Don’t let happiness become an invisible price for your health when drinking during the New Year

Quan Haoxian, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology

Wei Jingyi, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Huazhong University of Science and Technology

Yang Shengli, Union Hospital Affiliated to Tongji Medical College of Huazhong University of Science and Technology

The year is over with the sound of firecrackers, and the spring breeze brings warmth to Tusu. The Spring Festival is a time for family reunion and gathering with friends and relatives. Wine seems to be the protagonist of the festival. Although wine can add to the fun, its "dark side" should not be ignored. As the saying goes, "a little drinking can make you happy, but drinking too much can hurt your body." If you indulge in the joy of drinking and ignore the potential harm of alcohol to your body, you may end up having fun but regretting it too late.

The brain: From “easy and happy” to “messy”

After drinking, the brain will first become relaxed, forget about troubles, feel euphoric, and have endless things to say. However, as you drink more, your head becomes foggy and you can’t see anything clearly. The brain’s judgment and self-control are reduced to the lowest level, and you become irrational, speak vaguely, move uncoordinatedly, and even do some stupid things that make people laugh and cry. At the same time, alcohol is metabolized by the liver to produce acetaldehyde, a chemical that is toxic to the human body and can cause headaches, nausea, and other discomfort. The accumulation of acetaldehyde in the body can affect brain function, causing you to have a splitting headache the next day when you wake up.

The liver: It can’t hold up forever

The liver is a very diligent "worker" in your body. Every time alcohol enters the body, it starts working hard to break down these toxins. However, alcohol and the acetaldehyde produced after metabolism will also damage liver cells while being converted in the liver. From fatty liver to alcoholic hepatitis, and then to cirrhosis, liver damage accumulates little by little, and in the end you may experience unbearable stomach pain, loss of appetite, and even yellow skin. At that time, the liver is like an employee who is about to go on strike, and the body begins to send you alarms. You will realize that the price you pay for drinking too much may be far heavier than the pleasure you originally had.

Heart: From "heartbeat" to "shortness of breath"

Many people experience an increased heart rate after drinking, which is a protective mechanism of the body. However, the drunk heart is like a tired machine, desperately "accelerating" for you. After being drunk, you may feel a heaviness in your chest and difficulty breathing, as if your heart is "protesting" against you. The blood pressure soars, the heart burden increases, and even leads to alcoholic cardiomyopathy. At that moment, you will find that the price of excessive drinking is far more painful than the short-lived pleasure of alcohol.

Gastrointestinal: From "enjoying delicious food" to "unbearable stomach pain"

The stomach after drinking will never give you any good face. Alcohol enters the stomach, irritates the stomach wall, and stomach acid overflows, followed by stomach pain and nausea. You may experience vomiting more than once, and even lose your appetite. The harm of alcohol is not only short-term. Over time, gastritis, gastric ulcers and even more serious problems will follow.

The immune system goes on strike when you're drunk

You may not have noticed that alcohol also affects your immune system. When you are drunk, your immune system is like on vacation and cannot effectively resist the invasion of germs. After you drink, you may start to feel unwell the next day, with fever, cough, sore throat... It was originally a happy festival, but the sudden illness broke your good mood. These health problems are because alcohol makes your immune system "shocked".

Kidneys: More urination, increased burden

The diuretic effect of alcohol makes you go to the toilet constantly, feeling like you are "detoxifying", but the real situation behind it is that the water in your body is quickly excreted, and the burden on your kidneys is getting heavier and heavier. If you drink excessively for a long time, your kidneys may decline in function, and in severe cases, even cause acute renal failure. You may suddenly feel severe pain in your waist, or even abnormal urine. At that time, the price of alcohol will really make you feel extremely heavy.

Skin: From "smooth and bright" to "dull and dull"

The dehydrating effect of alcohol can make your skin dry and dull, and may even cause redness or swelling. Dehydrated skin becomes rough and yellow, and long-term alcohol abuse may cause rosacea and other problems on the face. Your once smooth face may now be slowly eroded by alcohol.

Drinking in the New Year, be rational - drink happily, health is the most important

During the Spring Festival, toasting together is to make everyone happier, but remember that moderation is the key. Don't let the short-term pleasure of alcohol affect your future health. Drinking well will make you feel better and healthier. I hope you can enjoy the joy and protect your health in this new year, and have a regret-free Spring Festival.