Whether you drink beer, wine or hard liquor, the symptoms of alcohol intolerance are the same. They include hot flushes (such as a red face), fast heart rate, headache, low blood pressure, hives, runny nose, and stomach pain. This reaction can lead to major health problems, including cancer of the mouth, throat, esophagus, stomach, and liver. reports the website.
“If you have this inherited genetic mutation and drink alcohol regularly, you are more likely to develop this type of upper gastrointestinal cancer,” said Dr. Alexander Kuo. There is also increased risk of heart disease and stroke.
Research suggests that it is one of the most common inherited disorders in the world, which it affects 560 million people or eight percent of the world’s population. The highest prevalence (35-40%) is among people of East Asian origin.
Alcohol intolerance or allergic reaction?
It is important to understand the differences between alcohol allergies and alcohol intolerance. While alcohol intolerance is a disorder of the digestive system, alcohol allergy is the immune system’s response to ingredients in drinks such as chemicals, grains or preservatives. Allergic reactions to alcohol can cause symptoms similar to alcohol intolerance, such as difficulty breathing, coughing, runny nose or stomach upset.
These symptoms can be triggered by just one sip and are the result of your body making antibodies against these allergens. If you experience any of these symptoms after drinking alcohol and are not sure whether you have an alcohol allergy or alcohol intolerance, tell your doctor at your next check-up.
The danger of masking effects
While some people attempt to treat the symptoms of alcohol intolerance with cold medications such as antihistamines, such medications do not reduce users’ susceptibility to the critical risks of the condition.
People experiencing symptoms of alcohol intolerance should be aware that there is no treatment or cure for the condition, and more importantly, the long-term effects of ignoring symptoms can be severe. “There is a simple way to avoid all the negative health consequences of alcohol intolerance. Just don’t drink,” Kuo said.
