of cancer, but some Americans think it does the opposite, a new study shows.

    Researchers set out to understand people's awareness of the links between alcohol and cancer, finding that many would benefit from further education on the issue.

    “All types of alcoholic beverages, including wine, increase cancer risk,” said senior study author

  • Cara Murez HealthDay Reporter
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  • December 2, 2022
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  • Fatal Drug Overdoses Among U.S. Seniors Have Tripled Since 2000

    Growing numbers of older Americans are dying from drug overdoses and alcohol abuse.

    That's the tragic takeaway from two new reports by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

    More than 5,000 people aged 65 and older in the United States died of a drug overdose in 2020, and this number has tripled since 2000, according to

  • Denise Mann HealthDay Reporter
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  • November 30, 2022
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  • Even a Little Drinking in Pregnancy Can Reshape Fetal Brain

    Exposure to even low levels of alcohol while in the womb can change the structure of the fetus' brain, according to Austrian researchers.

    The study results suggest that pregnant women should strictly avoid alcohol, one author said.

    “Unfortunately, many pregnant women are unaware of the influenc...

    Alcohol to Blame for 1 in 5 Young Adult Deaths in U.S.

    For anyone who thinks alcoholism isn't a deadly disease, a new government report shows alcohol abuse caused nearly 13% of deaths in American adults under 65 between 2015 and 2019.

    The statistics were even more grim among younger U.S. adults: In people aged 20 to 49, alcohol abuse was the cause of 20% of deaths.

    "States and communities can prevent these premature deaths using eviden...

    Magic Mushroom Hallucinogen May Treat Problem Drinking

    Jon Kostas, a lifelong resident of New York City, started bar-hopping at age 13. At the height of his alcoholism, he was consuming as many as 30 drinks a night.

    Desperate for a way out, Kostas, 32, turned to a new therapy: psilocybin -- the psychedelic compound found in so-cal...

    Use of Pot, Hallucinogens Soaring Among Young Americans

    Marijuana and hallucinogen use are at an all-time high among young adults, U.S. health officials reported Monday.

    Compared to five or 10 years ago, the use of these drugs over the past year has risen significantly among 19- to 30-year-olds, according to the Monitoring the Future panel study. The new dat...

    Even a Drink a Day Might Raise Brain Risks

    Even moderate drinking may be related to higher iron levels in the brain - a potentially risky situation for memory and thinking skills, a new study suggests.

    Researchers found that among nearly 21,000 middle-aged and older adults, those who drank as little as a few beers a week sh...

    More Evidence Uber, Lyft Are Reducing Drunk Driving Crashes

    Using ride-sharing services such as Uber and Lyft can reduce the number of impaired drivers on the roads, potentially leading to fewer alcohol-related crashes, a new research review confirms.

    Review author Christopher Morrison, who studies drinking and the problems it spawns, including assaults, drunken driving and crashes, said the evidence is clear.

    "One way to prevent these probl...

    Beer Might Do a Man's 'Microbiome' Good

    Putting a new spin on the term "beer gut," a small study suggests that a bottle a day may do a man's gut bacteria some good.

    In a clinical trial of 19 healthy men, researchers found that a daily bottle of beer - alcoholic or non-alcoholic - changed the composition of the men's gut bacteria over four weeks...

    Weekend Binge Drinking: Not as Harmless as You Think

    Many may consider an episode of binge drinking -- defined as 5 or more drinks on one occasion --- as just being harmless fun. But a new study suggests that even moderate drinkers who indulge in binge drinking can suffer lasting consequences.

    Researchers found that among people who typically drank at moderate levels, those who sometimes binged were at increased risk of alcohol-related prob...

    Major Head Trauma May Up Risks for Dementia

    People who've had a major traumatic brain injury (TBI) may be at increased risk for dementia, according to a new study.

    "Approximately 1 in 10 people in our study who had major TBI did develop dementia," said study co-author Dr. Rahul Raj, ...

    How Too Much Drinking Harms the Liver

    As Americans stepped up their drinking during the COVID-19 pandemic, liver disease and transplants surged.

    Between March 2020 and January 2021, the number of U.S. patients with alcohol-associated liver disease who received a new liver or were wait-listed for a transplant was 50% higher than pre-pandemic projections, researchers say.

  • By Robert Preidt HealthDay Reporter
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  • April 16, 2022
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  • Will a Little Drinking Help Your Heart? Maybe Not

    If you believe an occasional tipple is good for your heart, a new study may make you reconsider the notion.

    Some previous research has suggested that light drinking may benefit the heart, but this large study concluded that any amount of drinki...

    Even a Little Drinking Ages the Brain: Study

    There is no amount of alcohol that is good for your brain.

    So claims a new study that found even light to moderate drinking can age the brain faster than normal.

    Previous research has shown that heavy drinkers have changes in brain structure and size that are associated with thinking and <...

    Could a Little Wine at Mealtimes Cut Your Odds for Type 2 Diabetes?

    Feel free to open a bottle of your favorite vintage: If you time it right, a little wine might help guard against type 2 diabetes.

    A new study suggests that a small glass with dinner may lower the chances of being diagnosed with the blood sugar disease.

    Exactly how small? About half an ounce of wine for wom...

    Driving Both High and Drunk More Dangerous Than Either Alone: Study

    The hazards of drunken driving are well known, and a new research review shows that adding pot to the mix only makes matters worse.

    The analysis of 57 past studies found that the combination of alcohol and marijua...

    Most Americans Don't Know Alcohol Can Raise Cancer Risk

    Most American adults don't know that alcohol boosts cancer risk, but a majority support steps to increase awareness of the link, a new nationwide survey shows.

    ""It is important that people are made fully aware of the potential harms of alcohol so that they may make informed decisions about alcohol consumption," said study author Kara Wiseman. She's an assistant professor of public health...

    More Folks Drive High When Pot Made Legal: Study

    Here's more evidence that marijuana may make driving more dangerous: As pot has been legalized in more countries and states, a greater number of people are driving intoxicated by the drug and crashing, researchers report.

    THC, the active ingredient in cannabis, has been detected in twice as many injured Canadian drivers since 2018, when

  • Steven Reinberg HealthDay Reporter
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  • January 13, 2022
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  • Could Binge Drinking Set Your Heart Rhythm Off-Kilter?

    Binge drinking on Super Bowl Sunday or other special occasions could put you at risk for a dangerous heart rhythm disorder called atrial fibrillation (a-fib), even if you've never had it, researchers warn in a new study.

    "Worldwide, alcohol is the most popularly consumed drug, and it now is clear that alcohol consumption is an important risk factor for atrial fibrillation," said senior au...

    There Are No Hangover Cures, Scientists Say

    Here's a lesson many may have already learned over the past weekend: Don't count on ginseng, probiotics or any other so-called hangover cures.

    No evidence suggests hangover cures work, according to British scientists who studied nearly two dozen trials of these cure products. Their review was published Dec. 31 in the journal Addiction.

    "Our study has found that evidence on ...

    Too Much Auld Lang Syne: Avoiding That New Year's Hangover

    Party people should think twice before relying on a fly-by-night remedy to cure the hangover they suffer from a New Year's Eve bender, warns an ER doc based in the Big Apple.

    "There are a plethora of hangover products on the market that tout the ability to reduce the chances of or prevent a hangover altogether after a night of heavy drinking. But, in truth, the only proven way to prevent ...

    Heavier Drinking During Pandemic Means More Liver Disease to Come

    It's clear that COVID-19 has killed many hundreds of thousands of people in the United States. Less clear is its impact on other health issues, which will be felt in the years to come.

    Liver disease is projected to be one of those, with 8,000 additional deaths from

    Don't Let Heartburn Ruin Your Holiday Feast

    Like Mr. Grinch, heartburn can crush your holiday, but there are easy ways to prevent it.

    "Heartburn is caused by acidic stomach content moving into the esophagus, or gullet, which is much less resistant to acid," said Dr. James East, a gastroenterologist at Mayo Clinic Healthcare in London. "This results in irritation and damage to the lining of the esophagus, literally a burn, that caus...

    Pandemic Saw Big Declines in Kids' Use of Drugs, Alcohol, Vaping

    There may be a silver lining to the COVID-19 pandemic, with U.S. health officials reporting an "unprecedented" decline in teens' use of alcohol, marijuana, other illegal drugs and vaping.

    "We have never seen such dramatic decreases in drug use among teens in just a one-year period," said Dr. Nora Volkow, director of the U.S. National Institute on Drug Abuse.

    "These data are unpreced...

    Stress May Be Stronger Trigger for Problem Drinking in Women Than Men

    When someone says "I need a drink," it's usually because they've had a rough day. Now, new research suggests that stress is more likely to trigger heavy drinking in women than in men.

    "Some people can intend to have one or two alcoholic beverages and stop drinking, but other people just keep going," said study leader Julie Patock-Peckham. She's head of the Social Addictions Impulse Lab at...

    Half of Drinkers Who Think They're Fit to Drive Are Wrong: Study

    If you think you're fine to drive after drinking, there's a good chance you're wrong, new research shows.

    The study found that despite being over the legal driving limit, half of the participants believed they were safe to drive.

    The study included 90 volunteers, average age 24, in Germany who drank either wine or beer until they reached a maximum breath alcohol concentration (BrAC)...

    Your Plant-Based Diet Could Really Help the Planet

    Worried about climate change? You can do something about it every time you lift your fork, a new study suggests.

    Folks can reduce their personal carbon footprint by eating less red meat, nibbling fewer sweets and cutting back on tea, coffee and booze, according to the findings.

    "We all want to do our bit to help save the planet," said senior researcher Darren Greenwood, a senior lec...

    Ridesharing Services May Be Lowering Drunk Driving Deaths

    Don't drive drunk. That's simple and obvious advice. And it appears ridesharing services are making it easier for people to take it.

    In a new study that looked at Chicago data, more rideshare trips meant fewer alcohol-involved crashes.

    "This study was designed to look specifically at drunk driver crashing," said study author Christopher Morrison.

    "When there are more rideshare...

    Demand for Liver Transplant Rises Sharply Among Older Americans

    More older folks are winding up on liver transplant waiting lists than ever before, as obesity and alcoholism supersede hepatitis C as the main cause of liver failure in the United States.

    The percentage of liver transplant candidates aged 65 or older rose from 9% in the early 2000s to 23% by 2020, researchers found. Most seniors' liver failure is due to fatty liver disease, in which exce...

    Knowing Your A-Fib Triggers Could Help You Avoid It: Study

    People suffering from dangerous abnormal heart rhythms can take matters into their own hands and figure out what is triggering their episodes, researchers report.

    Folks with atrial fibrillation (a-fib) were able to reduce their episodes of the irregular heartbeat by 40% by identifying and then avoiding the substances or activities that caused their heart to go herky-jerky, according to fi...

    Think a Little Alcohol Might Be Healthy? Think Again

    Wine lovers, beer drinkers and those who enjoy a martini now and then have long been told that moderate drinking beats total abstinence.

    Unfortunately, new German research is throwing some cold water on that advice, finding that premature death among non-drinkers is likely the result of unrelated health problems that have little to do with the decision to forgo Chardonnay or Tanqueray.

    Liver Transplants Soar as Some Americans Drink Their Way Through the Pandemic

    Demand for liver transplants among heavy drinking Americans surged during the COVID-19 pandemic, a new study shows.

    It found that the number of people with alcoholic hepatitis who received a new liver (32,320) or were put on a liver transplant waiting list (51,488) between March 2020 and January 2021 was 50% higher than what was expected based on pre-pandemic patterns, CNN report...

    Smoking, Drinking Gateway to Pot, Study Finds

    For those who smoke or drink, it's only a small step to marijuana, researchers report.

    "Legal consumption of alcohol and tobacco may directly increase the level of illicit drug use. However, the relationships are complex," said researcher Dr. Zoe Reed. She is a senior research associate in the Tobacco and Alcohol Research Group at the University of Bristol in the United Kingdom.

    The...

    Common Form of Liver Cancer on the Rise in Rural America

    Liver cancer is on the rise in rural America, but on a downswing in cities, new research shows.

    Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common type of liver cancer and the fastest-growing cause of cancer deaths in the United States. It's rising at an annual rate of nearly 6% in rural areas, approaching rates seen in cities, the study authors found.

    "Considering that one in five A...

    Do Your Genes Up Your Odds for Alcoholism? One Factor Cuts the Risk

    Even when genetics and personality are working against you, having a strong network of supportive friends and family may help lower alcoholism risk, researchers say.

    "Genes play an important role in alcohol use," stressed Jinni Su, an assistant professor of psychology at Arizona State University in Tempe, and lead author of a new study.

    But "genes are not our destiny," she added.

    'Holiday Heart': When Drinking Triggers Dangerous A-fib

    With Labor Day festivities approaching, you might want to think twice about that cocktail. Or at least you should avoid that second round, especially if you have a history of your heart beating irregularly.

    A new study appears to confirm the existence of "holiday heart syndrome" -- a higher risk of atrial fibrillation (a-fib), after even moderate drinking.

    While past studies have su...

    Half of Adults With ADHD Have Struggled With Alcohol, Drug Use

    Fully half of all young adults with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) may also battle alcohol or drug abuse.

    And folks with ADHD who have a history of depression or anxiety are particularly vulnerable to substance abuse problems, a new study showed.

    "People with ADHD may be self-medicating with drugs or alcohol to keep their depression under control, and of course, th...

    Drinking at Home: Liquor Store Sales Rose During Pandemic

    Americans did more drinking at home during the early months of the coronavirus pandemic, which researchers say may be linked to a rise in domestic violence and other problems.

    "Our results appear to substantiate an increase in home drinking during the period, which could potentially lead to higher alcohol consumption and alcohol-related adverse health outcomes," said study first author Dr...

    Heavy Drinking in Youth Could Harm Arteries

    The arteries of young people who drink stiffen sooner in their lives, which could increase their risk for heart disease and stroke later on, a British study reports.

    People's arteries naturally become less elastic with age, but certain factors -- including alcohol and tobacco use -- can speed up the process. This study included more than 1,600 people in the United Kingdom. Their alcohol u...

    College Freshmen Drank Less as Pandemic Began

    Here's an unexpected silver lining to the pandemic: New research shows there was a decline in overall drinking and binge drinking among U.S. college freshmen during the early months of the new coronavirus' spread across America.

    "We found that social factors, like social distancing and reductions in social support from friends, were associated with decreases in alcohol use among first-yea...

    Need a New Liver? Your Survival Odds May Depend on Race

    Black American liver transplant recipients have a lower survival rate than Hispanic or white patients, and a new study suggests that alcohol-related liver disease and insurance coverage are key reasons.

    "Our findings are a huge wake-up call that physicians and other health care professionals need to do better in delivering equitable care," said study leader Dr. Brian Lee, a liver transpla...

    Seniors Rarely Discuss Their Drinking With Their Doctors

    Plenty of seniors may struggle with problem drinking, but a new study shows that less than half of them discuss their alcohol use with their health care providers.

    "Older adults are at high risk for the harms of alcohol use, especially for those with existing chronic disease and who take prescribed medications," said lead study author Pia Mauro. That makes "discussions about alcohol with ...

    'Moderate' Drinking May Be Heart-Healthy

    Here's a reason to not feel guilty about drinking a glass of wine every evening: A new study suggests that people who drink moderately may have lower risks for both heart attack and stroke than teetotalers -- even when they have a history of heart issues.

    The researchers found that among over 48,000 people with previous cardiovascular trouble, those who drank the equivalent of a single dr...

    Alcohol Tied to 740,000 Cancer Cases Worldwide in 2020

    Let's not toast to this: Alcohol was linked with 740,000 new cancer cases globally in 2020, representing 4% of all newly diagnosed cases that year, researchers say.

    "Trends suggest that although there is a decrease in alcohol consumption per person in many European countries, alcohol use is on the rise in Asian countries such as China and India, and in sub-Saharan Africa," said study co-a...

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