As a result, people with asthma are also more likely to experience nasal congestion after drinking alcohol. And if you have any sort of allergies, frequent alcohol consumption can worsen your symptoms. For many people, especially those of East Asian descent, it’s often due to a genetic enzyme deficiency that can increase the risk of certain cancers, like esophageal cancer. It’s definitely worth considering these connections, and talking to a healthcare professional can really help in understanding individual risks and managing symptoms. Yes, alcohol intolerance can develop suddenly, although it remains uncommon.
Using Over-the-Counter Medications
If you have an alcohol allergy, your immune system over-reacts to alcohol. If you have alcohol intolerance, your digestive system doesn’t process alcohol properly. You might also react to certain alcoholic beverages if you have a histamine or sulfites intolerance. In very rare cases, reactions to alcohol may be a sign of Hodgkin’s lymphoma. In fact, many people mistakenly assume that all uncomfortable reactions to alcohol are due to a hangover or drinking too much. Alcohol intolerance can be a frustrating and potentially dangerous condition.
Personalized Addiction Care in New Jersey
Because alcohol intolerance is rooted in metabolism rather than an immune response, it’s alcohol intolerance symptoms often less dangerous than a true allergy — but still important to manage. Chronic exposure to high levels of acetaldehyde could contribute to long-term health risks, including certain cancers. If you have a severe alcohol allergy, you should have an emergency plan in place with your healthcare provider due to the potentially life-threatening reactions. Alcohol allergies are relatively rare and a lot of people who have an allergic reaction to alcohol are actually allergic to other components in the drink like barley, wheat, grapes, or yeast.
Spotting the signs of an adverse reaction to alcohol
- Alcoholic drinks can also trigger an allergic reaction to food if you consume the two together, as alcohol can interfere with the gut lining.
- An alcohol allergy can cause a rash, swelling, vomiting and anaphylaxis in extreme cases.
- They can help you figure out if you have either of these conditions or refer you to an allergist for testing.
- If you suddenly notice symptoms after drinking alcohol, it’s a good idea to talk to a doctor to find out what’s causing them.
- The acetaldehyde that builds up and causes alcohol intolerance is a major contributing factor in hangovers.
It’s important to note that not all types of alcohol intolerance are caused by an underlying medical condition. However, if you’re experiencing any symptoms after drinking alcohol it’s important to speak with your doctor about potential causes and treatment options. For instance, red wine and dark spirits often contain high levels of histamines and congeners, which can trigger adverse reactions. Similarly, beer and cider can pose problems due to their high sulfite content and grain derivatives. By steering clear of these beverages, you can reduce the risk of uncomfortable symptoms.
- This effect can occur due to alcohol’s vasodilatory effect, making the skin feel unusually warm for a time.
- If you have alcohol intolerance or sulfite sensitivity, it’s best to avoid these beverages altogether.
- While this over-the-counter option can make you feel better, it is not actually treating the underlying problem but just masking it.
- However, unlike a hangover, alcohol intolerance is typically linked to a genetic or medical condition that causes difficulty breaking down alcohol in the body.
Can Alcohol Intolerance Be Confused With A Hangover?
If you have alcohol intolerance but drug addiction treatment still find yourself drinking excessively, despite the pain and discomfort, talk to your healthcare provider. Alcohol intolerance is primarily caused by an enzyme, aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH2), deficiency. If you’re deficient in ALDH2, acetaldehyde builds up in your blood and tissues, causing uncomfortable symptoms after consuming alcohol.
- For instance, wines and beers often contain sulfites, preservatives that can trigger allergy-like symptoms.
- It can happen, however, and it might signal that you’re developing an alcohol intolerance, which doctors say can arise seemingly out of nowhere.
- Alcohol intolerance symptoms usually appear shortly after consuming alcoholic beverages.
It responds to alcohol by producing antibodies known https://ecosoberhouse.com/ as immunoglobulin E (IgE). Sudden onset of symptoms may also be caused by a newly developed intolerance. In rare cases, pain after drinking alcohol might be a sign that you have Hodgkin’s lymphoma. If you are struggling to stop drinking even though you have alcohol intolerance, you should consider getting professional help to stop drinking alcohol.
Eat Before Drinking
In fact, a lot of alcoholic beverages, including wine, contain histamines too. The symptoms of alcohol intolerance may include flushing, nasal congestion, gastrointestinal discomfort, or rapid heartbeat after alcohol consumption. Someone experiencing these symptoms should undergo a thorough medical evaluation. The diagnosis primarily relies on the patient’s history and a physical examination. There is no cure or treatment for alcohol intolerance unless it is due to medication use or a medical condition. For people who have alcohol intolerance due to a medication, stopping the medication will likely resolve the alcohol intolerance.