It’s the time of the year for donning green and celebrating the Irish heritage with friends and family.
The entertainment alone makes this culture attractive to various people of all ages and areas in Milwaukee. Bagpipes, drums, dancing, traditional Irish music to pub bands are a few to mention, and with this, incorporate plenty of Green Beer. St. Patrick’s Day is one of the largest alcohol-consuming days of the year which can portray to some people that over embellishing “green liquid” is acceptable.
According to the National Institute of Health, “drinking too much, on a single occasion or over a period of time, can affect body organs and cause physical and mental complications.” Some examples are below:

Brain
Alcohol interferes with the brain’s communication pathways, and can affect the way the brain looks and works. These disruptions can change mood and behavior, and make it harder to think clearly and move with coordination.

Heart
Drinking a lot over a long time or too much on a single occasion can damage the heart, causing problems including:
Cardiomyopathy– stretching and drooping of heart muscle
Arrhythmias –
irregular heart beat
Stroke
High blood pressure

Liver
Heavy drinking takes a toll on the liver, and can lead to a variety of problems and liver inflammations including:
Steatosis, or fatty liver
Alcoholic hepatitis
Fibrosis
Cirrhosis

Pancreas
Alcohol causes the pancreas to produce toxic substances that can eventually lead to pancreatitis, a dangerous inflammation and swelling of the blood vessels in the pancreas that prevents proper digestion.
During celebrations like St. Patrick’s Day, it’s important to remember to be responsible and safe. Milwaukee offers healthier choices in honor of celebrating this deep-rooted saint’s day for people who hold Irish heredity to those who want to be kissed by the Irish.
The Shamrock Club of Wisconsin’s 49th Annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade will take place on March 14, stepping off at noon at Third and Wisconsin and finishing at Water and Highland.
The 2015 Blarney Run/Walk will begin at the Friends of Hoyt Pool and Park Grand Hall at 10 a.m. on March 14. The course includes a 3.1-mile (5K) run or 2-mile walk. The quarter-mile “Twinkle Trot” is for age 10 and under. The registration fee includes a shirt.
Advance registration is $22, day of race is $25.
The first 800 Blarney Run/Walk participants will be guaranteed a special commemorative long-sleeved T-shirt with an exclusive design.
You can also register at advance registration prices during packet pickup 4-7 p.m. Friday.
For more information, see www.wauwatosahistoricalsociety.org/Blarney.html.
Think healthy. Make healthy Irish choices.