Alcohol Consumption

URL of this page: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/alcoholconsumption.html

Also called: Also called: Drinking

If you are like many Americans, you drink alcohol at least occasionally. For many people, moderate drinking is probably safe. It may even have health benefits, including reducing your risk of certain heart problems. Moderate drinking is one drink a day for women or anyone over 65, and two drinks a day for men under 65.

Some people should not drink at all, including alcoholics, children, pregnant women, people on certain medicines and people with some medical conditions. If you have questions about whether it is safe for you to drink, speak with your healthcare provider.

Anything more than moderate drinking can be risky. Binge drinking - drinking five or more drinks at one time - can damage your health and increase your risk for accidents, injuries and assault. Years of heavy drinking can lead to liver disease, heart disease, cancer and pancreatitis. It can also cause problems at home, at work and with friends.

National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism
Start Here

    * Alcohol-Online Tests(Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration) - http://www.atgetfit.net/alcohol/tests/default.aspx
    * Questions and Answers on Alcohol Consumption(Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) - http://www.cdc.gov/alcohol/faqs.htm
    * What's a Standard Drink?From the National Institutes of Health(National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism) - http://www.niaaa.nih.gov/NR/rdonlyres/1D2BE3DF-18D7-47EE-98C5-E907C7611929/0/StandardDrink.pdf
      Also available in Spanish http://www.niaaa.nih.gov/NR/rdonlyres/0288989D-6328-43D0-8F79-46D87DC25655/0/StandardDrinkSP.pdf

Overviews

    * Alcohol(Harvard School of Public Health) - http://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/what-should-you-eat/alcohol/index.html
    * Alcohol and Your Health: Weighing the Pros and Cons(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) - http://www.mayoclinic.com/print/alcohol/SC00024/METHOD=print

Latest News

    * Underaged, Inebriated Easily Get Drinks at Stadiums(08/21/2008, HealthDay) - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/news/fullstory_68369.html
    * Drinking Problems Greater among Returning Combat Veterans(08/12/2008, HealthDay) - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/news/fullstory_68076.html
    * Americans Drinking Less Alcohol(08/06/2008, HealthDay) - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/news/fullstory_67860.html
    * Micro RNA Implicated as Molecular Factor in Alcohol ToleranceFrom the National Institutes of Health(07/30/2008, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism) - http://www.nih.gov/news/health/jul2008/niaaa-30.htm
    * More News on Alcohol Consumption http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/alphanews_a.html#alcoholconsumption

Prevention/Screening

    * Alcohol Alert: Brief InterventionsFrom the National Institutes of Health(National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism) - http://pubs.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/AA66/AA66.htm
    * College Drinking - Changing the CultureFrom the National Institutes of Health(National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism) - http://www.collegedrinkingprevention.gov/
    * Discussing Drinking: A Back-to-School Conversation You Need to HaveFrom the National Institutes of Health(National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism) - http://newsinhealth.nih.gov/2006/September/docs/01features_01.htm
    * Fall Semester - A Time for Parents to Revisit Discussions about College DrinkingFrom the National Institutes of Health(National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism) - http://www.collegedrinkingprevention.gov/NIAAACollegeMaterials/collegeFactSheetForParents.aspx
    * How to Cut Down on Your DrinkingEasy-to-ReadFrom the National Institutes of Health(National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism) - http://pubs.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/handout.htm
      Also available in Spanish http://pubs.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/spancut.htm
    * Parents - Spring Break Is Another Important Time to Discuss College DrinkingFrom the National Institutes of Health(National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism) - http://pubs.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/NIAAASpringBreakFactSheet2007.pdf

Related Issues

    * Alcohol Alert: Alcohol and TobaccoFrom the National Institutes of Health(National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism) - http://pubs.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/AA71/AA71.htm
    * Alcohol Alert: Alcohol's Damaging Effects on the BrainFrom the National Institutes of Health(National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism) - http://pubs.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/aa63/aa63.htm
    * Alcohol Allergy: Is There Such a Thing?(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) - http://www.mayoclinic.com/print/alcohol-allergy/AN00818/METHOD=print
    * Alcohol and Cancer(American Cancer Society) - Links to PDF - http://www.cancer.org/downloads/PRO/alcohol.pdf
    * Alcohol Poisoning(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) - http://www.mayoclinic.com/print/alcohol-poisoning/DS00861/DSECTION=all&METHOD=print
    * Alcohol: Dietary Guidelines for Americans(National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence) - http://www.ncadd.org/facts/health.html
    * Alcohol: Does It Affect Blood Pressure?(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) - http://www.mayoclinic.com/print/blood-pressure/AN00318/METHOD=print
    * Drugged DrivingFrom the National Institutes of Health(National Institute on Drug Abuse) - http://www.nida.nih.gov/Infofacts/driving.html
      Also available in Spanish http://www.nida.nih.gov/Infofacts/driving-Sp.html
    * Hangovers(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) - http://www.mayoclinic.com/print/hangovers/DS00649/DSECTION=all&METHOD=print
    * Harmful Interactions: Mixing Alcohol with MedicinesEasy-to-ReadFrom the National Institutes of Health(National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism) - http://pubs.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/Medicine/medicine.htm
      Also available in Spanish http://pubs.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/MedSpanish/medicine.htm
    * New Year, Old Myths, New FatalitiesFrom the National Institutes of Health(National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism) - Links to PDF - http://pubs.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/NewYearsFactSheet2006.pdf
    * Party Planning Tips for an Alcohol-Safe and Drug-Free Holiday Season to Remember(Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration) - Links to PDF - http://download.ncadi.samhsa.gov/prevline/pdfs/partytips.pdf
    * NewTips for Cutting Down on DrinkingFrom the National Institutes of Health(National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism) - http://pubs.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/Tips/tips.htm

Health Check Tools

    * Alcohol Calorie CalculatorFrom the National Institutes of Health(National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism) - http://www.collegedrinkingprevention.gov/CollegeStudents/calculator/alcoholcalc.aspx
    * Alcohol Use Self-Assessment: Rate Your Drinking Habits(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) - http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/alcohol-use/MH00123
    * Alcohol-Online Tests(Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration) - http://www.atgetfit.net/alcohol/tests/default.aspx

Journal Articles
References and abstracts from MEDLINE/PubMed (National Library of Medicine)

    * Article: Alcohol and nonlethal injuries: a Swiss emergency department study on... - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=AbstractPlus&list_uids=18580530&tool=MedlinePlus
    * Article: Alcohol and tobacco use, and cancer risk for upper aerodigestive... - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=AbstractPlus&list_uids=18562959&tool=MedlinePlus
    * Article: Considerations in triage for the intoxicated patient. - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=AbstractPlus&list_uids=18558272&tool=MedlinePlus
    * Alcohol Consumption -- see more articles - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?cmd=search&db=pubmed&term=((alcohol+drinking/ae[majr]+OR+alcoholic+intoxication[majr])+NOT+ethanol[mh])+AND+humans[mh]+AND+english[la]+AND+(review[pt]+OR+guideline[pt]+OR+clinical+trial[pt]+OR+jsubsetk[text]+OR+jsubsetaim[text]+OR+jsubsetn[text]+OR+patient+education+handout[pt])+NOT+(letter[pt]+OR+editorial[pt]+case+reports[pt])&doptcmdl=summary&cmd_current=Limits&pmfilter_EDatLimit=last+1+Year&tool=MedlinePlus
    * Benefits of alcohol drinking -- see more articles - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?cmd=search&db=pubmed&term=(alcohol+drinking[majr]+OR+alcoholic+beverages[majr]+OR+ethanol[majr]+AND+therapeutic+use[sh])+NOT+adverse+effects[sh]+AND+(cardiovascular+diseases/pc[mh]+OR+stress/pc[mh]+OR+cholesterol[mh]+OR+mortality[mh])+AND+english[la]+AND+humans[mh]+AND+(review[pt]+OR+guideline[pt]+OR+clinical+trial[pt]+OR+jsubsetk[text]+OR+jsubsetaim[text]+OR+jsubsetn[text]+OR+patient+education+handout[pt])+NOT+(letter[pt]+OR+editorial[pt])&doptcmdl=summary&cmd_current=Limits&pmfilter_EDatLimit=last+3+Years&tool=MedlinePlus
    * Binge drinking -- see more articles - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?cmd=search&db=pubmed&term=(alcohol+drinking[mh]+OR+alcoholic+intoxication[mh])+AND+ethanol/poisoning[mh]+OR+(binge[ti]+AND+drinking[ti])+AND+humans[mh]+AND+english[la]+NOT+(letter[pt]+OR+editorial[pt])&doptcmdl=summary&cmd_current=Limits&pmfilter_EDatLimit=last+1+Year&tool=MedlinePlus
    * Drinking and driving -- see more articles - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?cmd=search&db=pubmed&term=(alcohol+drinking[mh]+OR+alcoholic+intoxication[mh])+AND+(automobile+driving[majr]+OR+accidents,traffic[majr])+AND+humans[mh]+AND+english[la]+NOT+(letter[pt]+OR+editorial[pt])&doptcmdl=summary&cmd_current=Limits&pmfilter_EDatLimit=last+1+Year&tool=MedlinePlus

Directories

    * Getting HelpFrom the National Institutes of Health(National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism) - http://www.collegedrinkingprevention.gov/links/help.aspx

Organizations

    * Al-Anon/Alateen(Alateen, Al-Anon) - http://www.al-anon.alateen.org/
    * Alcoholics Anonymous - http://www.alcoholics-anonymous.org/
      Also available in Spanish http://www.aa.org/sp_index.cfm?Media=PlayFlash
    * National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism - http://www.niaaa.nih.gov/

Statistics

    * Alcohol-Related Traffic DeathsFrom the National Institutes of HealthFrom the National Institutes of Health(National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism) - http://www.niehs.nih.gov/research/supported/sep/2008/loweriq.cfm
    * College Students and Alcohol Abuse Statistics(American Psychiatric Association) - http://healthyminds.org/collegestats_new.cfm
    * FASTATS: Alcohol Use(National Center for Health Statistics) - http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/alcohol.htm
    * General Information on Alcohol Use and Health(Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) - http://www.cdc.gov/alcohol/quickstats/general_info.htm
    * Polydrug Admissions: 2002(Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration) - http://www.oas.samhsa.gov/2k5/polydrugTX/polydrugTX.htm
    * Quantity and Frequency of Alcohol Use among Underage Drinkers(Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration) - http://oas.samhsa.gov/2k8/underage/underage.htm
    * Quick Facts: Alcohol Topics(National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism) - http://www.niaaa.nih.gov/Resources/DatabaseResources/QuickFacts/
    * Snapshot of Annual High-Risk College Drinking ConsequencesFrom the National Institutes of Health(National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism) - http://www.collegedrinkingprevention.gov/StatsSummaries/snapshot.aspx
    * State Estimates of Persons 18 or Older Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol or Illicit Drugs(Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration) - http://oas.samhsa.gov/2k8/stateDUI/stateDUI.htm

Women

    * Alcohol: A Women's Health IssueFrom the National Institutes of Health(National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism) - http://pubs.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/brochurewomen/women.htm
      Also available in Spanish http://pubs.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/WomenSpanish/Women_Spanish.pdf

Seniors

    * As You Age...A Guide to Aging, Medicines, and Alcohol(Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration) - Links to PDF - http://asyouage.samhsa.gov/media/asyouage/asyouagebrochure01.pdf
      Also available in Spanish http://kap.samhsa.gov/mli/docs/spanish/AgingMed-Spanish.pdf
    * Substance Use among Older Adults: 2002 and 2003 Update(Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration) - http://www.oas.samhsa.gov/2k5/olderadults/olderadults.htm

You may also be interested in these MedlinePlus related pages:

    * Alcohol and Youth - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/alcoholandyouth.html
    * Alcoholism - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/alcoholism.html
    * Food and Nutrition - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/foodandnutrition.html
    * Substance Abuse Problems - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/substanceabuseproblems.html

The primary NIH organization for research on Alcohol Consumption is the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism - http://www.niaaa.nih.gov/

Alcohol Consumption - Multiple Languages - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/languages/alcoholconsumption.html

Date last updated: August 22 2008
Topic last reviewed: May 10 2008

Consumo de bebidas alcohólicas

Dirección de esta página: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/spanish/alcoholconsumption.html

Otros nombres: Otros nombres: Beber alcohol, Tomar vino

Si usted es como muchos estadounidenses, quizás consume bebidas alcohólicas por lo menos ocasionalmente. Para muchas personas, beber moderadamente probablemente sea sano. Quizá hasta puede tener beneficios para la salud, entre los que se incluye disminuir el riesgo de padecer algunos problemas cardiacos. Beber moderadamente, para las mujeres o las personas de más de 65 años, es una bebida por día y para los hombres dos bebidas diarias.

Algunas personas no deberían beber en absoluto, entre ellos, los alcohólicos, los niños, las embarazadas, las personas que reciben determinadas medicinas y las que tienen ciertos cuadros clínicos. Si tiene alguna duda o pregunta acerca de si puede serle sano beber, consulte a un profesional de la salud.

Cualquier cosa más que beber moderadamente puede ser riesgoso. Antes de beber - beber cinco o más bebidas en una misma ocasión - puede perjudicar su salud y aumentar el riesgo de accidentes, lesiones y agresiones. Muchos años de beber en exceso puede causar enfermedades hepáticas, cardiacas, cáncer y pancreatitis. También puede causar problemas en el hogar, en el trabajo y en el círculo de amistades.

Instituto Nacional sobre el Alcoholismo y Abuso de Alcohol
Comience aquí

    * ¿Qué es una bebida estándar?Desde los Institutos Nacionales de la Salud - Archivo PDF - http://www.niaaa.nih.gov/NR/rdonlyres/0288989D-6328-43D0-8F79-46D87DC25655/0/StandardDrinkSP.pdf
      También está disponible en http://www.niaaa.nih.gov/NR/rdonlyres/1D2BE3DF-18D7-47EE-98C5-E907C7611929/0/StandardDrink.pdf

Resúmenes

    * Enciclopedia médica: Consumo de alcohol - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/spanish/ency/article/001944.htm

Últimas noticias

    * Las fumadoras ocasionales están en mayor riesgo de trastornos de uso del alcohol(25/09/2008, HealthDay) - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/spanish/news/fullstory_69741.html
    * Beber moderadamente reduce el riesgo de insuficiencia cardíaca(23/09/2008, Reuters Health) - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/spanish/news/fullstory_69611.html
    * Mensajes de texto son más riesgosos que alcohol para conductores(18/09/2008, Reuters Health) - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/spanish/news/fullstory_69445.html
    * Más noticias sobre Consumo de bebidas alcohólicas http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/spanish/alphanews_c.html#alcoholconsumption

Prevención/Exámenes

    * Cómo disminuir su hábito de ingerir alcoholFácil de leerDesde los Institutos Nacionales de la Salud(Instituto Nacional sobre el Alcoholismo y Abuso de Alcohol) - http://pubs.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/spancut.htm
      También está disponible en http://pubs.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/handout.htm

Asuntos relacionados

    * Consumo de alcohol y las enfermedades cardiovasculares(Asociación Americana del Corazón) - http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=3042012
      También está disponible en http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=4422
    * Enciclopedia médica: Alcohol y dieta - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/spanish/ency/article/002446.htm
    * Enciclopedia médica: Vino y la salud cardíaca - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/spanish/ency/article/001963.htm
    * Estado de ineptitud para conducir(Centros para el Control y la Prevención de Enfermedades) - http://www.cdc.gov/ncipc/factsheets/drving-sp.htm
      También está disponible en http://www.cdc.gov/ncipc/factsheets/drving.htm
    * Reacciones peligrosas: La mezcla de bebidas alcohólicas con medicamentosDesde los Institutos Nacionales de la Salud(Instituto Nacional sobre el Alcoholismo y Abuso de Alcohol) - Archivo PDF - http://pubs.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/MedSpanish/medicine.htm
      También está disponible en http://pubs.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/Medicine/medicine.htm

Mujeres

    * Alcohol: Un tema de salud de la mujerDesde los Institutos Nacionales de la Salud(Instituto Nacional sobre el Alcoholismo y Abuso de Alcohol) - Archivo PDF extenso - http://pubs.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/WomenSpanish/Women_Spanish.pdf
      También está disponible en http://pubs.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/brochurewomen/women.htm

Personas mayores

    * Envejecimiento, los medicamentos y el alcohol(Administración de Servicios de la Salud Mental y Abuso de Sustancias) - Archivo PDF - http://kap.samhsa.gov/mli/docs/spanish/AgingMed-Spanish.pdf
      También está disponible en http://asyouage.samhsa.gov/media/asyouage/asyouagebrochure01.pdf

Otras páginas de interés en MedlinePlus:

    * Alcoholismo - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/spanish/alcoholism.html
    * Jóvenes y las bebidas alcohólicas - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/spanish/alcoholandyouth.html
    * Abuso de substancias adictivas - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/spanish/substanceabuseproblems.html
    * Alimentos y nutrición - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/spanish/foodandnutrition.html

La organización del NIH que mayormente conduce investigaciones científicas sobre Consumo de bebidas alcohólicas es el Instituto Nacional sobre el Alcoholismo y Abuso de Alcohol - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/spanish/nihinstitutes.html#NIAAA

Página actualizada: 03 octubre 2008
Tema revisado: 26 junio 2008