About drinking

Until now, I think we have resumed exchanges with friends and work-related people who had refrained from self-restraint due to the COVID-19 infection.
However, if you have less chances of drinking for the past few years, it is dangerous to suddenly drink at the same amount and pace.

As the ability to decompose alcohol becomes weaker if you do not drink alcohol, "acute alcohol poisoning" occurs.

The risk increases.

Let's share prevention measures for acute alcohol poisoning with everyone and have a good time at the liquor seat after a long absence.

Acute alcohol poisoning is "acute alcohol poisoning is a condition in which the blood alcohol concentration rises sharply when drinking a large amount of alcohol in a short period of time and affects the brain.
Acute alcohol poisoning can cause symptoms such as vomiting and worsening respiratory condition, leading to dangerous conditions.
The number of transporters is increasing year by year, and in particular, university students and new members of society are drunk as drinking at once, leading to death every year.

• Know your right amount and pay attention to the physical condition of the day.

  

• Do not drink a lot in a short period of time.
• If you are unable to drink alcohol, tell the people around you that you are unable to drink alcohol in advance.
• Don't be forced to drink alcohol.
• People around you should accompany a drunk person and do not leave it alone.
• If a drunk person vomits, be careful that the vomits get stuck in your throat.

Citation: Tokyo Fire Department homepage "Notes to avoid acute alcohol poisoning"

In addition, the following methods are also recommended.

• Try to have a more modest amount than before
• Drink slowly
• Avoid drinking when you are hungry
• Drink soft drinks and alcohol alternately

Reference: Public Awareness Survey on Health in 2020 (September 2021)

As shown in the table above, Sakae Ward has a slightly higher percentage of people who drink at least three times a week and those who drink at least one go a day compared to the whole city of Yokohama.

The "moderate and appropriate drinking amount" defined by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare is estimated to be approximately 20g per day average pure alcohol.

Estimated about 20g of pure alcohol

However, Japan's standard amount is said to be outstanding internationally.
For women who have weaker power to decompose alcohol, the elderly, or those who tend to turn red with alcohol, a smaller amount is appropriate.

※ We do not recommend this amount of drinking for those who do not have a habit of drinking.
※ If you are a minor, pregnant or breastfeeding, refrain from drinking a little.
※ Let's consult with family doctor about alcoholic beverages.

Continued drinking increases the risk of various health problems as follows:

• Liver damage (fat liver, hepatitis, cirrhosis)
• Other internal disorders (pancreatitis, gastritis, gastric ulcer, gastrointestinal bleeding, etc.)
• lifestyle-related diseases (obesity, diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, etc.)
• Cancer (oral, pharyngeal, laryngeal, liver, colorectal, breast, etc.)
• Mental and brain disorders (dementia, sleep disorders, depression, addiction, etc.)

A lot of vitamins and minerals are needed to decompose and excrete alcohol.
By preparing staple foods, main dishes, and side dishes, you will be able to get various nutrients. When drinking alcohol, be sure to eat evenly without biasing to one of them.

Staple food rice balls, sushi, pizza, etc.　　※Be careful about eating too much! In particular, be careful of ramen with a lot of salt and oil.
Main dish yakitori, cold yakko, sashimi, green soybeans, fried eggs, cheese, etc.　　※Don't be just fried food!
Side vegetable salad, soaked, vinegar, vegetable stick, etc.　　※Let's choose it!

Highly acidic alcoholic beverages (drinks using wine or lemon) can easily dissolve the tooth surface by taking them for a long time, and can cause acid corrosion.
※Acid corrosion refers to the melting of enamel on the tooth surface by highly acidic food and drink.

• Return the mouth to neutral with moderate water and tea without taking only alcohol for a long time.
• If you sleep after drinking alcohol, there is a high risk of tooth decay and periodontal disease, so brush your teeth.

Sleeping alcohol temporarily encourages you to sleep, but sleep becomes shallow and you cannot get a sense of sleep.

Even if you are sleeping in a glass at first, your body gets used to alcohol and 2 or 3 cups.…It will increase.
Sleeping alcohol is likely to cause obesity, lifestyle-related diseases, insomnia, depression, and addiction.
Rather than dealing with sleeping alcohol, first review your sleep habits and how to reduce stress.

Specifically, please see [Yokohama-shi homepage] "let's avoid alcohol and sleep-" drinking to sleep "".

Even if the adult age under the Civil Code is reduced to 18, the age limit for alcohol and tobacco remains 20 years old.

Why is underage drinking a problem?
It is said that compared to adults, it is more susceptible to organ damage and has a significant effect on brain development and bone growth.
Many studies have confirmed that the earlier you start drinking alcohol, the greater the chances of getting involved in incidents and accidents in the future, and the higher the risk of alcoholism.

Pregnant women drink alcohol during pregnancy increases the risk of premature birth and pregnancy-induced hypertension syndrome.

In particular, it can cause fetal alcohol and spectrum disorders (FASD). Child development failure, characteristic facial features, and hyperactivity learning disorders occur. There is no cure for FASD, and the only measure is a request. Pregnant women should stop drinking, as a small amount of drinking can affect any time of pregnancy.

Avoid drinking while breastfeeding, as alcohol shifts to breast milk and affects the development of baby/infant.
There have been reports of a decrease in breast milk secretion due to a decrease in prolactin when drinking or drinking for a long period of time is high.

In general, younger people tend to break down alcohol, increasing the risk of acute alcohol poisoning.
I don't know my limits and tend to overdo it.
University students and new members of society should not overdo events such as welcome and farewell parties.
Also, at the liquor seat, do not force people around you to drink or drink at once.

Women are more drunk than men, and are said to have higher blood alcohol levels.
There are the following risks associated with drinking by women.

• There is a risk of liver disease or alcoholism in half the amount and duration of men.
• Increase the risk of women-specific diseases, such as breast cancer and fetal alcohol syndrome.

With age, the ability to decompose alcohol decreases. 　

　In addition, because the amount of water in the body decreases, even if the amount of alcohol is small, the concentration in the blood tends to increase. In addition, habitual heavy drinking increases the risk of developing dementia.
　Life events such as Retirement, increased free time, loss of spouses and friends, illness or injury can lead to increased drinking. Family members and people around you should call out and watch them so that they are not isolated.

If you want to reduce alcohol, graduate from tobacco, review your diet, consult your teeth and mouth, or prevent other lifestyle-related diseases such as hypertension or hyperlipidemia, please feel free to contact us.
For more information, please refer to the following website.

In Yokohama, we receive consultations from individuals and their families who are suffering from dependence on alcohol, drugs, gambling, etc. at the Health and Welfare Center (ward office) in the ward where they live and at the Health Consultation Center in the heart of Yokohama.
For more information, please refer to the following URL.

• Drinking | e-Health Net (Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare) (mhlw.go.jp) (outside site)
• [Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare] Guidelines for Understanding alcohol and alcoholism for citizens (March 2016) (outside site)
• Training materials for alcoholic clinicians in 2019 (public health nurse course)
• Kanagawa Prefecture "How to make good sake" (outside site)