Alcohol: Not Just for Drinking, The Silent Enemy of Autoimmune Disease
Alcohol intolerance is a common condition that affects up to 20% of the population. While most people with alcohol intolerance can drink moderate amounts of alcohol without any problems, some people are more sensitive to its effects and can experience unpleasant symptoms.
How Alcohol Intolerance and Autoimmune Disease Are Connected?
If you’re struggling with autoimmune disease, alcohol may aggravate your symptoms in a number of ways. For example, alcohol can increase your risk of developing an autoimmune disease by increasing the inflammation in your body.
It’s also been shown to worsen the severity of autoimmune diseases in those who already have them. Read on to find out!
What is Autoimmune Disease and Alcohol Intolerance?
Autoimmune disease is a condition in which the immune system attacks healthy tissue in the body. This can cause inflammation, pain, and even loss of function.
Alcohol intolerance is one form of autoimmune disease. People with alcohol intolerance have a difficult time tolerating alcohol and often experience side effects like headache, nausea, and dizziness when they drink alcohol.
Why is Alcohol Intolerance and Autoimmune Disease a Huge Problem?
People with alcohol intolerance are at increased risk for other health problems, such as heart disease, stroke, and liver problems. Alcohol can damage the cells that make antibodies, making it easier for the immune system to attack healthy tissue.
What are the Symptoms of Autoimmune Disease and Alcohol Intolerance?
Autoimmune diseases are a group of disorders in which the body’s immune system attacks its own tissues.
Symptoms can vary, but they often include swelling, pain, and redness. Many autoimmune diseases are also associated with an increased risk of big disease.
In many cases, autoimmune disorders are tied to one or more other autoimmune diseases, which means that people who have them often also have conditions like type 1 diabetes and liver disease. Alcohol is a major cause of autoimmunity, as it can damage the cells that control the immune system.
How do Alcohol and Autoimmune Diseases Interact?
Autoimmune diseases are conditions in which the immune system attacks the body’s own tissues and organs. There are many different autoimmune diseases, but they all share some common features.
These include a primary or initial attack on the body’s own tissues or organs, a long period of susceptibility before the disease is recognized and treated, and a high rate of occurrence in people who have a family history of autoimmune disease.
Alcohol can worsen autoimmune diseases by making them more severe and longer lasting. In addition, alcohol use can also increase the risk of developing other autoimmune conditions.
What Can You do to Mitigate the Risk of Autoimmune Disease and Alcohol Intolerance?
The best way to treat autoimmune disease will vary depending on the individual’s specific situation and health condition. However, some tips on how to treat autoimmune disease if it is diagnosed include:
- Learn as much as you can about your condition.
- Seek professional help.
- Follow a healthy diet and lifestyle plan.
- Use medications as prescribed by your doctor.
- People with autoimmune disease find it helpful to avoid alcohol consumption.
- Physical activity to reduce inflammation and improve overall health
Doctors may ask you about your drinking habits and how you react to drinks of different strengths and types of alcohol. They may also do tests to measure your blood levels of certain substances after you drink alcohol.
Conclusion
If you are suffering from autoimmune disease or alcohol intolerance, it is important to talk to your healthcare provider about your risk for developing other health problems from drinking alcohol. You may need to reduce or avoid drinking alcohol altogether if you have an autoimmune disease.