High-intensity drinking is worse than binge drinking. But what exactly does it mean? High intensity is defined as consuming an excessive number of drinks in one session: eight or more for women and ten or more for men.

While binge drinking is characterized by having four or five drinks within two hours.

This distinction emerged as researchers noticed that many of the severe consequences associated with binge drinking—like blackouts and alcohol poisoning—were linked to much higher levels of alcohol intake.

Who are the most at risk?

Heavy drinking habits, formerly associated with youth, are changing. Recent studies show that, while high-intensity drinking has decreased among young adults, it is still common among those in their late twenties. Almost one out of every eight people aged 27 to 28 consume 10 or more drinks every session.

Middle-aged individuals are drinking more heavily. It is more prominent in males over 30 and women aged 18 to 64.

The trend can be seen where the middle-aged uses alcohol as a tool to cope with the day-to-day life, whereas for youth, it is to have fun and to explore the adult life.

Risks and Consequences

High-intensity drinking carries a greater risk than regular binge drinking. It is because when you consume such large volumes of alcohol in such a short period of time, it can boost blood alcohol concentration (BAC) to dangerous levels, usually exceeding 0.2%, as opposed to 0.08% for ordinary binge drinking.

This high BAC level increases the risk of disastrous effects, including:

• Injuries and Accidents
• Alcohol Poisoning
• Blackouts
• Hospitalizations

ALSO READ: Is Your Social Drinking Hurting Your Liver? A Scottish Woman Opens About Developing Chronic Liver Disease

Moreover, repeated high-intensity drinking significantly raises the risk of developing alcohol use disorder and contributes to broader societal harms such as relationship issues, property damage, and physical assaults.

Why is there a change in drinking patterns?

The reason why one opts for high-intensity drinking patterns varies by age. For youth, it is mostly peer pressure and seeking fun. However it does have its own downsides.

For middle-aged and older adults, stress, life pressures, and emotional coping mechanisms are more common drivers. However, studies have shown that alcohol does not help you cope with stress. These motivations highlight the evolving role of alcohol as a tool for both celebration and self-medication, depending on the stage of life.

The Need for Greater Awareness

The rise of high-intensity drinking underscores the importance of addressing its unique dangers. While binge drinking is risky, consuming eight or more drinks exponentially increases the likelihood of harm. Experts emphasize that the “dose makes the poison,” and this extreme form of alcohol use deserves heightened attention.

By understanding the motivations and risks associated with high-intensity drinking, individuals can make informed decisions and seek support if needed, particularly during festive seasons that often encourage overindulgence.

Your weight not only affects your heart health but also your brain health. A recent study published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism has revealed a powerful connection between your body weight, heart and brain.

After studying over 500,000 people, scientists discovered that having a high Body Mass Index (BMI) can nearly double your chances of developing brain-related illnesses later in life, which confirms that being overweight and having high blood pressure are not just general health concerns, they are direct causes of dementia.

How Does Your Weight Affect Brain Health?

The study focused heavily on vascular dementia, a specific type of memory loss that occurs when the brain is damaged because of a lack of blood flow.

Think of your blood vessels like a system of pipes. If those pipes are narrowed or blocked due to weight-related issues, the "engine" (your brain) doesn't get the fuel it needs. Over time, this lack of oxygen and nutrients leads to permanent brain damage and the loss of memory and thinking skills.

Researchers found that high blood pressure, often caused by carrying extra weight, is the main "middleman" in this process. Blood pressure is measured with two numbers, and both play a part in brain health:

Systolic

This is the pressure when your heart beats. It accounts for about 18 percent of the link between obesity and dementia.

Diastolic

This is the pressure when your heart rests between beats. It accounts for about 25 percent of the link. When these numbers stay high, they constantly "batter" the delicate vessels in the brain, causing them to weaken or clog.

How Weight Affects the Brain

Beyond just blood flow, a high BMI impacts the brain in several other ways:

Increased Inflammation

Obesity often causes the body to be in a constant state of "alarm" or inflammation. This can irritate the immune system and eventually damage brain cells.

Metabolism Issues

When the body struggles to process energy and food properly, it changes how the brain uses energy, which can lead to cognitive decline.

Heart Strain

A heart that has to work harder to pump blood through a larger body eventually becomes less efficient at sending blood all the way up to the brain. Your heart essentially has to do twice as much work as it would at a lower weight.

Can Preventing Obesity Help Dementia?

The most encouraging takeaway from this study is that dementia isn't always a matter of bad luck or "old age." Researchers call this an unexploited opportunity.

By managing your weight and blood pressure early in life, through a healthy diet, consistent exercise, and good sleep, you are essentially "dementia-proofing" your brain. The researchers suggested that intervening early, possibly even with weight-loss medications before symptoms start, could be a key strategy for protecting brain health in the future.

How Much Does Obesity Affect Worldwide?

According to the World Health Organization, one in eight people in the world are living with obesity. In 2022, about 2.5 billion adults were overweight. Causes of it vary, from things like diseases or chronic conditions, to the kind of food that is available to consume.

Heart attacks need immediate intervention and Dr. Balbir revealed one medicine that can save a life when this happens: Aspirin. In an interview with HealthandMe, Dr. Singh revealed that one does not need fancy equipment to help a person having a heart attack.

“If the history of the family history or cholesterol or diabetic. This patient is at risk, so what is the medicine if you get such a symptom? Aspirin.”

What Medicine Can Help a Heart Attack?

Dr. Singh points out that if you or someone near you begins to experience symptoms of a heart attack, such as heavy chest pain, pressure, or unexplained sweating, taking a dissolvable aspirin immediately can be a lifesaver.

By dissolving a tablet (like Dispirin) in a glass of water and drinking it, the medicine dissolves into the bloodstream much more quickly than simply ingesting it.

Aspirin works by thinning the blood and preventing further clotting in the arteries, which can stop a heart attack from getting worse before medical professionals arrive.

Other Preventative Measures To Take For Heart Attack

Before medical professionals arrive, performing CPR can also help save a person's life; however, one must know the right way to do CPR.

While speaking to HealthandMe, Dr Singh mentioned a viral video where a person collapses and someone attempts to give them CPR while they are still sitting in a chair, notng that this was 'a dangerous mistake' and people should steer clear away from such false videos.

He explained that you cannot perform CPR on someone who is sitting up as the body must be positioned correctly for the heart and lungs to receive the benefit of the chest compressions.

Without the proper technique, blood will not reach the brain and your efforts will not help the patient. Understanding the proper sequence of events is the difference between a failed attempt and a saved life.

Step 1: The Importance of Positioning

If someone collapses, immediately place them flat on their back on a hard floor. You need the ground's resistance to pump the heart manually. In this position, the heart is "sandwiched" between the rib cage and spine. On a soft bed, your presses will fail to squeeze the heart effectively.

Step 2: Focus on the Heart First

Dr. Singh emphasizes that restarting the heart is the absolute priority. Place both hands in the center of the chest and use your body weight to press firmly. By pushing the rib cage toward the spine, you force the heart to pump. Often, once circulation starts, the patient begins breathing again spontaneously.

Step 3: The Proper CPR Sequence

If the person doesn't wake up, begin a rhythm of three chest presses followed by one mouth-to-mouth breath. Lock your elbows and press hard to ensure the heart is being squeezed between the bones. This specific cycle keeps oxygenated blood moving to the brain, preventing permanent damage during a cardiac emergency.

How Common Are Heart Attacks?

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, heart attacks claim a life every 34 seconds. In 2023, it caused nearly 920,000 deaths, one in every three recorded. Hence it is important to know not just the ways to help when someone has a heart attack but also how to prevent them.

Your weight not only affects your heart health but also your brain health. A recent study published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism has revealed a powerful connection between your body weight, your heart, and your brain. The study confirms that being overweight and having high blood pressure are not just general health concerns, they are direct causes of dementia.

By studying over 500,000 people, scientists discovered that having a high Body Mass Index (BMI) can nearly double your chances of developing brain-related illnesses later in life.

How Does Your Weight Affect Brain health?

The study focused heavily on vascular dementia. This specific type of memory loss occurs when the brain is damaged because blood cannot flow through it properly.

Think of your blood vessels like a system of pipes. If those pipes are narrowed or blocked due to weight-related issues, the "engine" (your brain) doesn't get the fuel it needs. Over time, this lack of oxygen and nutrients leads to permanent brain damage and the loss of memory and thinking skills.

Researchers found that high blood pressure, often caused by carrying extra weight, is the main "middleman" in this process. Blood pressure is measured with two numbers, and both play a part in brain health:

Systolic

This is the pressure when your heart beats. It accounts for about 18% of the link between obesity and dementia.

Diastolic

This is the pressure when your heart rests between beats. it accounts for about 25% of the link. When these numbers stay high, they constantly "batter" the delicate vessels in the brain, causing them to weaken or clog.

Why Weight Affects the Brain

Beyond just blood flow, a high BMI impacts the brain in several other ways:

Increased Inflammation

Obesity often causes the body to be in a constant state of "alarm" or inflammation. This can irritate the immune system and eventually damage brain cells.

Metabolism Issues

When the body struggles to process energy and food correctly, it changes the way the brain uses energy, which can lead to cognitive decline.

Heart Strain

A heart that has to work harder to pump blood through a larger body eventually becomes less efficient at sending blood all the way up to the brain. Your heart essentially has to do double the work than it would have to at a lesser weight.

Can Preventing Obesity Help Dementia?

The most encouraging takeaway from this study is that dementia isn't always a matter of bad luck or "old age." Researchers call this an unexploited opportunity.

By managing your weight and blood pressure early in life, through a healthy diet, consistent exercise, and good sleep, you are essentially "dementia-proofing" your brain. The researchers suggested that intervening early, possibly even with weight-loss medications before symptoms start, could be a key strategy for protecting brain health in the future.

How Much Does Obesity Affect Worldwide?

According to the World Health Organization, 1 in 8 people in the world are living with obesity. In 2022, about 2.5 billion adults were overweight. Causes of it vary, from things like diseases or chronic conditions, to the kind of food that is available to consume.