In this Article

• Physical activity and exercise
• Avoid tobacco use
• Avoid excessive alcohol consumption
• Avoid high-risk sexual behaviors
• Avoid other high-risk behaviors
• Healthy Living Glossary
• Healthy Living Index

Avoid excessive alcohol consumption

Adverse consequences of excessive alcohol consumption:

• Chronic, excess alcohol consumption is the major cause of liver cirrhosis in the US.
• Liver cirrhosis can cause internal hemorrhage, fluid accumulation in the abdomen, easy bleeding and bruising, muscle wasting, mental confusion, infections, and in advanced cases, coma and kidney failure.
• Liver cirrhosis can lead to liver cancer.
• Alcohol accounts for 40-50% of deaths from automobile accidents in the US.
• Alcohol is a significant cause of injury and death from home accidents, drowning, and burns.

Comments and recommendations:

There are many treatments for alcoholism. But the crucial first step to recovery is for the individual to admit there is a problem and make a commitment to address the alcoholism issue. The 12-step-style self help programs, pioneered by Alcoholics Anonymous, can be one effective treatment. Psychologists and related professionals have developed programs to help individuals better handle emotional stresses and avoid behaviors that can lead to excess drinking. Support and understanding from family members are often critical for sustained recovery. Medication can be useful for the prevention of relapses and for withdrawal symptoms following acute or prolonged intoxication.

Avoid high-risk sexual behaviors

• Multiple sex partners
• Sex partners with a history of
  • Intravenous drug use
  • Venereal disease (sexually transmitted diseases )

Adverse consequences of high-risk sexual behavior:

• Transmission of HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases (chlamydia, gonorrhea , syphilis, genital herpes)
• Transmission of hepatitis B (50% of hepatitis B infections are due to sexual transmission), and in rare instances hepatitis C.
• Transmission of human papilloma virus (HPV), which can cause genital warts and anogenital carcinomas, most commonly cancer of the uterine cervix.
• Unplanned pregnancy

Recommendations:

• Avoid unprotected sex (sex without barriers such as a condom) outside an established, committed, monogamous relationship.

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