China's drinking culture has existed for centuries. For many people today, business deals are often sealed over drinks, and some even consider alcohol tolerance a measure of professional competence.
Yet we all know alcohol harms the body, and the dangers of intoxication are severe. Drunkenness can cause dizziness, flushing, rapid heartbeat, nausea, vomiting, acute gastric bleeding, and impaired consciousness. In extreme cases, respiratory muscle paralysis may lead to death.
The Physical Hazards of Intoxication
Studies show that within about five minutes of consuming baijiu, alcohol enters the bloodstream and circulates throughout the body, damaging tissues, organs, and systems. Rapid, heavy drinking can lead to alcohol poisoning.
Alcohol poisoning first affects the cerebral cortex, causing a brief period of nervous excitement where individuals may speak incoherently. Subsequently, the cortex enters an anesthetized state, leading to abnormal behavior, drowsiness, and unconsciousness. If the condition progresses further, it can cause paralysis of vital centers, cessation of heartbeat and breathing, and ultimately death.
1. For chronic drinkers experiencing joint pain or discomfort, be vigilant for signs of bone necrosis to prevent disability.
2. Alcohol severely damages the esophageal and gastric mucosa. In severe cases, it causes mucosal congestion, swelling, and erosion, leading to esophagitis, gastritis, and peptic ulcers.
3. Fetal Alcohol Syndrome. Alcohol is metabolized and excreted slowly in the fetal body, causing various harms to the developing fetus, including birth defects, stillbirth, growth retardation, and behavioral impairments.Studies indicate that consuming an average of 160 grams of baijiu daily leads to severe liver damage in 75% of individuals within 15 years, while also triggering acute cholecystitis and acute pancreatitis.
5. Cerebral cortex atrophy. Reports show that some chronic alcoholics exhibit cortical atrophy, with certain patients also displaying signs of cognitive decline.
6. Alcohol disrupts fat metabolism, elevating blood cholesterol and triglycerides. Heavy drinking accelerates heart rate, causes blood pressure to spike sharply, and significantly increases stroke risk. Long-term consumption also induces fatty degeneration of the heart, severely impairing cardiac function. Therefore, moderation is essential.
Avoid these two actions after drinking alcohol:
1. Drinking tea after alcohol consumption
Li Shizhen documented in Compendium of Materia Medica: "Drinking tea after alcohol harms the kidneys, causing heaviness in the waist and legs, cold pain in the bladder, and may lead to phlegm accumulation and edema."Modern medical research also indicates that tea stimulates gastric acid secretion, making alcohol more likely to damage the stomach lining. The caffeine in tea accelerates heart rate, increasing the burden on the heart. Caffeine in strong tea can constrict blood vessels and raise blood pressure, potentially worsening headaches.
Note: Carbonated beverages accelerate alcohol absorption, hastening intoxication and posing health risks.
2. Avoid bathing immediately after drinking alcohol
Taking a hot bath after drinking accelerates blood circulation and increases energy expenditure, potentially causing hypoglycemia. Individuals with hypertension or cardiovascular diseases face a higher risk of stroke when bathing after drinking. It is advisable to rest briefly before bathing, ideally waiting until sober or postponing until the next day.