Silver Cross Medical Group Expert: Strong Link Between Alcohol Over-Consumption and Several Diseases

If you sailed through “Dry January” this year, there’s mounting evidence you should continue the momentum and eliminate – or greatly reduce – your consumption of alcohol for the long haul. Your heart and many other parts of your body will thank you, says Dr. Abraham Thomas, an Internal Medicine physician with Silver Cross Medical Group in Mokena. 

When it comes to heart health, alcohol has been shown to raise blood pressure, increase cholesterol levels, damage blood vessels and cause abnormal heart rhythms. And that can lead to an increased risk of coronary heart disease, stroke and heart failure. 

And if that’s not enough for you to rethink your relationship with alcohol, excessive consumption is also linked to a multitude of cancers. 

“We know there is a link to drinking alcohol and seven types of cancers,” Dr. Abraham said. 

“I like to have a drink myself with friends on the weekend. But I have begun cutting back, because I’ve seen the data,” he said. 

In addition to causing disorders to multiple body organs, too much alcohol consumption can lead to breast cancer in women and cancers of the mouth, pharynx, larynx, esophagus, liver and colon in both sexes. 

“The link is especially true in breast cancer for women. We don’t know why for sure about any of these cancers. There may be a genetic predisposition to one or more than alcohol consumption triggers,” he added.

Dr. Thomas agrees with former U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy a warning about that link should be added to the warnings about driving after drinking alcohol and while women are pregnant.  

“Our job as physicians is to educate; then adults can make up their own minds. I feel this is better than added taxes like we have for cigarettes. We want people to know they have a choice, but they must be privy to all available information,” he said. “We know that putting the warnings on cigarettes has cut down use significantly. They should know about alcohol as well.” 

Asked if there is a “safe” amount, Dr. Thomas said that’s a tough call, since everyone responds differently.  

“The World Health Organization says there is no ‘safe’ amount of alcohol, but, in general, we say two drinks a day for men and one drink a day for women is considered ‘safe.’ Please note that one drink is 0.6 ounces of pure alcohol, which translates to 12 ounces of beer, 5 ounces of wine or 1.5 ounces of distilled spirits. It’s a tough one. Alcohol is such a big part of our society: parties, celebrations. The key is education and moderation.” 

For more information or to schedule an appointment with Dr. Thomas, visit silvercrossmedicalgroup.org