Back to Basics: The effects of high risk drinking on the body
Alcohol and the heart: food, medicine or poison?
People have been producing alcohol for thousands of years and consuming it as part of their diet as well as for medicinal purposes. When taken in moderation, drinking alcohol can be a safe and pleasurable activity with potential heart health benefits. However, those cardiovascular benefits are lost when alcohol is consumed in excess, and drinking becomes harmful with adverse physical, psychological and social consequences.
Alcohol and sex: a risky mixture for sexual health
Alcohol-related harm is a major public health concern, and since April 2013 questions to identify problem drinkers have been included in the NHS Health Check for people aged 40-74 years. But young people are also a key at-risk group for hazardous consumption, and the physical harms of alcohol may be compounded by risks to their sexual health.
Over the limit? A healthier approach to alcohol
Alcohol forms part of the diet for over 90% of adults in the UK and is unusual in being both a nutrient and a drug. For many of us, alcohol is a safe and pleasurable part of the diet. However, there is growing concern that many people who see themselves as social drinkers are consuming levels that may cause harm. Understanding how to assess safe levels of alcohol consumption and identify strategies for cutting down can help us to advise our patients how to moderate their intake.
Over the limit? A healthier approach to alcohol
Alcohol forms part of the diet for over 90% of adults in the UK and is unusual in being both a nutrient and a drug. For many of us, alcohol is a safe and pleasurable part of the diet. However, there is growing concern that many people who see themselves as social drinkers are consuming levels that may cause harm. Understanding how to assess safe levels of alcohol consumption and identify strategies for cutting down can help us to advise our patients how to moderate their intake.
Helping dependent drinkers to give up alcohol
It has been estimated that one in every five patients in the UK drinks to excess, so the average English general practice may have as many as 1,000 problem drinkers. This size of problem can only be dealt with effectively if all members of the primary healthcare team are involved in supporting problem drinkers and ensuring that dependent drinkers are referred to appropriate specialist services.
Should high-intensity interval exercise be recommended for the prevention of long-term conditions?
There is evidence to show that high-intensity interval exercise (HIIE) can increase cardiorespiratory fitness, lower blood pressure, increase insulin sensitivity and reduce body fat. All these are important in preventing the development of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
Weight loss: Which methods really work for patients?
Nearly two thirds of adults in England are overweight and one quarter are obese. Given the physical, social, psychological and economic consequences of overweight and obesity, it is understandable that patients are drawn to fad diets and quick fixes. Unfortunately, there is no easy route to sustained weight loss, but several options are now available that can help patients to lose weight and improve their health.
The portfolio diet: healthier lipids in the bag?
Lifestyle modification for people at high cardiovascular risk includes positive changes to their diet. The portfolio diet is a new approach to lowering cholesterol that builds on a conventional cardioprotective diet by including specific foods that are known to target abnormal lipids.
Discussing weight status with patients: words and context matter
Although primary care consultations appear to represent an excellent opportunity to discuss a patient’s weight status, GPs may be reluctant to do so. Excess weight can be an extremely sensitive issue and some terms (such as obese and fat) may provoke highly negative emotions. People who are overweight or obese say they would find unsolicited advice off-putting, but would also be more likely to try to lose weight if advised by a health professional than by family or friends.
A weighty matter: managing obesity in primary care
At least 22% of men and women in the UK are obese. All health professionals need to be skilled in the initial management of obesity. Behaviour change is core to any strategy, as are brief interventions that incorporate advice on physical activity and healthy eating. Training in primary care needs greater emphasis for the future management of obesity.
The challenge of changing lifestyle behaviours
The challenges to changing lifestyle behaviours and delivering lifestyle support in primary care are described here. The role of primary care in delivering evidence-based interventions for lifestyle change is also discussed.
