Year-end "three drinks" as a turning point? Excessive drinking may accelerate the onset of stroke by 11 years

When looking back at the end-of-year calendar, do your plans for drinking appear as a "band" rather than "dots"? Year-end parties, finishing work, returning home, reunions, and New Year's parties. In this season of continuous toasts, alcohol consumption can easily increase beyond one's awareness.

At such a time, the topic that spread was "excessive drinking increases the risk of early AVC (stroke)." The basis of this is a study using large-scale hospital data from the United States, with a rather direct conclusion—those who habitually drink "three or more drinks a day" are more likely to experience brain hemorrhage (intracerebral hemorrhage) at a younger age and more severely. AAN

"11 years earlier," "70% larger"—the impact shown by the study

According to the announcement (AAN press release), the subjects were about 1,600 patients with non-traumatic intracerebral hemorrhage. When compared by self-reported alcohol consumption, those who drink three or more drinks a day, categorized as "heavy drinkers," were compared to those who did not.

• The average age of onset was 64 years (non-heavy drinkers averaged 75 years), which is about 11 years earlier

• The average volume of bleeding was about 70% larger

• There was a tendency for more bleeding in the deep parts of the brain or spreading into the ventricles (findings likely related to severity).
  AAN

Additionally, the point that there were more **white matter lesions (findings associated with brain "aging" and small vessel damage)** on scans was also noted.AAN

What needs to be emphasized here is that this is not a simple story of "drinking too much once at the end of the year is immediately out." The study focuses on the possibility that "habitually excessive" drinking habits accumulate stress on the vascular and hemostatic systems.

What does "three drinks a day" mean? (Easier to exceed than you think)

In this study, one drink is generally equivalent to about 14g of pure alcohol (approximately 350ml of beer, 150ml of wine, or 45ml of distilled spirits as a guideline).AAN

At year-end gatherings, the sense of "number of drinks" can easily be skewed with strong highballs, large servings of wine, or large bottles of craft beer. As a result, "realizing you've exceeded the equivalent of three drinks" can easily happen.

Why does "excessive drinking" link to brain hemorrhage?

Reports and explanations mainly describe the following lines.

• Impact on blood pressure: Drinking tends to raise blood pressure, and chronic hypertension is a major factor in intracerebral hemorrhage.Noticias R7

• Damage to small vessels: There is a direction indicating an increase in findings of "small vessel disease" such as white matter lesions.AAN

• Impact on hemostasis (such as platelets): It was reported that platelet levels were lower in the heavy drinking group, which could affect the volume of bleeding.AAN

Of course, stroke is not determined by alcohol consumption alone. Smoking, lack of sleep, dehydration, stress, and glucose metabolism all combine to move the risk "in total." However, the end of the year and New Year is also a season where these conditions are likely to coincide.

SNS Reactions: The Spread Divides into "Empathy," "Confusion," and "Practical Solutions"

This article has been shared on social media, circulating as VivaBem posts (Facebook) and related posts (Instagram).Facebook

While the content of comments cannot be directly read in this environment, the prominent reactions in widespread health news generally divide into the following three types.

1) Empathy and Self-Check Type
Reactions that incorporate into life planning, such as "I might exceed it normally during the year-end" or "Plan a 'liver rest day' not just as a 'feeling'."

2) Confusion and Definition Confirmation Type
Reactions wanting to verify the conversion of amounts and assumptions, such as "How much is three drinks?" or "Are 'every day' and 'binge drinking' treated the same?" This is crucial, as creating a "personal drink conversion" once can reduce accidents.

3) Practical Solution and Hack Type
Reactions aimed at reducing risk without going to zero, such as "drink water in between," "eat before drinking," or "decide on a way home first."

While discussions on social media tend to polarize, what ultimately proves useful is not stopping at "fear" but turning it into action.

How to "Protect" Yourself During the Year-End and New Year—Even If You Can't Make It Zero, You Can Reduce the Damage

• Decide on an "Upper Limit" in Advance: Plan not to exceed the equivalent of three drinks (including strength and glass size).AAN

• Avoid Consecutive Days: Schedule liver rest days.

• Include Water and Meals: Avoid dehydration, hypoglycemia, and sudden intoxication.

• Be Especially Careful if You Have High Blood Pressure: Drinking and year-end lifestyle disruptions can easily cause spikes.Noticias R7

• Don't Assume "Intoxication" as the Only Danger Sign: If there is distortion on one side of the face, arm weakness, or slurred speech, call for emergency assistance.

Summary: Protecting the Brain's "Future" in the Season of Toasts

What this study presents is not a matter of willpower, but numbers. Habitual heavy drinking of three or more drinks a day was associated with causing intracerebral hemorrhage an average of 11 years earlier and making the bleeding larger.AAN

To enjoy the year-end and New Year, what might be necessary is not a "no drinking declaration," but planning a way of drinking that allows you to greet the next year normally.