Festive drinking linked to sore throat epidemic
Seven million Britons are expected to experience a sore throat over the festive period, largely as a result of excessive alcohol consumption.Research by throat treatment specialist Ultra Chloraseptic suggests that drinking is one of the main causes of sore throats and cold symptoms at this time of year.
With previous research by drug and alcohol treatment charity Addaction suggesting that alcohol consumption increases by 40 per cent in December, it is unsurprising that experts are predicting a rise in winter illnesses over the next few days.
GP Dr Mike Smith explained that heavy drinking and binge-drinking can "play havoc" on the respiratory process.
He revealed: "Snoring and heavy breathing, often brought about by a deep drink-induced sleep, can dry out the throat, but more importantly interrupts the safe passage of oxygen to all the muscles in your body, including those in your throat which help to move particles through the body efficiently and reduce the chance of an infection settling in."
Recent figures published by the London Fire Brigade predicted that Londoners would drink the equivalent of 33 million pints of beer during the month of December.
