Silent Signals: Are You Missing the Signs of a Loved One’s Alcohol Problem?
London, UK -โค A concerning number of alcohol-related health issues go unnoticed, oftenโฃ masked by subtle changes in behavior and physicalโข wellbeing, โexperts warn. Recognizing theseโค early indicators is crucial, as problems can escalate silently, potentially leading to serious health consequences like heart attack orโ stroke.
While โฃexcessive drinking is often associated with obvious signs,doctorsโ sayโข the initial stages of a developing alcohol problem can be surprisingly easy to miss. “High cholesterol and an increased heart rate are โsigns we might be drinking too much,” explains dr. Piper. However, these conditions frequently don’t present noticeableโข symptoms untilโค they trigger a more severe โขmedical event. Individuals can get their cholesterol and โคblood pressure measured through the NHS by โconsulting their GP.
One key indicatorโฃ is a growing emotional reliance on alcohol. According to Dr. Powles, a telltale sign โคis being unable to envisionโ enjoyment without it, with alcohol becoming “the center of every occasion.” someโฃ individuals may boast about their high tolerance, but Dr. Kazim Dhanji, a GP at The Birmingham General Practice, clarifies this actually signifies a need for increasing amounts of alcohol to achieve the same effect.
Physical symptomsโฃ can also emerge. Anxiety and restlessness when not drinking, coupled withโค excessive sweating,โฃ are common withdrawal symptoms indicating the body has become dependent. “Although not all of these will โbe observable to โthe average person, such asโ a fast heartbeat, there are some things you can look out for,”โ dr. Powles says.
Dr. Piper stresses the seriousness of โwithdrawal symptoms, stating, “If you โexperience shaking, hallucinations, sweating or severeโ headaches a few โhours after you stop drinking alcohol, you should go to A&E or โคcall 999, because sudden alcohol withdrawal can be fatal.”
Theโฃ Long-Term Risks
Regularly exceeding 14 units of alcohol per week over a period of 10 to 20 years can significantly increase the risk of serious health problems. These include mouth,โ throat,โค and breast cancer, stroke, brain damage, and heart and liverโข disease. “These are not โคall visible, such as liver damage and cardiovascular issues,” Dr.Piper โnotes, highlighting the importance of mindful drinking and understanding alcoholโข units as a vital health tool.
