With the holiday season high, there is festive cheer, family gatherings and also an undeniable increases in alcohol consumption that fills the air. Christmas and New Year's Eve celebrations to spring break and bachelor parties and sporting events that bring together huge crowds for celebrations mean that drinking becomes synonymous with partying. But behind the revelry lies a much darker behavior: high-intensity drinking.

Alcohol is the most widely used substance in the United States; it has been reported that 84% of adults aged 18 and older reported lifetime use. Moderate drinking is socially acceptable, but high-intensity drinking is an alarming trend. The behavior of consuming eight or more drinks over a few hours for women and 10 or more for men exceeds binge drinking and significantly increases risk for harm.

High-intensity drinking is far from being just a mere passing concern; it is instead a public health crisis. The burden is even greater as 29 million people in the United States suffer from alcohol use disorder. That has caused over 140,000 deaths annually while accounting for 200,000 hospitalizations and 7.4% of visits to emergency departments in the United States. However, only 7.6% of these affected get treated, thus forming a glaring gap in handling this concern.

What Is High-Intensity Drinking?

High-intensity drinking is a dangerous escalation from traditional binge drinking, characterized by consuming double or triple the standard binge amounts. While binge drinking involves four or more drinks for women and five or more for men, high-intensity drinkers often surpass these levels, leading to blood alcohol concentrations (BAC) exceeding 0.2%—a level that significantly impairs judgment and motor skills.

According to Dr. George Koob, the director of the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), high-intensity drinking is one of the factors that intensify the risks of injuries, overdose, and death. It is also very highly associated with the onset of AUD, since the chance of addiction increases with increased alcohol consumption per occasion.

Blackouts and Memory Loss Risks

One of the most troubling consequences of high-intensity drinking is alcohol-induced blackouts, periods of amnesia where individuals may appear functional but are incapable of forming memories. Blackouts occur when alcohol disrupts the hippocampus, the brain region responsible for memory formation.

Blackouts are often categorized into two types:

1. Fragmentary Blackouts: Characterized by spotty memory, where recalling certain details can trigger partial recollection.

2. En Bloc Blackouts: Significant amnesia for hours, wherein no memory is created at all, even if tried to be recalled.

Aside from memory loss, intense binge drinking is linked with poor decision-making, violence, injury, and conflicts in personal relationships.

Why Holidays and Special Events Are Hotbeds for Excessive Drinking

Holidays and celebrations create the perfect storm for high-intensity drinking. According to research, adults drink nearly double the amount of alcohol during holidays like Christmas and New Year's Eve than they do at any other time of the year. It is during these periods of social gathering, holiday stress, and seasonal sadness that people drink in excess.

For college students, experiences like spring break and 21st birthdays increase the danger. Some studies indicate that students, especially those who travel with buddies to spring break, indulge in more alcohol and make more serious decisions than any student who remains at home or goes with their family to other destinations. Sporting events are, too, notorious for promoting drunk consumption, especially among male customers. Alcohol consumption usually goes high during Super Bowl Sunday, thus leading to games day violence and arrests.

Consequences of Heavy Intensity Drinking

High-intensity drinking impacts not only physical health and mental well-being but also social relationships.

Acute Risks

- Alcohol poisoning

- Severe dehydration and electrolyte imbalances

- Hypoglycemia

- Risky sexual behavior

- Injuries and accidents

Chronic Risks

- Liver damage, alcoholic hepatitis, and cirrhosis

- Cardiovascular diseases such as arrhythmias and cardiomyopathy

- Neurological damage, including memory deficits and blackouts

- Progression to alcohol dependence or AUD

Psychological Impact

High-intensity drinking is strongly linked with increased risks of depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation. Poor decision-making during episodes can lead to long-lasting consequences, including damaged academic, professional, or personal outcomes.

How to Address the Problem

Combating high-intensity drinking requires education, early intervention, and accessible treatment options. The NIAAA has defined high-intensity drinking to be distinct from binge drinking and has called for targeted approaches to decline prevalence and associated harms.

One promising treatment option is naltrexone, which a medication helps control alcohol cravings. Encouraging in preliminary evidence, more extensive clinical trials will be necessary to ascertain its efficacy more specifically in high-intensity drinkers.

As we head into the holiday season and other special occasions, it is important to heighten awareness of the dangers of high-intensity drinking. A good understanding of long-term consequences and seeking help when alcohol-related issues arise can be the difference between life and death. Celebrations should be about joy and connection, not about the gateway to harm.

If you or someone you know drinks at dangerous levels or have an alcohol use disorder, there is help available. Remember, for suspected cases of alcohol poisoning, dial 911. In this way, we can foster healthier relationships with alcohol and create safer environments for everyone.

Amid rising summer temperatures, along with pollution, eye specialists today warned that the heat and dust can add stress on the eyes, leading to dryness, allergies, infections, and irritation.

Delhi witnessed its first official heatwave day of the month on Tuesday, as scorching sunshine and dry winds pushed temperatures beyond 45°C across several parts of the city.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) warned that conditions are likely to worsen over the coming days, with temperatures expected to rise to nearly 46°C on May 20.

The weather department has also issued an orange alert for Delhi until May 25, cautioning residents about prolonged heatwaves and excessive heat conditions expected over six consecutive days.

Allergies, Dryness, and Infections Common In Summer

Speaking to HealthandMe, Dr. Bhavatharini M, Senior Consultant Ophthalmologist at Dr. Agarwal's Eye Hospital, said that summer conditions can significantly impact eye health.

“Summer places added stress on the eyes, particularly in cities like New Delhi where heat, dust, and pollution are significant factors,” she said.

Dr. Bhavatharini explained that common concerns during the season include dryness caused by increased tear evaporation while

• watching screens,
• allergies triggered by environmental irritants,
• UV-related damage,
• infections linked to swimming in poorly maintained pools.

Dr. Kalpana R, Senior Consultant, Ophthalmology at SIMS Hospital, also warned of problems that affect the eyes during this season, such as

• allergies,
• dryness,
• seasonal infections,
• viral and bacterial infections,
• swimming pool infections,
• migraine headaches.

She stressed the importance of maintaining proper hydration and following a balanced, nutritious diet to support eye health during the hotter months.

How To Prevent Eye Health In Scorching Summers

Dr. Bhavatharini advised people to take simple preventive measures, such as wearing UV-protective sunglasses, staying well-hydrated, avoiding rubbing their eyes, and using protective goggles while swimming.

“Persistent redness, irritation, or blurred vision should not be ignored and warrants timely evaluation by your eye specialist,” she added.

Dr. Kalpana further recommended wearing protective eyewear outdoors to shield the eyes from harmful UV rays and glare.

People travelling on bikes should wear helmets with visors to reduce exposure to dust and pollution, while swimmers should use swimming goggles to prevent infections and injuries associated with pool water.

For allergies, she advised people not to rub their eyes even if they experience itching.

“Just as a home remedy, you can use an ice pack over the closed eyelids or splash cold water over the closed eyelids to get some immediate relief,” she told HealthandMe.

Avoid Self-Medication

The experts also warned against self-medication in case of eye infections.

“And for viral infections and bacterial infections, if you feel that you get a sticky discharge and redness, you must immediately go to an ophthalmologist and get it treated. Never use over-the-counter medicines for any of your infections,” Dr. Kalpana said.

She added that people with common cold symptoms should wear masks and avoid touching commonly used surfaces if they have signs of an eye infection, as infections can spread through secretions.

American TV personality Kim Kardashian has opened up about the steps she takes to care for her health, including taking 35 supplements daily.

Speaking on a podcast, the 45-year-old mother admitted she suffers from “pill fatigue.”

“I take probably 35 supplements a day,” the reality star revealed. “I spread them out three times a day.”

The mother of four said she struggles particularly with fish oil supplements because of their lingering taste, and even wished there were an IV drip alternative available.

“I thought, ‘Okay, I can't do this fish oil anymore. I have pill fatigue. I have to stop these fish oil [supplements], and I got my bloodwork, and it was so evident that I stopped and I had to start again,” Kim said.

“I wish there was like an IV drip (for fish oil) I could do every day, and I would just do it on my way to work,” she added.

Kardashian Family Uses DEXA Scans

Also read: Amy Schumer Opens Up On Side Effects After “Botched” Colonoscopy And Weight Loss Journey

Further, Kim revealed that her family, including her mother, Kris Jenner, and sisters, regularly use DEXA scans to monitor bone density.

A DEXA scan (Dual-Energy X-ray Absorptiometry) is an imaging test that uses low-frequency X-rays to measure bone density and analyze total body composition, including lean muscle, fat mass, and visceral fat.

“I actually know a portable DEXA scan person that comes in a van, and you lie down,” she shared.

“Each one of my sisters and my mom — we all live in the same gated community — so we have the van drive by, and we all jump in the van, and you just lie down, and it scans your body maybe like three minutes. And it tells you all about your bone density.”

Kardashian also said she undergoes yearly scans with her family and is continuing to explore new wellness tools.

Kim's Diagnosis With Brain Aneurysm

Kim has also been diligent about monitoring her health in recent years. In a November 2025 episode of The Kardashians, she revealed that doctors had discovered a small aneurysm in her brain.

At the time, Kim explained that the aneurysm — a balloon-like bulge in a blood vessel in the brain — could be linked to the stress she had experienced over the years. She said her divorce from Kanye West, the responsibilities of being a single mother of four, her multiple business ventures, and studying law had all contributed to immense stress.

Shortly before that episode aired, Kim also discussed the aneurysm during an appearance on Good Morning America.

“It's just a good measure to go; make sure that you always check everything,” Kim said. “Health is wealth, and you just have to be careful with everything that you do.”

Persistent back pain is often ignored as a minor issue, but when it continues or worsens over time, it may be a sign of an underlying spinal condition. One such condition is spinal stenosis, which involves narrowing of one or more spaces within the spinal canal.

It can develop due to age-related changes, herniated discs, thickened ligaments, or previous injuries, most commonly affecting the lower back and neck. Since spinal stenosis progresses slowly and symptoms may appear mild at first, early detection becomes crucial to prevent long-term complications, including permanent nerve damage.

Why Is It Dangerous If Untreated?

In its early stages, spinal stenosis may cause mild discomfort, tingling, or numbness. However, as the narrowing worsens, pressure on the nerves increases. This can lead to chronic pain, weakness in the limbs, and difficulty walking or maintaining balance.

If ignored for a long time, the condition can result in permanent nerve damage. In severe cases, patients may experience loss of bladder or bowel control, a medical emergency that requires immediate attention. Delayed treatment reduces the chances of reversing nerve damage, making early recognition more important.

What Are The Warning Signs To Watch Out For?

While occasional back pain is common, certain symptoms indicate something more serious:

• Persistent back or neck pain that worsens over time
• Numbness or tingling in the arms, legs, or feet
• Muscle weakness or reduced strength
• Difficulty walking or maintaining balance
• Pain that radiates down the legs, especially while standing or walking

How Can It Be Diagnosed?

Diagnosis of spinal stenosis focuses on identifying the extent of spinal narrowing and its impact on nerve function. It usually begins with a detailed assessment of symptoms and physical movement, followed by imaging tests such as spine X-rays, MRI, and CT scans.

In some cases, a CT myelogram may be advised for a more detailed view of the spinal canal and nerve compression. These tests help confirm the condition, locate the affected area, and determine its severity.

How Can It Be Treated?

Treatment depends on how advanced the condition is. In the early stages, simple measures are usually recommended, such as regular exercises like walking or stretching, correcting posture, making ergonomic changes in daily routine, maintaining a healthy weight, and avoiding activities that strain the spine.

However, in more severe cases where nerve compression significantly affects daily functioning, certain procedures may be required.

Minimally invasive spine decompression (MISD) is a modern surgical approach designed to alleviate pressure on spinal nerves while preserving as much of the natural spinal structure as possible. Unlike the traditional laminectomy, which often involves significant removal of bone and muscle, MISD focuses on precision and stability.

Spinal fusion joins two or more bones in the spine to improve stability and reduce excessive movement.

What Are The Tips To Prevent Spinal stenosis?

Preventing spinal stenosis or slowing its progression involves a combination of lifestyle changes and early care:

• Stay physically active: Regular exercise helps strengthen the muscles supporting the spine and reduces strain.
• Maintain good posture: Proper sitting and standing posture prevents unnecessary pressure on the spine.
• Avoid prolonged sitting: Taking frequent breaks helps reduce stiffness and improve spinal flexibility.
• Manage body weight: Excess weight increases pressure on the lower spine, worsening the condition.
• Be mindful while lifting: Using correct techniques prevents sudden strain or injury to the spine.

Ignoring symptoms can lead to irreversible nerve damage and long-term disability. With early diagnosis, proper lifestyle changes, and expert care, it is possible to manage the condition effectively and maintain a good quality of life.