Even a Little Drinking Ages the Brain: Study

• March 7, 2022
• Full Page

There is no amount of alcohol that is good for your brain.

So claims a new study that found even light to moderate drinking can age the brain faster than normal.

Previous...

Could a Little Wine at Mealtimes Cut Your Odds for Type 2 Diabetes?

• March 4, 2022
• Full Page

Feel free to open a bottle of your favorite vintage: If you time it right, a little wine might help guard against type 2 diabetes.

A new study suggests that a small glass with dinner may lower t...

Driving Both High and Drunk More Dangerous Than Either Alone: Study

• Amy Norton HealthDay Reporter
• January 31, 2022
• Full Page

The hazards of drunken driving are well known, and a new research review shows that adding pot to the mix only makes matters worse.

The analysis of 57 past studies found that the

Most Americans Don't Know Alcohol Can Raise Cancer Risk

• Robert Preidt
• January 31, 2022
• Full Page

Most American adults don't know that alcohol boosts cancer risk, but a majority support steps to increase awareness of the link, a new nationwide survey shows.

""It is important that people are made fully aware of the potential harms of alcohol so that they may make info...

More Folks Drive High When Pot Made Legal: Study

• Steven Reinberg HealthDay Reporter
• January 13, 2022
• Full Page

Here's more evidence that marijuana may make driving more dangerous: As pot has been legalized in more countries and states, a greater number of people are driving intoxicated by the drug and crashing, researchers report.

THC, the active ingredient in cannabis, has been ...

Could Binge Drinking Set Your Heart Rhythm Off-Kilter?

• Robert Preidt
• January 13, 2022
• Full Page

Binge drinking on Super Bowl Sunday or other special occasions could put you at risk for a dangerous heart rhythm disorder called atrial fibrillation (a-fib), even if you've never had it, researchers warn in a new study.

"Worldwide, alcohol is the most popularly consumed...

There Are No Hangover Cures, Scientists Say

• Cara Murez
• January 3, 2022
• Full Page

Here's a lesson many may have already learned over the past weekend: Don't count on ginseng, probiotics or any other so-called hangover cures.

No evidence suggests hangover cures work, according to British scientists who studied nearly two dozen trials of these cure prod...

Too Much Auld Lang Syne: Avoiding That New Year's Hangover

• December 31, 2021
• Full Page

Party people should think twice before relying on a fly-by-night remedy to cure the hangover they suffer from a New Year's Eve bender, warns an ER doc based in the Big Apple.

"There are a plethora of hangover products on the market that tout the ability to reduce the cha...

Heavier Drinking During Pandemic Means More Liver Disease to Come

• December 24, 2021
• Full Page

It's clear that COVID-19 has killed many hundreds of thousands of people in the United States. Less clear is its impact on other health issues, which will be felt in the years to come.

Liver disease is projected to be one of those, with 8,000 additional deaths from

Don't Let Heartburn Ruin Your Holiday Feast

• December 18, 2021
• Full Page

Like Mr. Grinch, heartburn can crush your holiday, but there are easy ways to prevent it.

"Heartburn is caused by acidic stomach content moving into the esophagus, or gullet, which is much less resistant to acid," said Dr. James East, a gastroenterologist at Mayo Clinic ...

Pandemic Saw Big Declines in Kids' Use of Drugs, Alcohol, Vaping

• Robert Preidt
• December 16, 2021
• Full Page

There may be a silver lining to the COVID-19 pandemic, with U.S. health officials reporting an "unprecedented" decline in teens' use of alcohol, marijuana, other illegal drugs and vaping.

"We have never seen such dramatic decreases in drug use among teens in just a one-y...

Stress May Be Stronger Trigger for Problem Drinking in Women Than Men

• Robert Preidt
• December 15, 2021
• Full Page

When someone says "I need a drink," it's usually because they've had a rough day. Now, new research suggests that stress is more likely to trigger heavy drinking in women than in men.

"Some people can intend to have one or two alcoholic beverages and stop drinking, but o...

Half of Drinkers Who Think They're Fit to Drive Are Wrong: Study

• Robert Preidt
• December 8, 2021
• Full Page

If you think you're fine to drive after drinking, there's a good chance you're wrong, new research shows.

The study found that despite being over the legal driving limit, half of the participants believed they were safe to drive.

The study included 90 volunteers, a...

Your Plant-Based Diet Could Really Help the Planet

• Dennis Thompson HealthDay Reporter
• November 29, 2021
• Full Page

Worried about climate change? You can do something about it every time you lift your fork, a new study suggests.

Folks can reduce their personal carbon footprint by eating less red meat, nibbling fewer sweets and cutting back on tea, coffee and booze, according to the fi...

Ridesharing Services May Be Lowering Drunk Driving Deaths

• Cara Murez HealthDay Reporter
• November 22, 2021
• Full Page

Don't drive drunk. That's simple and obvious advice. And it appears ridesharing services are making it easier for people to take it.

In a new study that looked at Chicago data, more rideshare trips meant fewer alcohol-involved crashes.

"This study was designed to l...

Demand for Liver Transplant Rises Sharply Among Older Americans

• Dennis Thompson HealthDay Reporter
• November 17, 2021
• Full Page

More older folks are winding up on liver transplant waiting lists than ever before, as obesity and alcoholism supersede hepatitis C as the main cause of liver failure in the United States.

The percentage of liver transplant candidates aged 65 or older rose from 9% in the...

Knowing Your A-Fib Triggers Could Help You Avoid It: Study

• Dennis Thompson HealthDay Reporter
• November 15, 2021
• Full Page

People suffering from dangerous abnormal heart rhythms can take matters into their own hands and figure out what is triggering their episodes, researchers report.

Folks with atrial fibrillation (a-fib) were able to reduce their episodes of the irregular heartbeat by 40% ...

Think a Little Alcohol Might Be Healthy? Think Again

• Alan Mozes HealthDay Reporter
• November 3, 2021
• Full Page

Wine lovers, beer drinkers and those who enjoy a martini now and then have long been told that moderate drinking beats total abstinence.

Unfortunately, new German research is throwing some cold water on that advice, finding that premature death among non-drinkers is like...

Liver Transplants Soar as Some Americans Drink Their Way Through the Pandemic

• Robert Preidt
• October 27, 2021
• Full Page

Demand for liver transplants among heavy drinking Americans surged during the COVID-19 pandemic, a new study shows.

It found that the number of people with alcoholic hepatitis who received a new liver (32,320) or were put on a liver transplant waiting list (51,488) betwe...

Smoking, Drinking Gateway to Pot, Study Finds

• Steven Reinberg
• September 30, 2021
• Full Page

For those who smoke or drink, it's only a small step to marijuana, researchers report.

"Legal consumption of alcohol and tobacco may directly increase the level of illicit drug use. However, the relationships are complex," said researcher Dr. Zoe Reed. She is a senior re...

Common Form of Liver Cancer on the Rise in Rural America

• Steven Reinberg
• September 21, 2021
• Full Page

Liver cancer is on the rise in rural America, but on a downswing in cities, new research shows.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common type of liver cancer and the fastest-growing cause of cancer deaths in the United States. It's rising at an annual rate of ne...

Do Your Genes Up Your Odds for Alcoholism? One Factor Cuts the Risk

• Alan Mozes HealthDay Reporter
• September 16, 2021
• Full Page

Even when genetics and personality are working against you, having a strong network of supportive friends and family may help lower alcoholism risk, researchers say.

"Genes play an important role in alcohol use," stressed Jinni Su, an assistant professor of psychology at...

'Holiday Heart': When Drinking Triggers Dangerous A-fib

• Cara Murez HealthDay Reporter
• August 31, 2021
• Full Page

With Labor Day festivities approaching, you might want to think twice about that cocktail. Or at least you should avoid that second round, especially if you have a history of your heart beating irregularly.

A new study appears to confirm the existence of "holiday heart s...

Half of Adults With ADHD Have Struggled With Alcohol, Drug Use

• Denise Mann HealthDay Reporter
• August 30, 2021
• Full Page

Fully half of all young adults with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) may also battle alcohol or drug abuse.

And folks with ADHD who have a history of depression or anxiety are particularly vulnerable to substance abuse problems, a new study showed.

...

Drinking at Home: Liquor Store Sales Rose During Pandemic

• Robert Preidt
• August 24, 2021
• Full Page

Americans did more drinking at home during the early months of the coronavirus pandemic, which researchers say may be linked to a rise in domestic violence and other problems.

"Our results appear to substantiate an increase in home drinking during the period, which could...

Heavy Drinking in Youth Could Harm Arteries

• Robert Preidt
• August 24, 2021
• Full Page

The arteries of young people who drink stiffen sooner in their lives, which could increase their risk for heart disease and stroke later on, a British study reports.

People's arteries naturally become less elastic with age, but certain factors -- including alcohol and to...

College Freshmen Drank Less as Pandemic Began

• Robert Preidt
• August 18, 2021
• Full Page

Here's an unexpected silver lining to the pandemic: New research shows there was a decline in overall drinking and binge drinking among U.S. college freshmen during the early months of the new coronavirus' spread across America.

"We found that social factors, like social...

Need a New Liver? Your Survival Odds May Depend on Race

• Robert Preidt
• August 13, 2021
• Full Page

Black American liver transplant recipients have a lower survival rate than Hispanic or white patients, and a new study suggests that alcohol-related liver disease and insurance coverage are key reasons.

"Our findings are a huge wake-up call that physicians and other heal...

Seniors Rarely Discuss Their Drinking With Their Doctors

• Robert Preidt
• July 30, 2021
• Full Page

Plenty of seniors may struggle with problem drinking, but a new study shows that less than half of them discuss their alcohol use with their health care providers.

"Older adults are at high risk for the harms of alcohol use, especially for those with existing chronic dis...

'Moderate' Drinking May Be Heart-Healthy

• Amy Norton HealthDay Reporter
• July 28, 2021
• Full Page

Here's a reason to not feel guilty about drinking a glass of wine every evening: A new study suggests that people who drink moderately may have lower risks for both heart attack and stroke than teetotalers -- even when they have a history of heart issues.

The researchers...

Alcohol Tied to 740,000 Cancer Cases Worldwide in 2020

• Robert Preidt
• July 14, 2021
• Full Page

Let's not toast to this: Alcohol was linked with 740,000 new cancer cases globally in 2020, representing 4% of all newly diagnosed cases that year, researchers say.

"Trends suggest that although there is a decrease in alcohol consumption per person in many European count...

Alcohol Still a Threat in Too Many American Pregnancies: Study

• Cara Murez
• July 1, 2021
• Full Page

More than half of American babies are exposed to at least some alcohol before they are born -- and for 8 out of 10, it happens before their mothers even realize they're pregnant, according to a Yale University study.

Because alcohol consumption may harm the developing fe...

No Drop in Teens' Use of Pot, Binge Drinking Despite Pandemic Lockdowns

• Cara Murez
• June 25, 2021
• Full Page

U.S. high school seniors say marijuana was significantly harder to come by during the pandemic -- yet their use of the drug continued at rates similar to those before school closures began, a new study finds.

Their binge-drinking also continued at similar rates, accordin...

Drinking Rose During Pandemic, Especially for Women & Black Americans

• Robert Preidt
• June 21, 2021
• Full Page

It might have seemed harmless to while away hours stuck at home during the pandemic with extra wine and cocktails. But new research instead points to a troubling trend: Alcohol use and risky drinking rose among Americans over the last year.

For the study, the researchers...

Looking for Love? Young People's Drinking Goes Up When Dating

• Cara Murez
• June 16, 2021
• Full Page

When young adults are seeking a casual dating relationship, drinking is likely to follow, new research suggests.

Meanwhile, those who are already in a serious relationship are likely to drink less.

The study included more than 700 people in the Seattle area, aged 1...

Pandemic Boosted Drinking Among Americans Over 50: Poll

• Robert Preidt
• June 10, 2021
• Full Page

Drinking rose among older Americans during the worst of the COVID-19 pandemic, and that could put their health at risk, claim researchers behind a new poll.

"As we all toast the end of the worst part of the pandemic in our country, it's important to address or prevent pr...

Rideshare Apps Could Be Saving Lives, Study Shows

• Cara Murez HealthDay Reporter
• June 9, 2021
• Full Page

WEDNESDAY, June 9, 2021 (HealthDay News) - You've heard it often: Don't get behind the wheel of a car after a night of drinking. Now, a new study confirms that rideshare services like Uber and Lyft are making it easier for people to follow that advice and get home unharmed an...

Heavy Drinking Could Lower a Woman's Odds of Conception

• Ernie Mundell and Robert Preidt HealthDay Reporters
• June 9, 2021
• Full Page

Heavy drinking reduces a woman's chances of getting pregnant, and even moderate drinking during the second half of the menstrual cycle is associated with a reduced likelihood of conceiving, according to a new study.

The new research involved 413 American women aged betwe...

Boaters and Drivers, Stay Alcohol-Free This Memorial Day Weekend

• May 29, 2021
• Full Page

It's the first holiday since the pandemic began where Americans can mingle without masks if they are fully vaccinated, so celebrations are in order. But folks still need to avoid alcohol if they're driving or boating over the Memorial Day weekend.

"This Memorial Day week...

Just 1 in 10 People With Alcohol Problems Get Treatment

• Amy Norton HealthDay Reporter
• May 24, 2021
• Full Page

Americans with drinking problems are rarely referred for treatment, even though most say a doctor has asked about their alcohol use, a new study finds.

The study is not the first to uncover low rates of treatment for alcohol use disorders (AUDs) -- the medical term ...

Key Factors That Raise Your Odds for Early-Onset Colon Cancer

• Denise Mann HealthDay Reporter
• May 20, 2021
• Full Page

Colon cancer is on the rise among people under 50, and the million-dollar question is why.

Now, new research suggests that certain lifestyle factors, such as eating lots of red meat and heavy alcohol consumption, may play a role in this increase.

"The occurrence of...

Is Rise in Liver Damage Tied to More Drinking During Lockdowns?

• Denise Mann HealthDay Reporter
• May 14, 2021
• Full Page

Many people drank more to cope with the stress of the coronavirus pandemic and the restrictions it placed on daily life, and now a new study suggests that all of this drinking is causing a serious spike in alcohol-related diseases.

"Incidence of hospitalizations for alco...

Alcohol Is No Friend to Social Distancing

• Robert Preidt
• May 11, 2021
• Full Page

Maintaining adequate social distance from strangers -- a key COVID-19 preventive measure -- can be tough when you're drinking alcohol, researchers say.

In a new study, the researchers put more than 200 young social drinkers in different social situations in laboratory se...

How a Little Alcohol Might Help the Heart

• Robert Preidt
• May 7, 2021
• Full Page

A bit of booze may help protect your heart by reducing stress-related brain activity, a new study suggests.

"The thought is that moderate amounts of alcohol may have effects on the brain that can help you relax, reduce stress levels and, perhaps through these mechanisms,...