Hugh's Story
More than 5 years ago now, my client of 10 years, Hugh, was diagnosed with Stage 4 bowel cancer meaning it was very advanced and had spread to other parts of his body. At only 51 years old, the shock was just as enormous for me as it was for Hugh. Of all my Pilates clients at the time I would have thought he was the healthiest and the least likely to receive such a diagnosis. A vegetarian from birth, who said red meat had never passed his lips, he had followed an impeccable diet including plenty of fresh fruit, vegetables and fish. He kept his weight at an ideal level and included 2 studio Pilates sessions per week, cycling, swimming and weight training in his carefully planned fitness regime. Understandably, he was devastated to receive such a diagnosis as he also had regular health checks to ensure he was around for many years to see his 3 young children grow into adulthood. Somehow this slipped through the net and he vowed to fight for as long he could which he did bravely for 2 years before sadly, succumbing to the disease. Hugh was very keen to discuss with me what may have caused him to develop cancer and after many hours of analysing his lifestyle, he had a theory. For the past 15 years since he became very successful professionally, he had started a habit of celebrating by drinking a bottle of wine with dinner every night. It was a luxury he could now afford and it helped him unwind from his busy day. This was a surprise to me as Hugh was so intent on maintaining his health and fitness. I didn't think he would drink such large amounts of alcohol but apparently, that was his weakness. He had no idea, however, that alcohol was a contributing factor to bowel cancer and he stopped drinking immediatlely once he found out. Sadly, it was too late for him. It was his lack of education about the dangers of a daily habit that would so cruelly cost him his life in his early 50s, leaving his children to grow up without their father.
Alcohol Causes 8 Types of Cancer
Hugh's research suggesting that alcohol had caused his bowel cancer was extremely likely. According to the Cancer Council website "we now know that alcohol causes more than 3500 cancer cases each year. Alcohol is proven to increase your risk of 8 different types of cancer including, mouth, pharynx, larynx, oesophagus, stomach, bowel, liver and breast." In short, the more you drink the greater your risk of developing cancer. The Cancer Council website provides guidelines about the daily and weekly recommended amounts of alcohol to be consumed that can reduce your health risks and you can view these guidelines here. It does. however, emphasise that any consumption of alcohol is a health risk. Many people comment that cancer seems to be on the increase and can't understand why this would be so. Awareness is the key to getting the word out there that alcohol can cause certain types of cancer. I've discussed this with several clients over the years and not one that I have spoken to had any idea that there was a link between alcohol and cancer. Some even joked that I was making it up to scare them! Despite the glamorous side of drinking alcohol that is portrayed in the media the evidence is there that alcohol will increase the risk of developing cancer and then it becomes each individual's decision to choose the level of risk they are prepared to take.
Doctors Regularly Advise Patients to Avoid Alcohol
When I had severe glandular fever or mononucleosis many years ago now, my liver and spleen were very badly affected. My doctor advised me to avoid drinking alcohol for as long as possible in order to allow my liver to repair and regenerate. Drinking alcohol would put a lot of strain on my already compromised liver, potentially leading to permanent liver damage. Even though, I only drank on special occasions, the thought of permanent liver damage was terrifying enough to ensure I stopped drinking alcohol completely. Several specialist doctors have ordered my clients to quit alcohol as it was making their condition worse and reducing their chances of successfully managing it. Peripheral Neuropathy, Multiple Sclerosis, Osteoporosis and Cognitive Decline are just a few examples of conditions that are worsened by drinking alcohol and you should check with your medical practitioner if eliminating alcohol would be beneficial for your individual condition.
Does Alcohol Relieve Pain?
When I was very young I remember my great aunt keeping a bottle of brandy in her pantry for medicinal purposes only. Like many of her generation, she swore by alcohol for pain relief and only used brandy when a family member was injured or in pain. She wasn't a drinker and this bottle of brandy was the only alcohol she kept in the house. Once when I was feeling very unwell she reached for the brandy and poured some onto a teaspoon and gave it to me like medicine. I'm not sure if it relieved my pain but I definitely remember feeling extremely light-headed for quite a while afterward!! Many people who are dealing with chronic pain such as back, neck or hip pain for example "self-medicate" with alcohol. So is alcohol an effective pain-reliever? Alcohol doesn't have specific pain relieving properties but slows the activity of the brain and nervous system which makes the pain to be perceived as not as bad and the result will vary from person to person . For some people alcohol is a muscle relaxant but for others it can cause muscle spasms and ultimately make their pain worse. There are a number of important factors to consider when using alcohol for pain relief. Alcohol can interact with a variety of medications such as opioids for example which can be fatal so it's vital to be aware of any interactions before you start drinking. Just one glass of wine can flare up symptoms of back pain as alcohol causes dehydration, leaving your muscles weak. As you can see alcohol is not the ideal solution for pain relief and and can make your health condition worse.
The Younger Generation are Drinking Less
Since 2000 in Australia studies have shown there has been a decline in the number of teenagers who are drinking alcohol as well as in the amount they are drinking. A simialr pattern has emerged in various countries around the world. There are a number of reasons why this may be occurring. There was a peak of very high alcohol consumption just before 2000 and this could be a trend away from the negative results this high alcohol consumption produced. One reason may be the popularity of social media which has changed the way young people intereact and socialise. When they socialise with each other online it doesn't include drinking as opposed to, for example, gathering at a live event which does. It's a trend that means less violence and brawls, fewer accidents and hospitalisations and ultimately less chronic disease such as liver disease and cancer. Even if this generation were to increase their alcohol consumption in their later years. it is anticipated their early years with minimal alcohol intake would still help to reduce disease. It's a trend that may or may not continue but who knows? Maybe in the future alcohol may have as bad a reputation as smoking and become far less socially acceptable as more and more people become aware just how detrimental it can be for their health.
Some studies have shown that alcohol can be benficial to certain health conditions. There was a lot of publicity several years ago now when a study showed that red wine was enormously beneficial for our health which was music to many peoples' ears. The resveratrol in red wine is a powerful antioxident that can be beneficial to the heart but it can also be taken in supllement form so it's possible to experience the benefits without the negative effects of alcohol. It's so important that you have all the information you need when you decide to include or eliminate alcohol from your diet. Personally, I formed the habit of avoiding alcohol to help my liver repair all those years ago and just continued along that path ever since. My unique online Pilates program is a healthier, organic way of using movement to become pain-free so you don't need to rely on alcohol for pain-relief. Pilates helps you to stay strong, flexible and move with ease well into your retirement years. If you are ready to take control of your own health and fitness through Pilates
click HERE to read about what options I have to offer you. Alternatively, email me at info@jsmindbodypilates - I'd love to help you start your Pilates journey so you can enjoy your retirement years!
