As we age and our bodies change, so does our ability to tolerate alcohol. Alcohol affects you more since your body can’t process alcohol like it used to. According to the drinking guidelines for older adults, men should limit themselves to a maximum of two standard drinks per day. In contrast, women should limit themselves to one standard drink per day. This guideline is for people who are not taking medications. Those who are on long-term medication should avoid drinking alcohol altogether. Alcoholism in older adults is a silent but severe issue. It is more difficult to detect and is common among adults with anxiety or depression. It is a negative coping mechanism and can result in immediate risks, worsening health conditions, adverse drug reactions, and much more. These are three reasons to reduce alcohol consumption as you age.
Complications from Mixing Medications and Alcohol
Most medications and alcohol do not mix well; it could lead to adverse reactions and complications. Alcohol also worsens conditions like hypertension and diabetes. If you are taking medication, whether it is long-term prescription medicine or over-the-counter medicine, you should always consult your doctor before drinking. Some of the drugs commonly used by older adults react badly with alcohol. Medications like anti-anxiety drugs, antibiotics, antidepressants, antihistamines, diabetes medication, blood thinners, sleeping medication, and pain medication have an adverse reaction to alcohol.
Dangerous Blood Alcohol Levels
After being absorbed through the small intestine, alcohol is processed by the liver and circulated through your major organs when you consume it. As you age, your muscle mass decreases, and your liver becomes less powerful. This increases the amount of alcohol in your bloodstream and increases your blood alcohol concentration. The levels of blood alcohol can range from 0% to 0.4%, which can be fatal and puts you at risk of coma.
Furthermore, the effects of alcohol are more potent and affect you faster even if you drink the same amount as before. As you age, your physical and mental functions (such as vision, hearing, coordination, and reflexes) deteriorate, putting you at a higher risk of falls, slips, and car accidents.
Increased Risks to Health
In older adults, alcohol can cause serious health complications and exacerbate pre-existing conditions. Alcohol can harm nearly every organ in the body. It can cause ulcers in the stomach lining, liver failure, and heart failure due to the buildup of fluids in the lungs; it can cause cancer of the mouth, stomach, liver, and stroke. Alcohol has a lot of calories but nothing nutritious for the body. It also causes disturbed sleep. For people with an existing condition of osteoporosis, alcohol can put them at a higher risk of hip fracture. It can also induce dementia and hepatitis and will cause hypertension to worsen. Some older adults drink alcohol to cope with depression; however, alcohol can lead to more depressive symptoms. Although not everyone who drinks excessively will develop health problems, the more you drink, the more likely you will develop such problems. If you need, stick to one unit a day to lessen the likelihood of heart attacks.