Alcohol
use among active military and veterans is a major health issue.
Throughout military history, holding
one’s liquor has been akin to a “real soldier, on par with knowing how to
handle one’s weapon. Heavy drinking glamorized the culture of those
serving in uniform. Following active duty, veterans who served abused alcohol.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder was linked to battlefield experience.
Alcohol causes cancers of the esophagus,
mouth, pancreas, larynx, and liver. There is no risk-free level. The more
alcohol a person drinks, the higher the cancer risk. Alcoholic beverages
contain at least fifteen cancer-causing compounds. These include acetaldehyde,
acrylamide, aflatoxins, arsenic, benzene, cadmium, ethanol, ethyl carbamate,
formaldehyde, and lead. The most toxic alcohol product is acetaldehyde.
The
fine cilia of the esophagus can be be destroyed by high alcohol concentrations
in “hard liquor”. Smoking has long been established as a cancer risk factor.
Heavy smoking combined with heavy liquor is especially dangerous.
The
rate of ethanol metabolism is determined by genetics. Ingested ethanol is changed
to acetaldehyde, present in alcoholic beverages. Over time, acetaldehyde can cause
cancer of the throat, pharynx, mouth, esophagus, and larynx. Alcohol interacts with folate metabolism and inhibits
nutrient absorption from the gut. Poor absorption interacts with ethanol to
impair DNA. Alcohol
increases estrogen levels, which stimulate cell growth. Other cancer mechanisms include production of reactive
oxygen, nitrogen, and tobacco use. The mouth, intestines, liver, and esophagus have
the greatest risk for alcohol related cancer.
Avoiding
alcohol could prevent up to eighty percent of oral and ninety percent of larynx
cancer cases. Those who have health problems related to alcohol should quit all
forms of use. Warning labels should convey risks associated with alcohol in simple
language. Reduction of alcohol consumption is the cost-effective way to reduce disease.
The more
alcohol is consumed in any country, the more alcohol-related diseases occur. Price
and availability are tools to decrease consumption.
Price is regulated by taxation. Drunk-driving policies and health service measures
have some effect. Health information campaigns are valuable for control
measures. A return to prohibition isn’t necessary. Increased public awareness would
reduce risk. Patients should be informed and concerned about overall risk. Here
are strategies to reduce cost and
disease burdens.
Monitor
your alcohol intake ("know your number"). This is similar to knowing
your blood pressure, weight, Body Mass Index, cholesterol level, blood sugar, and
calorie intake. Limit alcohol consumption to twenty grams per day for men and
fifteen for women. This is about one and a half drinks for men and one drink
for women.
Less is
more. Lower alcohol consumption leads to better health and longer lifespan.
Take a day
off. Avoiding alcohol for one to two days weekly lowers risk.
“There is more
refreshment and stimulation in a nap, even of the briefest, than in all the
alcohol ever distilled.” Ovid.
