Think before you drink this Christmas party
AS THE Christmas party season begins, senior doctors across Yorkshire and the Humber are encouraging people to think before they drink to avoid more than just a hangover.
By watching what you drink and keeping in control you can not only avoid any regrettable moments but more importantly you can avoid other ill-effects of binge drinking.
Binge drinking, which experts consider as consuming eight or more units in a single session for men and six or more for women, can cause dehydration which is the main cause of a hangover as well as more serious effects such as increasing the risk of an accident and serious injury, being sick and choking.
Andrew Clarke, Acting Director of Public Health for NHS Yorkshire and the Humber, said: “Despite what many people might think it is possible to drink responsibly and have fun over the Christmas period.
“Start by trying to ensure that you don’t drink more than the recommended guidance, so women shouldn’t regularly exceed 2-3 units a day, and for men 3-4 units a day. If you’re unsure how much that is, it’s roughly a 175ml glass of wine for women and a pint and half of beer for men.
“Eating before you drink is also a good idea, so remember to eat a meal before the event itself.
“At the end of the day everyone likes to have fun over Christmas but binge drinking can affect your mood and your memory and in the longer term can lead to serious health problems.”
Simple tips to avoiding a hangover:
Don’t drink on an empty stomach - make room and time for food
Slow down dehydration by making sure every other drink is a glass of water or juice
Opt out of ‘rounds’ and drinking games - drink at your own pace
Try cutting down the amount you drink with a friend, as you’ll be more likely to stick to it with mutual moral support.
Pace yourself by taking small sips
Drink a pint of water before you go to sleep
Take extra care in the cold weather – alcohol can make you think that you’re warm because your skin is warm but your vital organs might not be.
Keep a check on how much alcohol you’re drinking over the festive period by having a go at the drinks tracker - visit www.nhs.uk/change4life and clicking on the ‘sneaky drinks’ tab in the top right hand corner.
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Weather for Goole
Tuesday 21 May 2013
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