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Life's Too Short... so make the most of it! Try something new, eat something healthy, grow something beautiful, hug someone you love, move around a lot, and be kind to yourself. Melanie Cole, MS brings you the best tips from lifestyle and fitness experts to the best and brightest medical professionals.

Alcohol: Americans Drink Too Much

From the Show: Life's Too Short
Summary: Are you drinking too much?
Air Date: 6/13/17
Duration: 15:01
Guest Bio: John P. Higgins, MD
Dr. John HigginsJohn P. Higgins, MD, MBA (Hons), MPHIL, FACC, FACP, FAHA, FACSM, FASNC, FSGC, is a sports cardiologist for the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Memorial Hermann-Texas Medical Center and the Harris Health System.

His research interests include the effects of energy beverages on the body, and screening for underlying cardiovascular abnormalities in 12-year-olds (sixth graders), and steroid effects on the cardiovascular system.
It’s fun to share a drink with friends. Alcohol is often paired with unwinding and celebration.

But, how much alcohol is too much?

Most people are okay with moderate drinking; one or two drinks per day. Don’t use this a weekly guideline to binge on Friday night. “I didn’t imbibe the rest of the week, so I can have ten cocktails tonight!” That’s not how it works.

Binge drinking is dangerous. It raises blood pressure, damages nerves, causes sexual dysfunction, harms the liver, and can lead to other consequences.

Signs You Might Have a Problem

  • Consuming too many drinks in two hours (4 for women, 5 for men)
  • Blackouts
  • Turning up late to work or performing poorly
  • Engaging in risky behavior
  • Organizing activities around drinking all the time
Best behavior is to drink 12 ounces of water for every alcoholic drink you consume. If you drink when stressed, investigate other ways to reduce your stress. Alcohol should be a treat.

Listen as Dr. John Higgins joins Melanie Cole, MS, to discuss how to avoid drinking too much.