If you are like many Americans, you drink alcohol at least occasionally. For many
people, moderate drinking is probably safe. It may even have health benefits, including
reducing your risk of certain heart problems. Moderate drinking is one drink a day
for women or anyone over 65, and two drinks a day for men under 65.
Some people should not drink at all, including alcoholics, children, pregnant women,
people on certain medicines and people with some medical conditions. If you have
questions about whether it is safe for you to drink, speak with your healthcare
provider.
Anything more than moderate drinking can be risky. Binge drinking - drinking five
or more drinks at one time - can damage your health and increase your risk for accidents,
injuries and assault. Years of heavy drinking can lead to liver disease, heart disease,
cancer and pancreatitis. It can also cause problems at home, at work and with friends.
Drugs
Everyone knows what medicines are for - to make you feel better when you are sick.
But many people don't realize that all medicines have risks as well as benefits.
The risks of medicines include unwanted side effects or interactions with food or
other medicines you may be taking. Some risks are not very serious, like an upset
stomach. Others, like liver damage, are more serious.
When a medicine's benefits outweigh its known risks, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration
considers it safe enough to approve. Both prescription and over-the-counter medicines
must be approved before they can be sold in the U.S.
To reduce the risk of a problem, follow the directions carefully when taking medicines.
Make sure that your health care provider knows all of the medicines and supplements
you are using. Also, make sure to mention if you are pregnant or nursing. Some medicines
can hurt your baby.