The Short-Term Dangers of Excessive Alcohol Consumption

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NASSAU , BAHAMAS – Experts say as you have fun this holiday weekend, it’s also important to stay healthy.

Our Denielle Miller spoke to a lifestyle medicine physician at Doctors Hospital regarding the serious risks associated with excessive alcohol consumption.

From Family Island regattas to the Carnival Road March in New Providence, the Labour Day weekend is filled with celebratory events.

Most of these events see hundreds of locals and visitors enjoying alcoholic beverages.

Regrettably for some, the indulgence may turn into excess.

Dr. Blair Woodside-Adderley – Lifestyle Medicine Physician

“Short term this is within minutes or days of drinking alcohol we think of it as mental effects so you’re thinking of lack of coordination, poor judgement, risky behavior, confusion, stupor.”

These are the risks you can encounter by overconsuming alcohol, according to lifestyle medicine physician at Doctors Hospital, Dr. Blair Woodside-Adderley.

She also mentioned that the heat associated with outdoor activities creates a cocktail of complications.

Dr. Blair Woodside-Adderley – Lifestyle Medicine Physician

“Alcohol makes you dehydrated. Almost immediately, it’s one of the first things. It depresses something called ADH in the brain that kind of inhibits you from holding or retaining water.”

And the most detrimental of them all, vomit asphyxiation.

Dr. Blair Woodside-Adderley – Lifestyle Medicine Physician

“If you see someone’s vomitting put them on their side or even help them to vomit. So put your fingers down help them to eject whatever is in there.”