What Is Alcohol Intolerance ?
It causes an instant, nauseating reaction soon after the intake of alcohol. Common signs of alcohol intolerance include:
- Skin flushing.
- Nasal congestion.
At times, alcohol intolerance is mistakenly interpreted as alcohol allergy. The cause of alcohol intolerance is an inherited condition wherein the body fails to metabolize the toxins present in alcohol. Avoidance is the best prevention, therefore, avoid alcohol to the greatest.
What Are The Symptoms Of Alcohol Intolerance ?
Common symptoms of alcohol intolerance include:
- Vomiting.
- Nausea.
- Low blood pressure.
- Headache.
- Stuffy or runny nose.
- Worsening of asthma (in case of having asthma).
- Hives.
- Facial redness.
What Causes Alcohol Intolerance ?
The condition is known to occur when your body lacks the needed enzymes to metabolize, say break down the toxins present in alcohol. The deficiency is sourced by inherited traits. In addition to the causes of alcohol intolerance, the reactions can also be triggered by certain ingredients found in alcoholic beverages, particularly wine or beer. At times, intense pain after the consumption of alcohol indicates towards a serious disorder, for example Hodgkin lymphoma.
What Are The Risk Factors Of Alcohol Intolerance ?
A number of factors are known to raise your chances of alcohol intolerance, these include:
- Suffering from Hodgkin lymphoma.
- Belong to an Asian descent.
- Having food allergies, particularly being allergic to grains.
- Usage of specific medications for example antifungal or antibiotic.
- Using disulfiram for alcohol dependence or abuse.
What Are The Complications Of Alcohol Intolerance ?
- Depending upon the trigger, alcohol intolerance can lead to the following complications:
Anaphylaxis: At times, the allergic reaction tends to be extremely serious, a condition commonly known as anaphylaxis. A patient with anaphylaxis needs immediate medical aid. - Migraines: Few alcoholic beverages have histamine, besides, to counteract the allergen, the immune system also releases chemicals including histamines. The chemical is known to cause migraines in few individuals.
How Is Alcohol Intolerance Diagnosis ?
The doctor will work out to determine whether your symptoms are caused by alcohol intolerance or are a reaction to any ingredient found in alcoholic drinks. For the purpose, the doctor will need or carry out the following:
- Complete details regarding the symptoms.
- Physical examination.
- Skin test.
- Blood test.
How Is Alcohol Intolerance Treatment ?
No treatments or medications can help in preventing allergic reactions. As mentioned earlier, avoidance is the best prevention. Therefore avoid alcohol completely, or the specific ingredient or beverage known to root the symptoms. In case of being accidentally exposed, the doctor can prescribe antihistamines for easing your symptoms including hives or itching. For minor reactions, you can also check for over-the-counter antihistamines. Remember, antihistamines are not useful in treating serious, allergic reactions. For such cases, medical assistance should be pursued right away!
Prevention :
Avoid alcoholic beverages, as much as possible. If not, read their labels thoroughly to ensure they are free of the particular ingredient your body does not tolerate.
By : Natural Health News
