COULD YOU BE AT RISK?

Binge drinking is a well publicised problem in the UK and is largely correlated with the drinking culture of young people.

But if you think it only refers to the people you see falling out of night clubs, throwing up in the street or generally making a nuisance of themselves after a night out you are very much mistaken.

In fact, if you are female who consumes two thirds of a bottle of wine in one session or a man who puts away four pints of beer on an evening out you are officially in the "binge drinking" category.

Current recommendations from the Department Of Health say that women should not consume more than 2-3 units of alcohol per day (14-21 per week) and men not more than 3-4 units per day (21-28 per week). *

If you regularly drink more than this you are putting your health at risk.

While modest amounts of alcohol can actually be beneficial, (research has shown that one drink per day may reduce the risk of heart disease) drinking excessively is dangerous and harmful.

If you regularly drink to excess you will progressively increase your risk of developing alcohol related disease.

The latest data from the national diet and nutrition survey of adults shows that 60 % of men and 44 % of women consume more than the recommended intake of alcohol on a least one day of the week, and a small percentage do so every day.

WHAT ARE THE HEALTH RISKS?

You can feel the effects of alcohol the morning after but the real damage is going on in your internal organs.

Repeated excessive alcohol intake has been linked to an increased risk of breast cancer for women and an increased risk of mouth and liver cancer in both men and women. That risk is further amplified if you smoke.

Alcohol also increases risk of high blood pressure and stroke, and is a recognised risk factor for liver disease. Furthermore, it acts as a depressant and can increase feelings of anger and violence.

HOW CAN I REDUCE MY RISK?

First and foremost aim to stick within the recommended guidelines and avoid drinking large quantities of alcohol in one session where possible. If you are planning a heavy night out make sure you eat before you drink (lining your stomach with milk really does help to reduce hangovers) and make sure you have a glass of water between every couple of drinks.

Drinking two pints of water before bed will also reduce the chances of a hangover.

More importantly, avoid drinking for at least 48 hours following heavy alcohol intake to give your body a chance to recover.

*One unit is the equivalent of half a pint of lager, a small glass of wine or a single measure of spirit (25ml).