PrimeCare of Novi
Newsletter

Volume 1, Issue 3              April 2011

Happy April to Everyone  April is Alcohol Awareness Month

You are not alone
By Maria McCuean, Reception

People who suffer from alcoholism often develop other health problems such as liver disease, heart disease and high blood pressure.  Medical treatment of these secondary conditions may be necessary and can often become worse if alcohol is not discontinued.

Sometimes, medications may be needed to control high blood pressure before there are negative effects on the cardiovascular system. Medical intervention to control complications from heart or liver disease may also be necessary in advanced cases. 

Most people do not want to cause harm to their bodies, however, often times there is usually a story or reasons behind the drinking in ourselves or in those we know. If we want to help ourselves or help someone else who is having a problem with drinking, the story needs to come out.

Every doctor and every therapist and every member of the clergy has heard someone say “I’ve never told this to anyone.” Yet you don't have to be a doctor or therapist or a member of the clergy to ask a friend “what has your life been like?” or “What was it like for you growing up?” or “What is it like at work?” or “What's going on at home?” A person who may be drinking out of control may not be ready to answer any of those questions at first, but even if they’re not, the question may help them move forward.

We are all familiar with the idea that friends don’t let friend’s drive drunk.  I'd like to add that they don’t have to let a friend wallow in his or her drinking, either. Make a move. Care enough to ask the questions.  

PrimeCare of Novi

Contact information:

39555 W. Ten Mile Road,
Suite 302, Novi

Phone:
(248) 426-7200

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Fax:
(248) 426-7335

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Health and Diet    

By Lisa Maroun, Registered Dietitian

Alcohol consumption, particularly in heavy drinkers, can affect what you eat and affect the way your body uses whatever nutrients you consume, according to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, or NIAAA. Alcoholics are often deficient in protein and vitamins. Alcoholic beverages consist mostly of water and sugar. Because they don't contribute much nutrition other than calories, alcoholic beverages are considered empty calories.

Recommended Foods
• Frequent meals and snacks. Try to eat every 5 hours or sooner, even if you don't feel
hungry. This can ease depression and make it easier to deal with problems.
• Healthful snacks. Try nuts, cheese, yogurt, sunflower seeds, whole grain crackers, fruit,
and vegetables. Use your favorite salad dressing as a quick dip for raw vegetables. It’s
better to crunch food than to snap at your loved ones.
• Healthy foods that travel well. Take snacks like peanut butter sandwiches, nuts, and
sunflower seeds. On car trips, try protein bars; low-sugar types are best.
• Lots of fluids. Try to drink about 8 glasses of fluid every day. Drink more in the hot
summer months.
• Breakfast. Choose foods with protein, like eggs, meat, yogurt, cottage cheese, or peanut
butter, or have a bowl of unsweetened cereal with milk and fruit.
• Easy-to-prepare foods. Keep it simple. Plan simple meals and snacks ahead of time and
remember to shop for your food. Try healthful microwave meals if you can’t cook.
• Meals with sober friends. Isolation and secrecy were part of your addiction.
Socialization is an important part of recovery. Try eating with people from your support
group before or after a meeting.
Foods Not Recommended
• Anything prepared with alcohol. Alcohol does not completely evaporate when heated
or even boiled. Don’t cook with alcohol. When eating out, ask if dishes are made with
alcohol. Check food and drug labels for alcohol of any sort.
• Foods and drinks with caffeine (such as coffee, tea, cola, Mountain Dew, and Dr.
Pepper). Caffeine can increase your anxiety, decrease your appetite, and keep you awake
at night. Too much caffeine can increase cravings for alcohol and/or drugs. For some
people, any caffeine will create a problem. Others can handle a moderate amount (1 or 2
cups of coffee per day).
• Too much sugar. Sugar can make you moody and anxious. If you consume sugar, have it
with a meal or healthful snack that includes protein. That will lessen the effects.
• Too much fast food. High-fat fast food can make you tired and moody. But if nothing
else is available, fast food is better than no food.

Editor: Maria McCuean

Nancy’s Quote of The Month

Where there is great love there are always miracles. “Willa Cather”

Dr. Krueger's Corner

Research has shown that a small amount of alcohol can actually benefit our health, in addition to enhancing a special meal.

But how does this work? Anti-oxidants called flavonoids are found in the seeds and skin of red grapes. Flavonoids help lower LDL ("bad") cholesterol and boost HDL ("good") cholesterol. They also have blood-thinning properties which help prevent blood clots. Highest concentrations of flavonoids are found in dry red wines, such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, and Pinot Noir. White wines have smaller amounts of antioxidants. The sweeter the wine the fewer the flavonoids. But as always, moderation is vital. A "glass" is considered 4 ounces of wine. One glass per day is the recommendation. And remember, there are no health guarantees to "a glass a day keeps the doctor away!"

Special points of interest:

* Make sure you are keeping up with your routine visits.
* Don’t forget to give at least 24 hour notice if you are unable to keep your appointment.
* Just a reminder that Co-pays are due at check-in the day of service.
* It is helpful if you can bring in your medications during your physical.

Common Mistakes and Assumptions about Alcohol

“Drinking beer is safer than other drinks, so I only drink beer.” This belief is false. It may take longer to get intoxicated because of the volume that has to be consumed, but the percentage of alcohol per volume from beer and wine will make someone as intoxicated as the same percentage of alcohol per volume of a drink that contains hard liquor. “Drinking with others is safer, so I never drink alone.” This belief is false. Drinking alone or with others does not determine intoxication level or problems associated with alcohol consumption.

“Mixing types of drinks will increase intoxication, so I stick to drinking the same thing.” This belief is false. Mixing types of drinks has no differential impact on intoxication. Intoxication is related to total amount of alcohol consumed.

“Eating a meal before drinking is helpful in not getting as drunk, as I never drink on an empty stomach.” This belief is false. Eating will slow down the absorption rate of the alcohol into the bloodstream, but will not stop it.

We encourage you to call our office and ask about webview!  We are now allowing all patients to review their records online and to communicate with staff.  This will be our preferred mode of communication in that it provides a secure e-mail and way to contact us.  You can request appointments, review labs, speak with staff and physicians.  This allows us to be more efficient in the office and allows us to respond to you immediately.  Please call us if you would like to try it out!