Neurotransmitter induces alcohol cravings, says study

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Alcohol addiction has been a common issue affecting millions in the United States. According to the 2016 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), approximately 136.7 million individuals aged 12 or older were using alcohol in 2016. Read more

Breast Cancer Awareness Month: Why alcohol abuse is more dangerous for women

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Every year, October is observed as the Breast Cancer Awareness Month in the United States with the objective of making people conscious about the need for early detection, palliative care and prevention strategies.

While age, obesity, genes and family history are some of the common causes of breast cancer, the International Agency for Research on Cancer considers alcohol as a carcinogenic substance. Every 10g or 1 drink of alcohol is associated with an increased risk of breast cancer by 7-10% among adult women. This link is prevalent in both premenopausal and postmenopausal women. The risk increases by 4-15% with even light alcohol intake (less than 1 drink/day). In America, nearly 4-10% cases of breast cancer are attributed to alcohol consumption leading to 9000 to 23,000 novel cases of breast cancer cases every year. Read more

Prenatal alcohol exposure disrupts neurodevelopment in children

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Fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD) is an umbrella term for a wide range of problems that can develop in a child due to the drinking habit of the mother during pregnancy. Prenatal exposure to alcohol, even in low amounts, can cause developmental abnormalities, such as growth retardation, facial deformities, organ damages, etc., and significant cognitive deficits that are responsible for physical, mental, behavioral and social challenges in an individual’s life. Read more

Think before you drink! Alcohol causes cancer

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Cancer is among the leading causes of death the world over, reports the World Health Organization (WHO). Unfortunately, the numbers are expected to rise by nearly 70 percent within 20 years. The situation remains grim in the United States too. Based on 2008-2012 cases, the American Cancer Society estimates that the rate of cancer incidence is 454.8 per 100,000 men and women per year while the rate of cancer mortality is 171.2 per 100,000 men and women. Read more

Even one drink a day ups breast cancer risks among women

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Alcohol consumption, whether moderate or excessive, poses risk to psychological and physical well-being of an individual. What begins as a fun activity with peers and in social circles, or as a means to get rid of life’s stressors, soon becomes symbolic of ugly hangovers, anxiety, depression, liver damage and heart failure.  Read more