7 minute read
Health & Beauty
Sober October
There is an old joke that says the defi nition of an alcoholic is someone that drinks more than their doctor. I certainly like a glass of wine or two, but I frequently come across the damage that alcohol can do to people’s health, and thought that this may be a good topic for us to look at in ‘Sober October’.
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Around a quarter of the UK adult population are reported to regularly drink at levels that are harmful to their health, and amongst younger people (aged 1549) alcohol is the leading cause of ill health, disability and death.
As well as the immediate eff ects of intoxication; including head injuries, car accidents, violence and antisocial or risky behaviour; the longer term eff ects can be less obvious, and sometimes more insidious.
For example, alcohol is one of the biggest risk factors for developing breast cancer. It is estimated that around 4,400 breast cancer cases are caused each year as a result of drinking alcohol. One study showed that premenopausal women who binge drink have twice the breast cancer risk of those who don’t.
Other cancers that are greatly increased by regular alcohol consumption include cancers of the bowel, throat and mouth.
Alcohol dependence (also known as alcoholism or alcohol addiction) is the most serious form of high risk drinking, where the person feels compelled to drink and feels unable to cope without it. This addiction can have very serious knock on eff ects on the person’s mental health and ability to function at work and at home. In the longer term this can lead to liver failure and even death.
So what is considered to be a ‘safe’ amount of alcohol? Currently the Chief Medical Offi cer advises no more than 14 units of alcohol per week, ensuring you have several alcohol free days and never binge drinking. It is recommended that alcohol is avoided altogether during pregnancy.
Fourteen units is equivalent to: 7 glasses of wine, 7 pints of beer or cider or 14 single shots of spirit.
If you are regularly drinking a bit more than this, October may be the perfect time to think about cutting down.
If you feel you or a loved one may be dependent on alcohol there are a few warning signs that might indicate that this is a bigger problem:
Needing a drink fi rst thing in the morning, a tremor or other withdrawal symptoms when stopping or reducing drinking, negative life events as a consequence of drinking eg injury, blackouts, relationship or work issues, feeling guilty about your drinking or get angry when others suggest cutting down.
The One You Think about your Drink Score can be a helpful tool to see whether your current drinking level could be a problem:
Tips for reducing alcohol consumption include:
• Having at least two alcohol free days a week • Alternating alcoholic drinks with soft ones to slow down your consumption • Try diluting drinks eg wine spritzers • Try low alcohol or no alcohol beers or wines • Keep an alcohol diary – there are some great apps out there now eg Dry January or Drink Free Days
If you or a loved one is a heavy drinker and may be alcohol dependent it is important not to stop drinking suddenly as this can trigger alcohol withdrawal seizures. Much safer to cut down slowly and seek help from your GP or local alcohol service.
In Plymouth,The Harbour Centre is a free self referral service for anyone who is struggling with their alcohol use. They can be contacted on 01752 434343 or through their website www.harbour.org.uk n
Dr Rachel Tyler is a doctor at
Stirling Road Surgery, St Budeaux
The Mustard Tree Cancer Café
Drop-in community support for anyone affected by cancer
Some of you may be familiar with the work of the University Hospitals Plymouth Mustard Tree team at Derriford Hospital. The Mustard Tree, based on level three of the hospital, provide services to those aff ected by Cancer.
Mustard Tree Manger Shaen Milward said: ‘We are able to off er a range of support which includes counselling, complementary therapy, benefi ts advice, support specialist advice, and a range of other group therapies. We hold an extensive range of resources at the centre enabling us to provide the information people require. If we can’t, we can signpost people to the many other other agencies we work with.’
Shaen added: ‘During covid much of our help went online so we could continue to support people as best we could. As restrictions ease, a fair proportion of our work remains online, an example is our very popular iHope course (empowering people to live well with and after cancer), which is run in conjunction with Macmillan Cancer Support.
‘That being said, people still feel very strongly about the benefi ts of face-to-face interaction. Covid has touched every area of our lives and accessing services has been restricted at times, so the Mustard Tree Centre staff are keen to re-establish supportive links in the community.’
Clinical Nurse Specialist Rachel Wood said: ‘We are aware that coming to the hospital can be challenging, for a number of diff erent reasons, so wanted to off er a Cancer Café style drop in. Where we will be on hand to answer queries, signpost to our other services, provide information, and off er an informal listening ear... with the added addition of a cup or something hot of course! The service will be hosted by a member of the Mustard Tree team, and local heroes, also known as our volunteers!’
The drop-in sites are located in Ivybridge (Methodist Church) 9.30am to 12.30pm, every other Wednesday, Kingsbridge (Harbour House) 1.30pm to 4.30pm every other Wednesday, Tavistock (The Clinic) 9.30am to 12.30pm, every other Friday, and in Liskeard (The Liskerrett Centre) 1.30pm to 4.30pm , every other Friday. The Cancer Café drop-ins will run every other week in these towns, and along with a warm welcome, you can be assured of an informal and relaxed atmosphere.
Rachel added: ‘Cancer can be a very diffi cult time for patients and also carers; you won’t need an appointment, so we would encourage those who may need support to come along and meet us.’
The Mustard Tree team can be contacted on 01752 430060. Please keep up to date with The Centre via social media: Facebook (Mustard Tree Macmillan
Information and support for anyone in the local community affected by cancer
EVERY OTHER WEDNESDAY
BETWEEN 9.30-12.30 STARTING 14/9/22
then: 28/9, 12/10, 26/10, 9/11, 23/11, 7/12, 21/12, 4/1, 18/1, 1/2, 15/2
Ivybridge Methodist Church • Fore Street • Ivybridge PL21 9AB For any queries please call 01752 430060 For more information about the Mustard Tree visit: WWW.PLYMOUTHHOSPITALS.NHS.UK/MUSTARD-TREE
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