When it comes to socializing, many people love a glass. If you’re a retiree, you should be aware of how alcohol might affect your body as you age and what low-risk drinking entails for you. Nonetheless, because standards are based on the typical individual and the effects of alcohol differ widely from one person to the next, it’s vital to consider your limits. Alcohol might impact you differently depending on your genetics, size and weight, current drugs or prescriptions, and more. Here’s a brief guide on alcohol drinking for older adults.
Drugs
A broad array of medications, including cardiac drugs, interact badly with alcohol. When alcohol is mixed with medications for arthritis and depression, serious medical and psychological issues might ensue. Even if drugs and alcohol are not taken at the same time, even a tiny amount of alcohol can produce an unfavorable drug reaction, and complex issues can occur.
Ask your pharmacist or family doctor about cross-reactivity with alcohol if you’re taking any over-the-counter or prescribed medicines. Sleepiness, balance issues, and disorientation are common symptoms associated with aging, but a bad medication response could be the culprit too.
Alcohol Amounts
Though alcoholism is less frequent in older individuals than in younger ones, older folks who consume alcohol face specific dangers. Because of changes in our body composition and capacity to process liquor as we age, alcohol has a greater impact on older persons when they drink.
Those who do not take medicine and are in excellent health should have no more than seven drinks each week. Furthermore, persons aged 65 and up should limit themselves to two drinks each day. Those with specific medical disorders, such as depression, or those on selective drugs should drink less or not at all.
Tips to Avoid Binge Drinking
- Slow Down
You can keep yourself on track by switching between booze and water. You don’t want to down your limits at the start of the party, don’t you? Rather than sitting out at the bar drinking shots, sip beverages while conversing or grooving to the music. Pacing yourself allows you to pay attention to your body and learn more about your boundaries.
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Go for Lower Alcohol Contents
If you’re susceptible to shots or heavy concoctions, consider switching to lower-alcohol beer or wine that can make it easier to keep track of your intake. In the same way, be sure you understand what’s in every drink you ingest. Someone may, for example, serve you a mixed fruity drink that looks like juice but could turn out to be a really strong cocktail to avoid.
Your liver metabolizes alcohol more slowly as you age, making you more susceptible to its effects. As you become older, you drop lean body mass, which means your body has lesser fluids to balance the alcohol. You also create less of an enzyme that aids in the degradation of alcohol, putting your liver under additional strain. Drinking can exacerbate other health concerns if not properly taken care of too. Use our guide to help you make the right choice.
