Effects of Alcoholism in breast feeding mothers

May 30, 2015

Effects of Alcoholism in breast feeding mothers: Does Mom’s Drinking Harm Breastfed Babies?

Effects of Alcoholism in breast feeding mothers. In this case both the mother and the baby are negatively affected

Children are not just gifts but are blessings that everyone would desire to have. When we are privileged to get them the laws of the land tasks us with their care, protection and well upbringing. Those who don’t have them live in great hopes of getting at least one in the near future. What surprises many is the way some parents fail to appreciate the priceless value of children they have more so to those parents who are intoxicating their lives with alcohol. If alcohol can cause one to neglect her own children, then to such a person of what benefit is alcohol? Surely the effects of alcoholism in breast feeding mothers cannot be this cruel. The purpose of this article is to dig deep into the injustices that we cause our young ones all in the name of misuse of alcohol. If you have been with us on this link, you must have come a cross from our previous posting where doctor Akoury in total disbelief could not understand why in a town the number of bars outnumbered the combined total of schools, churches, hospitals and mosque. This is a worrying trend because young children and the unborn children become the grater losers. Unborn children get hooked up in alcohol direct from their mothers’ wombs and young growing children suffer neglect. If all these are blamed on alcohol abuse, then what is good in alcohol if it is used like a sweeping broom to clear a whole generation!

Now let me bring it more closer to you for better understanding. Supposing you were walking along the way and you meet a young lady drunk disorderly with her seated next to her not knowing what is going on what would that register in your mind? And let say after that unbelievable sight you proceeded with your journey and decided to branch at you usual joint for one or two before finally leaving for home. Then when you get to the joint you see a breast feeding mother drinking one after the other and at the same time trying to pay attention to her young baby what would ring in your mind? I don’t know what is in your mind but ordinarily the sight of a mother breastfeeding while drinking a glass of wine no doubt has garnered disapproving stares and maybe some choice words from passersby.

These are some of the reasons that guided doctor Dalal Akoury’s decision into to creating a medical center (AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center) whose main objective is to transform each individual’s life through increasing awareness about health and wellness and by empowering individuals to find their own inner healing power. Because knowledge is power doctor Akoury is using this platform to spread the message of hope to all addicts male and female. It is through informing people that those in the dark may get to the light and opt for assistance. I know that denial is a very big threat in this journey and so even if you want to bring everybody on board it may not possible, but if just one person take the heed and accepts to be rehabilitated, and this individual goes through the treatment program successfully, that would be an achievement. Remember that when one is affected the whole household grief’s and in the same way when one has been successfully rehabilitated the benefits extends to the whole family and the community as well. Your health is our command and that is why Dr. Akoury’s practice focuses on personalized medicine through healthy lifestyle choices that deal with primary prevention and underlying causes instead of patching up symptoms what an opportunity you have to start all over again. It is never too late nor is it too early to seek for help schedule for an appointment with doctor Akoury today and be the next beneficiary of comfortable and healthy life that is free from any traces of addiction.

Doctor Akoury further explains that it is not recommended to drink excessively while nursing because of the passage of the alcohol into the mummery breast milk. It is important to note that excessive alcohol while breastfeeding is not only harmful to a baby who is breastfeeding but also life threatening. However at the moment it is not very easy to conclusively tell the extent of how much harm, because many of the women who drink excessively after [delivery] are those who have already been drinking excessively while they were nursing pregnancy.

Effects of Alcoholism in breast feeding mothers: Drink in moderation

It is one thing that has not been achieved by many more so when making reference to substances which are this addictive. I am talking about the policy of moderate drinking. It is very easy to say moderate and it is all a different ball game to have it implemented. It is no wonder that when you listen to the media content these days you can only scratch your head. All that is in the news is that Madam X or Y was charged with child neglect because they were extremely intoxicated with alcoholic substances. Such news makes you wonder whether it’s OK for a nursing mother to be subjected to such penalties of jail terms. Are they candidates for jails or for a rehab centre? It would be appropriate for such mothers to be first molded into moderate drinking and progressively clear off their intoxication.

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, “Breastfeeding mothers should avoid the use of alcoholic beverages, because alcohol is concentrated in breast milk and its use can inhibit milk production. An occasional celebratory single, small alcoholic drink is acceptable, but breastfeeding should be avoided for 2 hours after the drink.”

Large amounts of alcohol via mother’s milk can cause drowsiness, weakness, and decreases in growth and other health issues in babies.

In terms of long-term effects on infants, limited information is available, according to guidelines developed by the Sonoma County Breastfeeding Coalition and the Sonoma County Perinatal Alcohol and Other Drug Action Team in 2008. The guidelines highlight a 1989 study that showed chronic exposure to alcohol via a lactating mom (even if she has as little as one drink daily) can have detrimental effects on the infant’s motor development.

Effects of Alcoholism in breast feeding mothers: Keep breastfeeding

Alcohol levels in breast milk peak about 30 minutes to an hour after drinking alcohol (on an empty stomach). And as mom’s blood alcohol level drops, so does that of breast milk because the alcohol is diffusing back into the bloodstream that is according to research published in 1995 in the Journal of Human Lactation. Therefore “pumping and dumping,” in which nursing mothers use a breast pump to suck out some milk and proceed to ditch it before letting infants latch on, might not do the trick.

More than 75 percent of U.S. mothers today breastfeed either exclusively or in combination with infant formula for a period of up to six weeks. But after that the numbers drop off, and when infants reach six months, only 15 percent to 16 percent of mother’s breastfeed exclusively. The good news is that most people who breastfeed choose to breastfeed because they are concerned and interested in the health and well-being of their child, so the overwhelming majority of women who breastfeed, and if they do drink any alcohol they do so in moderation, so there’s no problem.

Effects of Alcoholism in breast feeding mothers: Does Mom’s Drinking Harm Breastfed Babies?

Common signs and symptoms of alcohol abuse

May 29, 2015

Common signs and symptoms of alcohol abuse: The Identification mechanism of alcohol addiction

Common signs and symptoms of alcohol abuse are very necessary in the recovery process

It may not be very practical for anyone to candidly talk about alcohol abuse if the individual is not privy to the information about certain common signs and symptoms of alcohol abuse. It therefore means that you cannot purport to be dealing with the problem of alcohol abuse if you are not in the know of the signs and symptoms of the substance. This is what doctor Dalal Akoury is going to help us understand for a couple of minutes in this article and you don’t want to miss on the expertise of this great and experienced addiction professional of over two decades of offering lasting treatment solutions to her clients. You too can be part of her great team of fully recovered alcoholic and join in the long list of positive testimonies by scheduling for an appointment with her today for the commencement of your recovery journey. In the meantime let us get back to the subject of discussion. The following will be some of the indicators that you may be jumping into alcohol addiction at a very high speed:

If you have been repeatedly neglecting your responsibilities at home, work, or school because of your drinking. Like for instance, performing poorly at work, flunking classes, neglecting your kids, or skipping out on commitments because of your drinking hung over.
Using alcohol in situations where it’s both physically, socially, morally and psychologically dangerous like for example, drinking and driving, operating machinery while intoxicated, or mixing alcohol with prescription medication against doctor’s orders.
When you are ever experiencing repeated legal problems with the law enforcement agencies on account of your drinking. For example, being arrested for driving under the influence or for drunk and disorderly conduct.
Continuing to drink even though your alcohol use is causing problems in your relationships. Getting drunk with your buddies, for example, even though you know your wife will be very upset, or fighting with your family because they dislike how you act when you drink.
Drinking as a way to relax or de-stress. Many drinking problems start when people use alcohol to self-soothe and relieve stress. Getting drunk after every stressful day, for example, or reaching for a bottle every time you have an argument with your spouse or boss.

Common signs and symptoms of alcohol abuse: The path from alcohol abuse to alcoholism

Not all alcohol abusers become full-blown alcoholics, but it is a big risk factor. Sometimes alcoholism develops suddenly in response to a stressful change, such as a breakup, retirement, or another loss. Other times, it gradually creeps up on you as your tolerance to alcohol increases. If you’re a binge drinker or you drink every day, the risks of developing alcoholism are greater.

Common signs and symptoms of alcohol abuse: Signs and symptoms of alcoholism (alcohol dependence)

Alcoholism is the most severe form of problem drinking. Alcoholism involves all the symptoms of alcohol abuse, but it also involves another element: physical dependence on alcohol. If you rely on alcohol to function or feel physically compelled to drink, you’re an alcoholic.

Tolerance

Under normal circumstances, this is often the major warning sign of alcoholism. If your answer to these questions is yes, then tolerance is clearly observable. Do you have to drink a lot more than you used to in order to get buzzed or to feel relaxed? Can you drink more than other people without getting drunk? These are signs of tolerance, which can be an early warning sign of alcoholism. Tolerance means that, over time, you need more and more alcohol to feel the same effects.

Withdrawal

After tolerance withdrawal comes in second as one of the major warning sign of alcoholism and a gain if your answer to these questions is yes then it is easy to conclude that alcoholism is knocking on your door. Do you need a drink to steady the shakes in the morning? Drinking to relieve or avoid withdrawal symptoms is a sign of alcoholism and a huge red flag. When you drink heavily, your body gets used to the alcohol and experiences withdrawal symptoms if it’s taken away. These include:

Anxiety or jumpiness
Shakiness or trembling
Sweating
Depression
Headache
Insomnia
Irritability
Nausea and vomiting
Loss of appetite
Fatigue

Doctor Akoury notes it is important to take into account that in severe cases, withdrawal from alcohol can also involve hallucinations, confusion, seizures, fever, and agitation. It is therefore very important that as soon as these symptoms are identified, timely action must be taken because they can be dangerous; therefore schedule for an appointment with doctor Akoury and let treatment begins without any further delays.

Other signs and symptoms of alcoholism (alcohol dependence)

You’ve lost control over your drinking. You often drink more alcohol than you wanted to, for longer than you intended, or despite telling yourself you wouldn’t.
You want to quit drinking, but something is just pulling you back making you to embrace the fact that you can’t. You have a persistent desire to cut down or stop your alcohol use, but your efforts to quit have been unsuccessful.
You have given up other activities because of alcohol. You’re spending less time on activities that used to be important to you (hanging out with family and friends, going to the gym, pursuing your hobbies) because of your alcohol use.
Alcohol takes up a great deal of your energy and focus. You spend a lot of time drinking, thinking about it, or recovering from its effects. You have few if any interests or social involvements that don’t revolve around drinking.
You drink even though you know it’s causing problems. For example, you recognize that your alcohol use is damaging your marriage, making your depression worse, or causing health problems, but you continue to drink anyway.

Common signs and symptoms of alcohol abuse: Drinking problems and denial

Finally doctor Akoury says that denial is one of the biggest obstacles to getting help for alcohol abuse and alcoholism. The desire to drink is so strong that the mind finds many ways to justifying drinking, even when the consequences are obvious. Therefore if you find yourself justifying your drinking habits by lying about them or refusing to discuss the subject, take a moment to consider why you’re so defensive. If you truly believe you don’t have a problem, there should be no reason for you to cover up your drinking or make excuses.

Common signs and symptoms of alcohol abuse: The Identification mechanism of alcohol addiction

General effects of Alcohol

August 13, 2014

General effects of Alcohol – Drug Addiction

Whatever the stage of alcohol addiction you’re in there is help and all is not lost. All you need to do is to reach out for it and your alcoholic state will be reversed

It all begins with an introductory simple sip which appears to be very harmless as it is taken then the simplicity gains momentum from the influence of your friends and it is no longer a simple sip but a simple drink and because you want to fit in and be counted, you join in the club of belonging. You are now accepted and you feel well placed and can be counted among your peers. However in doing all these you have just started the journey of health problems and complications which will also start in almost the same way you got into alcohol consumption. Health complications will also start in very simple ways and as you continue drinking they graduated from one level to another. My dear reader alcohol consumption is not good for your health. Don’t listen to what is called responsible drinking. There is nothing like that when it comes to addictive substance like alcohol. The effects of alcohol are very costly and complicated if you are not drinking please stay that way and if you are drinking already then you need to make that bold decision and stop what you call responsible drinking and move to responsible healthy living. Why am I saying all this, let us interrogate some of the effects of alcohol for better understanding of the magnitude.

Heart Disease and Stroke

When people drink moderately there is the possibility of some element of improvement of health by reduction of certain risk factors like increasing HDL i.e. good cholesterol levels. This is only minimal and it is subject to consuming like one or two units of alcohol daily. It is important to understand that this does not in any way indicate that drinking alcohol unilaterally reduce cardiovascular risk because excessive consumption will definitely affect your health negatively. Alcohol being a toxic substance has the ability to damage the heart muscles making heart disease to be the leading cause of death among alcoholics. Alcohol abuse increases levels of triglycerides (unhealthy fats) and increases the risks for high blood pressure, heart failure, and stroke. In addition, the extra calories in alcohol can contribute to obesity, a major risk factor for many heart problems. You can read more in our obesity segment.

Cancer

Alcohol abuse and dependence may increase the risk for certain type of cancers like mouth, throat, esophageal, gastrointestinal, liver, and colorectal, cancers. When it comes to some of these risks there is no safe limits and the dangers are realistic even with very minimal consumption having adverse effects on breast cancer. It is therefore important that alcohol consumption be avoided in totality for attainment of good health.

Effects on the Lungs

Pneumonia – Over time, chronic alcoholism can cause severe reductions in white blood cells, which increase the risk for community-acquired pneumonia i.e. pneumonia acquired outside of hospitals or nursing homes. When patients are inebriated they are also at risk for aspiration of mucus from the airways, causing pneumonia. Patients who abuse alcoholism have a greater risk for developing severe pneumonia. It is therefore advisable that patients with alcohol dependence receive an annual pneumococcal pneumonia vaccination and so when you start seeing signs like high fever, cough, and stabbing chest pains you must consult with your doctor immediately.

Skin, Muscle, and Bone Disorders

Severe alcoholism is associated with osteoporosis i.e. loss of bone density, muscular deterioration, skin sores, and itching. Women often seem to face a higher risk than men for damage to muscles, including muscles of the heart, from the toxic effects of alcohol.

Reproduction and Fetal Development

Sexual Function and Fertility – Alcoholism increases levels of the female hormone estrogen and reduces levels of the male hormone testosterone, factors that possibly contribute to erectile dysfunction and enlarged breasts in men, and infertility in women. Such changes may also be responsible for the higher risks for absent periods and abnormal uterine bleeding in women with alcoholism.

Drinking during Pregnancy and Effects on the Infant – there is no safe drinking when it comes to pregnant mothers. That which you call moderate amounts of alcohol is more than enough to cause damaging effects on the development of the fetus in several ways like low birth weight and an increased risk for miscarriage. High amounts can cause fetal alcohol syndrome a condition that can cause mental and growth retardation. Although there is no specific amount of alcohol intake, the risk of developing the syndrome is increased depending on the time of alcohol exposure during pregnancy, a pattern of drinking (four or more drinks per occasion), and how often alcohol consumption occurs.

Effect on Weight and Diabetes

Moderate alcohol consumption may help protect the hearts of adults with type 2 diabetes. Heavy drinking, however, is associated with obesity, which is a risk factor for this form of diabetes. In addition, alcohol can cause hypoglycemia, a drop in blood sugar, which is especially dangerous for people with diabetes who are taking insulin. Intoxicated diabetics may not be able to recognize symptoms of hypoglycemia.

Effect on Central and Peripheral Nervous System and Mental Functioning

Drinking too much alcohol can cause immediate mild neurologic problems in anyone life including insomnia and headache. Long-term alcohol use can physically affect the brain. Depending on length and severity of alcohol abuse, neurologic damage may not be permanent, and abstinence nearly always leads to eventual recovery of normal mental function.

Effect on Mental Functioning – Recent high alcohol use (within the last 3 months) is associated with some loss of verbal memory and slower reaction times. Over time, chronic alcohol abuse can impair so-called “executive functions,” which include:

Problem solving
Mental flexibility
Short-term memory and
Attention.

These problems are usually mild to moderate and can last for weeks or even years after a person quit drinking. In fact, such persistent problems in judgment are possibly one reason for the difficulty in quitting. Alcoholic patients who have co-existing psychiatric or neurologic problems are at particular risk for mental confusion and depression.

Vitamin and Mineral Deficiencies

People with alcoholism should be sure to take vitamin and mineral supplements. Even apparently well-nourished people with alcoholism may be deficient in important nutrients. Luck of vitamin B pose particular health risks in alcoholics. Other vitamin and mineral deficiencies, however, can also cause widespread health problems. The bottom line is that good and proper diet needs to be adhered to at all times.

Folate Deficiencies – Alcohol interferes with the metabolism of folate, a very important B vitamin, called folic acid when used as a supplement. Folate deficiencies can cause severe anemia. Deficiencies during pregnancy can lead to birth defects in the infant.

Wernicke-Korsakoff Syndrome – Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome is a serious consequence of severe thiamin (vitamin B1) deficiency in alcoholism. Symptoms of this syndrome include severe loss of balance, confusion, and memory loss. Eventually, it can result in permanent brain damage and death. Once the syndrome develops, oral supplements have no effect, and only adequate and rapid intravenous vitamin B1 can help rescue this serious condition.

Peripheral Neuropathy – Vitamin B12 deficiencies can also lead to peripheral neuropathy, a condition that causes pain, tingling, and other abnormal sensations in the arms and legs.

We have listed a number of health conditions critically affected by alcohol consumption and from our introduction, by now you must have realizes how gradual alcohol ruins peoples live. That is why doctor Akoury founded this facility (AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center) to professionally offer the much needed addiction treatment to all addicts. Under Doctor Akoury’s care and her able and experience team you will be treated in the best possible way which will not only be natural but also focus on Neuroendocrine Restoration (NER) to reinstate normality through realization of the oneness of Spirit, Mind, and Body, Unifying the threesome into ONE.

General effects of Alcohol – Drug Addiction

Dangers of drinking alcohol while pregnant

March 7, 2014

Dangers of drinking alcohol while pregnant-Find out from Experts

the dangers of drinking alcohol while pregnant have great effect on the unborn child

We don’t know for sure how much alcohol is safe for you to have while you’re pregnant. That’s why experts tend to advise that you either don’t have any alcohol in pregnancy, or that you at least don’t drink alcohol for the first three months of your pregnancy.

If you drink alcohol during the last six months of your pregnancy, you should have no more than one or two units, once or twice a week. You shouldn’t drink enough to feel drunk.

Heavy, regular or binge drinking is dangerous for your baby. A heavy drinker is someone who is regularly drinking six or more units of alcohol a day, but rarely feels drunk.

A binge drinker can be defined as someone who may not drink for days at a time, but then drinks five or more units of alcohol in a short space of time, or drinks with the purpose of getting drunk.
Dangers of drinking alcohol while pregnant-Why is alcohol a problem

Alcohol is a toxin. When you drink alcohol, it rapidly reaches your baby through the placenta, via your bloodstream. Heavy, regular or binge drinking can cause miscarriage and premature birth. Too much alcohol can even increase the risk of your baby being stillborn.

If you drink too much alcohol during pregnancy, it can permanently damage your developing baby’s cells. This could affect how your baby’s face, organs and brain grow.

Heavy drinking can also damage your baby’s nervous system. This can mean that your baby develops fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD), with problems that can range from mild learning difficulties or social problems, through to birth defects.

Fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) is at the extreme end of the spectrum of disorders. Babies with FAS tend to have facial defects, be born small and carry on being small for their age. They also have learning difficulties, poor muscle tone and coordination, and behavioral problems, for the rest of their lives. Due to the harm that too much alcohol may cause an unborn baby, experts are wary of saying how much it’s safe to drink alcohol during pregnancy.

Dangers of drinking alcohol while pregnant-Effect of alcohol to the unborn baby

The effect on your baby of drinking alcohol in pregnancy depends on:

how much alcohol you have
at what stage in pregnancy you drink alcohol
how often you drink alcohol

Some experts think that some learning difficulties and memory problems in children may be adduced to their mother’s drinking alcohol during their last trimester. This is when your baby is growing more, and his brain is developing.

Binge drinking can be particularly harmful. If you binge drink, you are at more risk of having a baby with FAS than if you drink the same amount over a longer period.

However, drinking on a regular basis may also cause problems in developing babies. Some studies have suggested that regular drinking of nine or more units spread out over a week may lead to attention problems in some children, and cause them to have a low IQ.
Dangers of drinking alcohol while pregnant-Light drinking in pregnancy

Experts are divided about the potential effects of occasional or light drinking. Light drinking is no more than one unit to two units of alcohol, no more than once or twice a week.

Some studies have shown that light drinking isn’t harmful for your baby. But other studies have reported that any alcohol taken during pregnancy may be harmful.

The Department of Health recommends that pregnant women, and women who are trying to conceive, shouldn’t drink alcohol at all. This in my view is fine however many ladies wonder about the effects that may be there if they drunk before knowing that they are already pregnant.
The important thing is to cut out alcohol, or at least be careful about how much you drink, as soon as you find out that you’re expecting.

Many women have a few drinks before realizing they are pregnant. Babies have a habit of turning up when they’re least expected, and many babies conceived around the time of a night out drinking have been fine. However, we don’t know for sure what a few drinks over a short period early in pregnancy can do to a developing baby. That’s why the Department of Health recommends that you give up drinking shortly before getting pregnant.
Dangers of drinking alcohol while pregnant-Alternative drinks

Not drinking alcohol or cutting down on how much you drink, may be easy if nausea or sickness puts you off it in early pregnancy. But if you tend to have alcohol to help you to unwind, giving up may be harder. Try replacing a glass of beer or wine with other stress-easing pleasures, such as a warm bath, soft music, a beauty treatment, exercise or reading. If you miss the ritual of drinking, switch to non-alcoholic beer or wine during your evening meal. Doing all these may not be easy for many people and a lot would still find them struggling to give up alcohol. If you’re finding it hard to cut down on your own, or think you might have a drink problem, your doctor or midwife can help. They are professionals and won’t judge you. It’s their job to help you to have a healthy pregnancy. Asking for help just shows how much you care about your baby and yourself.

Dangers of drinking alcohol while pregnant-Find out from Experts

Tag Archives: Alcohol and pregnancy