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As alcohol consumption continues to increase since the start of COVID- 19, experts at Brand New Day, a California Medicare health plan, are issuing a warning about its effects on one’s overall health and is offering tips on how abusers might “rewire” their behaviors. Particularly concerning is alcohol consumption is linked to a range of communicable and noncommunicable diseases and mental health disorders, especially among seniors.
Researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital revealed some startling statistics including how they expect the increase in alcohol consumption during COVID-19 to cause an estimated 8,000 additional deaths from alcohol-related liver disease, 18,700 cases of liver failure, and 1,000 cases of liver cancer by 2040. It also found that a sustained increase in alcohol consumption for more than one year could result in 19-35% additional deaths.
The Department of Health and Human Services (DHS) says drinking too much alcohol on a regular basis can also cause cancer, heart disease, hypertension, stroke, suicidal ideation, and other serious medical conditions. Increased alcohol consumption presents even more health risks for seniors.
According to James Pratty, M.D., Director of Behavioral Health for Brand New Day, older adults generally experience the effects of alcohol more quickly and powerfully than when they were younger. This puts them at higher risk for falls, accidents, and other unintentional injuries.
“Heavy drinking also makes some medical problems less detectable. For instance, alcohol causes changes in the heart and blood vessels that can dull the pain one feels during the onset of a heart attack,” he says. “Also, it can cause some older people to be forgetful and confused — symptoms that could be mistaken for signs of dementia or Alzheimer’s disease.”
Brand New Day adheres to the DHS’s recommendations that adults limit their alcohol use to two drinks or fewer in a day for men and one drink or fewer a day for women.
For those currently abusing alcohol, there is help in the form of counseling, AA, and medical intervention. And, for those not yet fully caught in the throes of alcoholism, there is another form of hope that involves “rewiring” their brains by making lifestyle adjustments.
Brand New Day suggests the following behavioral changes: go to bed earlier to reduce the temptation of drinking while reading or watching TV; wake up earlier in the mornings and start the day by exercising or meditating; replace alcohol with “mocktails” or other nonalcoholic beverages; surround yourself with nondrinkers; join an amateur sports team, local theater company, take art classes, or support a nonprofit/community project to spend your free time rather than on sedentary activities; and find an app like Cutback Coach that allows you to monitor your alcohol use and offers positive reinforcement to change.
Brand New Day works with independent brokers throughout the state and can arrange for an in-person appointment for those wanting to review the plans in their area. Brand New Day is a subsidiary of Bright HealthCare and Bright Health Group. For more information about the Brand New Day Medicare Advantage plans, call (866) 255-4795, TTY 711 and visit www.BNDHMO.com.
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Contact Info:
Name: Frank Groff
Email: Send Email
Organization: Brand New Day
Address: 5455 Garden Grove Blvd, Suite 500, Westminster, CA 92683, United States
Phone: +1-562-225-9981
Website: https://BNDHMO.com
Source: PressCable
Release ID: 89076900
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