Alcohol addiction continues to be an issue on both a national and global scale. In their lifetime, one in every 12 adults – or 17.6 million people – will suffer from an alcohol use disorder or develop dependence on alcohol. [1]

Statistics like these are what make Alcohol Awareness Month so important. With its slogan “Help for Today, Hope for Tomorrow”, this year’s initiative aims to reduce the stigma associated with alcohol addiction by offering information, support and guidance.

Alcohol Awareness Month was founded and sponsored by the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence. To do our bit for Alcohol Awareness Month 2019, we’re here with further information to raise awareness of exactly what impact alcohol can have on your health.

Alcohol and your body

Alcohol and sleep

Many adults use alcohol to help them fall asleep, but while it can make you fall asleep fast, it also contributes to poorer quality sleep overall.[2] Drinking can aggravate breathing problems, block REM sleep and interrupt your circadian rhythm.

Alcohol and sexual function

One 2007 study found that 72% of male participants experienced sexual dysfunction, most notably premature ejaculation and erectile dysfunction. The amount of alcohol consumed was the most significant factor in determining sexual problems.[3]

Alcohol and urine

Most drinkers are familiar with the sensation of ‘breaking the seal’, which occurs because alcohol is a diuretic. This means it acts on your kidneys and makes you pee out more than you take in. In fact, for every 1g of alcohol consumed, urine excretion increases by 10ml.[4] This can cause significant levels of dehydration.

Alcohol and blood pressure

Drinking too much can also impact your cardiovascular health, leading to a range of symptoms including high blood pressure. A 2013 study found that 16% of hypertension problems in the US are linked to excessive alcohol consumption.[5]

Alcohol and migraines

The NHS lists alcohol as one of the significant dietary triggers for migraines.[6] These can be hugely painful and debilitating headaches, often striking regularly throughout one’s life. You can find effective migraine medication at Express Pharmacy.

Alcohol and disease

Alcohol and liver disease

Currently, one in five people in the UK drink alcohol to a level which could harm their liver. This can lead to conditions like a build-up of fat in the liver, hepatitis and even cirrhosis, which affects one in 10 people who drink harmful amounts.[7]

Alcohol and cancer

Along with smoking, alcohol is one of the biggest preventable causes of cancer. Alcohol can cause up to 7 kinds of cancer, including breast cancer, liver cancer and bowel cancer.[8]

Alcohol and diabetes

There are several risk factors associated with Type 2 diabetes, including family history, age, weight and ethnic background. However, alcohol is another significant factor. Not only can it lead to weight gain, but excessive intake is also associated with an increased risk of Type 2 diabetes.[9]

Alcohol and heart disease

There is a very clear link between alcohol and high blood pressure. Over time, excessive alcohol can put further strain on the heart leading to cardiovascular disease, increasing your risk of heart disease and stroke.[10]

Alcohol and your appearance

Alcohol and physical appearance

Alcoholism can have a significant impact on your physical appearance. Factors like personal hygiene and general grooming can suffer, but excessive drinking can also lead to poor complexion, dark under-eye circles, dehydration, tiredness and an overall more haggard appearance.[11]

Alcohol and ‘beer bellies’

Drink large amounts of beer has been linked to both weight gain and an increase in belly fat. In fact, one study found that men who drank more than three drinks a day were 80% more likely to have a lot of belly fat.[12]

Alcohol and weight management

Alcohol and food equivalents

The average wine drinker takes in 2000kcal from alcohol every month, while drinking 5 pints a week for a year adds up to 44,000kcal. The NHS offers an insight into the calorie content and food equivalents of some of the UK’s most popular drinks. For example:

• One standard glass of wine (126kcal) = 1 Cadbury Chocolate Mini Roll
• One pint of 5% strength beer (215kcal) = 1 packet of McCoy’s salted crisps[13]

Alcohol and weight loss

As well as containing significant amounts of calories, alcohol can also prevent weight loss by lowering inhibitions, making a take away or a chocolate bar seem much more appealing. It can also make you less likely to exercise.[14]

You can find safe and effective weight loss medication at Express Pharmacy.

Alcohol and mental health

Alcoholism and dependence

Alcoholism is the most serious form of drinking problem. It describes a strong desire to drink which often can’t be controlled. For alcoholics, drinking takes priority over all obligations including work and family. It usually develops as instances of harmful drinking, or binge drinking, become more and more regular.[15]

Alcohol and anxiety

While alcohol may sedate anxiety in the short term, in the long term it can make it worse. This is true even for moderate amounts of alcohol. The Anxiety and Depression Association of America reports that 20% of people with a social anxiety disorder also suffer from alcohol dependence.[16]

Alcohol and aggression

When we’re drunk, we’re more likely to misinterpret other people’s behaviour and react to things emotionally rather than logically. Alcohol reduces our ability to think straight, hence why aggression and alcohol are so closely linked. Binge drinking increases our chances of both being aggressive and being the subject of someone else’s aggression.[17]

Alcohol withdrawal

Withdrawal symptoms are almost always an aspect of alcohol dependence and are a clear sign that you are drinking too much. They may include physical symptoms like sweating, nausea and tremors, as well as psychological symptoms such as depression, irritability, anxiety and insomnia.[18]

Alcohol and depression

Depression is a common mental health concern, affecting one in five of us in our lifetime.[19] Drinking can make depression more likely. Over time, regular drinking lowers your levels of serotonin, the brain chemical that helps to regulate your mood, making you more susceptible to depression.[20] What’s more, drinking can create a vicious cycle whereby your relationships, work life and social life all suffer, which again can make depression more likely to occur.

Managing alcohol dependence can be a long and difficult road to navigate, but it isn’t one you should suffer alone. Speak to those around you or arrange an appointment with a GP to start making positive changes to your life today – one step at a time.

If you have any queries or concerns about your health, contact Express Pharmacy today. We offer access to effective medication easily and discreetly. Get in touch today using our Live Chat service or by calling 0208 123 07 03.

[1] Facing Addiction. Alcohol Awareness Month — April 2019. 2019

[2] National Sleep Foundation. How Alcohol Affects the Quality — and Quantity — Of Sleep. 2018

[3] Aracknal, B.S., Benegal, V. Prevalence of sexual dysfunction in male subjects with alcohol dependence. 2007

[4] Drink Aware. Why Does Alcohol Make You Pee More? 2018

[5] Loyke, H.F., MD. Five Phases of Blood Pressure in Alcoholics. 2013

[6] NHS. Migraines. 2019

[7] British Liver Trust. Alcohol and Liver Disease. 2019

[8] Cancer Research UK. Does alcohol cause cancer? 2018

[9] Diabetes UK. Alcohol and diabetes. 2018

[10] British Heart Foundation. Effects of alcohol on your heart. 2017

[11] Alcohol Awareness. What are the physical signs of alcoholism? 2016

[12] Schröder, H. et al. Relationship of abdominal obesity with alcohol consumption at population scale. 2007

[13] NHS. Calories in Alcohol. 2016

[14] Drink Aware. How does alcohol affect weight loss? 2017

[15] Drink Aware. What is alcoholism? 2019

[16] Anxiety and Depression Association of America. Social Anxiety Disorder and Alcohol Abuse. 2018

[17] Home Office. Violence in the night-time economy: key findings from the research. 2004

[18] Drink Aware. Alcohol withdrawal symptoms. 2017

[19] Royal College of Psychiatrists. Depression. 2019

[20] Pietraszek, M.H. et al. Alcohol-induced depression involvement in serotonin. 1991

The health of UK adults is constantly shifting – with both positive and negative effects. For example, in 2016/17 there were 617,000 admissions to NHS hospitals in which obesity was a factor, a rise of 18% on 2015/16.[1] This is an important fact to note, as obesity is associated with a range of serious health concerns including several forms of cancer.[2]

However, in other ways our health is becoming more positive overall. For example, the UK has seen a huge reduction in deaths from infectious disease. In 1901, around a third of deaths were due to infectious disease, but now this is around 8%.[3]

Now, newly released results from a nine-year analysis of the UK National Diet and Nutrition Survey has provided a clear holistic picture of our nation’s health, for better and worse. Let’s take a look.

THE GOOD: We’ve seen a large drop in fizzy drink consumption

The findings report that a significant number of children are turning their backs on fizzy drinks, with numbers falling by a third in the last nine years. Around half of children do not drink them, and those that that do are consuming less than children did a decade ago in 2008-2009.[4]

This has helped to contribute to a larger overall reduction in sugar consumption across the country.

Researchers asked people to keep a diary over four days, and those who did not drink any fizzy drinks in that time were categorised as ‘non-consumers’. These accounted for over half of all respondents.

What’s more, these tests were carried out before the tax on sugary drinks was introduced in 2018.

THE BAD: More needs to be done to help increase fruit and vegetable intake

It wasn’t all good news. The report, from the Food Standards Agency and Public Health England, also found that fruit and vegetable consumption has not improved, and remains under the recommended five-a-day. Fibre intake has also fallen, as had vitamin and mineral consumption overall.[5]

The government campaign for five-a-day was launched in 2003, but seems to have had little effect. The campaign was based on advice from the World Health Organisation that eating a minimum of 400 grams of fruit and vegetables a day can lower the risk of serious health concerns like stroke, heart disease and various forms of cancer.[6]

The importance of lifestyle changes

What these results show is that improving your health begins by making the right lifestyle changes, be that increasing your fruit and veg intake or cutting down on high-sugar products.

Other examples of positive lifestyle changes would be engaging in regular exercise, which can help with weight management, mental health and cardiovascular health[7], or quitting smoking. Smoking is the single biggest avoidable risk factor for cancer, and it also plays a role in a whole host of other health concerns such as respiratory disease, diabetes and reproductive issues.[8]

Of course, medical intervention is often required for a wide range of physical and mental health concerns, be it in the form of surgery, counsel or medication. However, changing your lifestyle in positive ways is the ideal starting point for improving your health in the long run.

At Express Pharmacy, you’ll find medication for a range of health concerns, such as weight management, erectile dysfunction and smoking cessation. Our simple 3-step services makes it easy to access treatment quickly and discreetly. Get in touch to find out more. Call 0208 123 07 03 or use our Live Chat service.

[1] NHS Digital. Statistics on Obesity, Physical Activity and Diet. 2018 [Accessed March 2019]

[2] Cancer Research UK. Overweight and obesity statistics. 2018 [Accessed March 2019]

[3] Public Health Matters. 10 facts that sum up our nation’s health in 2017. 2017, Public Health England [Accessed Mach 2019]

[4] Public Health England. UK National Diet and Nutrition Survey. 2018 [Accessed March 2019]

[5] Public Health England. UK National Diet and Nutrition Survey. 2018 [Accessed March 2019]

[6] NHS UK. Why 5 a day? 2018 [Accessed March 2019]

[7] Bupa. Benefits of exercise. 2019 [Accessed March 2019]

[8] Action on Smoking and Health. Fact Sheets. 2018 [Accessed March 2019]

We’re often warned about the physical impact of obesity, but what about the emotional toll it can take?

Obesity continues to be a huge issue for UK healthcare. In fact, 62% of adults in the UK are overweight or obese.[1] This is a serious concern, as obesity be a factor in many serious health concerns like type 2 diabetes, heart disease and even cancer.

However, the consequences of living with obesity can also be emotional as well as physical. We’re here to explore the ways obesity and mental wellbeing can interact.

Is obesity a mental health issue?

It’s important to establish that there is no direct causal link between mental health and obesity. The reason this is important to state is that there is often a stigma attached to overweight people that they are ‘slower’ or less intelligent than thinner people. This caricature holds no basis in truth.

Instead, we’re going to explore how mental health and obesity can impact each other in ways shown by research and statistics. Can mental health conditions make obesity more likely, and can being obese increase your chances of experiencing mental health concerns?

Eating disorders

Mental health can impact our weight at both ends of the spectrum, as evidenced by conditions like anorexia. Over the last four decades, the number of eating disorders has escalated hugely both in the UK and worldwide. In fact, it is estimated that there are over 1.6 million people struggling with an eating disorder in the UK.[2]

On the surface, eating disorders like anorexia and bulimia represent the opposite problem to obesity; causing sufferers to become extremely underweight rather than overweight. However, they do highlight a key connection between dietary habits and mental health.

This connection also presents itself in habits like binge eating, which is often a key cause of obesity. Binge eating compels people to consume huge quantities of food in a short period of time. Unlike other conditions like bulimia, sufferers rarely purge themselves afterwards. However, feelings of shame, guilt and even depression are common.

Obesity as a symptom: a vicious cycle

Although we cannot assume that just because someone is obese that they must be living with mental health concerns, obesity can be a symptom of psychological factors. For example, stress is one of the most common mental health concerns in the UK. According to the Mental Health Foundation’s 2018 report, 74% of people reported feeling so stressed in the last year that they were unable to cope. What’s more, 46% reported that they ate too much or ate unhealthily due to stress.[3]

Conditions like anxiety, stress and depression can lead to the use of food as a comfort or coping mechanism. They can also have a detrimental effect on motivation when it comes to activities like exercise and cooking healthy meals. As such, your likelihood of becoming obese rises with the appearance of these conditions. This can then create a vicious cycle, as being obese can reduce your motivation even further and make you feel more anxious or depressed.

If you’re struggling to lose weight, start the new year off right with safe and effective weight loss medication from Express Pharmacy. Both Xenical and Mysimba can help support you on your weight loss journey and meet your goals in a healthy way. And for further support, contact our team today. Call us on 0208 123 07 03 or use our online Live Chat service.

[1] Cancer Research. Overweight and Obesity Statistics [Accessed December 2018]

[2] Priory Group. Eating Disorders [Accessed December 2018]

[3] Mental Health Foundation. 2018 Study [Accessed December 2018]

26% of all adults are obese, but losing weight doesn’t have to be a losing battle

Discussions around weight are often contentious, as the media pushes a narrative that being anything other than slim is a bad thing. This is not true, and being larger is not an inherently negative trait. However, being significantly overweight or obese is a significant health issue. Obesity has been proven to trigger a variety of serious long-term health problems – and particularly weight gain that is accounted for by visceral fat around the body’s internal organs.

Your weight is your domain, and it is up to you to find the weight at which you feel most comfortable and healthy. If you want to lose weight in order to lead a happier and healthier life, we’re here to help. Here is everything you need to know about obesity, including how to tackle it effectively.

What causes obesity?

Obesity is not something that can be determined based on appearance alone. The condition is defined by the impact that excess body fat has on an individual’s overall health. In the UK, rates of obesity have risen by almost 400% in the last 25 years.

Obesity is most often the result of gradual weight gain. There are several factors thought to contribute to rising rates of obesity, including the growing accessibly to fast foods and our increasingly sedentary lifestyles. We also tend to eat diets with high sugar levels, high levels of saturated fats and a lack of fresh fruits and vegetables. Binge eating is another key cause of the condition.

Although obesity can run in families, there is no evidence of a hereditary link. Instead, this is most likely due to parents passing down similar lifestyles and food choices to younger generations.

What effect does obesity have?

Obesity can affect you both physically and emotionally. Psychologically, the condition can significantly impact your self-esteem and confidence levels, while also increasing your risk of mental health concerns like depression. Lack of exercise and poor diet are common traits in both depression and obesity.

Physically, obesity can have a significant impact on the body over time, putting pressure on the organs, disrupting hormones and inhibiting the systems of the body. Some of the conditions which become more likely in the face of obesity include type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, stroke, coronary heart disease, pregnancy problems and even certain kinds of cancer. Obesity can also result in increased aches and pains, breathlessness, difficulty sleeping, chest pain, fatigue and excess sweating.

The benefits of weight loss

When you are obese, losing weight can have a hugely positive effect on your health, wellbeing and daily life in general. Losing weight forces you to make lifestyle changes that can benefit your outlook over time; for example, you may find that you enjoy certain kinds of exercise, or take pleasure in creating healthy, home-cooked meals.

Losing weight eases your breathing, improves your sleep quality, decreases your blood pressure, improves your immune system and can increase your confidence and body image. It also lowers your risk of serious conditions like heart disease, diabetes, stroke and cancer.

How do you lose weight safely?

We’re all aware of some of the fad diets circulating the world of weight loss. Many of these make outlandish promises about helping you lose large amounts of weight incredibly quickly. Unfortunately, there is little evidence to suggest that these kinds of diets are effective, and in many cases they can actually put your health in danger.

Losing weight can be a long process, but it is all about making healthy lifestyle changes. Beginning and building on a programme of healthy eating and regular fitness can help you battle your obesity effectively. There is also medication available which can help you do this safely. Prescription weight loss medications like Xenical and Mysimba are proven to aid weight loss in an effective and healthy way. Taken correctly and supported by improvements to lifestyle they can help you to achieve continued, progressive weight loss.

Start the new year off right by establishing your weight loss resolutions now. Find safe and effective weight loss treatment right here at Express Pharmacy. Call us on 0208 123 07 03 or use our discreet live chat service.

A new report from the World Health Organisation (WHO) has revealed that more than a quarter of people globally are not getting enough physical exercise. This equates to around 1.4 billion people, a figure which has barely improved since 2001. What’s more, high income countries like the UK were among the least active.

The study, published in The Lancet Global Health, saw researchers look at data from 358 population-based surveys in 168 countries. They showed that in countries like the UK and the USA the number of inactive people has actually increased from 32% in 2001 to 37% in 2016. By contrast, low income countries’ results stayed stable at 16%.

Those classed as inactive engaged in less than 150 minutes of moderate exercise – or 75 minutes of intense exercise – per week.

Experts state that the reason wealthier countries are more prone to inactivity could be due to more sedentary jobs and hobbies, as well as car-centred travel. In lower income countries, people are more likely to have physical jobs and rely on walking for travel.

Women were also found to be less active than men in all of the world’s regions apart from East and South-East Asia. Researchers said this is likely to be due to a combination of factors, including extra childcare duties and cultural attitudes to women exercising. Co-author of the study, Dr Fiona Bull, commented on this aspect of the study’s results, saying:

“Addressing these inequalities in physical activity levels between men and women will be critical to achieving global activity targets and will require interventions to promote and improve women’s access to opportunities that are safe, affordable and culturally acceptable.”

Previously, WHO had been aiming for a global goal of reducing inactivity by 10% by 2025. In light of these figures however, they now say that this target will not be met.

Lead author of the study, Dr Regina Guthold, discussed the consequences of the findings in more detail, saying:

“Unlike other major global health risks, levels of insufficient physical activity are not falling worldwide, on average, and over a quarter of all adults are not reaching the recommended levels of physical activity for good health.”

Guthold continued: “Regions with increasing levels of insufficient physical activity are a major concern for public health and the prevention and control of non-communicable diseases.”

How much exercise should you be getting?

The recommended amount of exercising you should be getting changes depending on what age group you fall into. Below you’ll find some recommendations based on data from Public Health England.

For children aged 5-18: 60 minutes of physical activity.

For adults aged 19-64: 150 minutes of moderate aerobic activity per week, or 75 minutes of vigorous exercise per week.

For adults aged 65 and over: 150 minutes of moderate aerobic exercise per week, as well as strength exercises two days a week.

Activities that can count as moderate aerobic activity include fast walking, bike riding, hiking, water aerobics and sports such as basketball, volleyball and tennis. Vigorous activity may consist of running, swimming, gymnastics, martial arts or sports like football and rugby. Muscle strengthening exercises include weightlifting, push ups, sit ups, yoga and activities such as gardening.

Making time for physical activity is absolutely vital to our overall health. Inactivity increases your risk of a large number of health problems, including heart disease, type 2 diabetes and even some cancers. These risks are increased further if you are overweight.

If weight loss could improve your health and fitness, you’ll find safe and effective weight loss medication right here at Express Pharmacy. Don’t hesitate to get in touch if you have any queries. Just call 0208 123 07 03 or use our discreet Live Chat service.