Everyone knows that alcohol works as a depressant when it enters the bloodstream, influencing the functions of your body. However, it also depletes your body of water and nutrients, which in turn increases inflammation. That exacerbated inflammation in the body can be directly linked to joint pain.
Heavy Drinking Causes Inflammation
Autoimmune conditions like rheumatoid arthritis can massively impact the joints. While having a few drinks is usually okay, heavy drinking can have inflammatory effects, making symptoms worse.
Another major disadvantage of alcohol consumption is dehydration, which causes reduction in joint lubrication and worsening of joint pain. It also reduces the body's nutrient content, leading to suppression of the immune system and aggravation of joint inflammation.
“Two options are hydroxychloroquine (Plaquenil), which is a mild medication, and sulfasalazine (Azulfidine), which can be used in patients with alcohol use and/or mild liver disease.
Drinking water, juice, broth and other non-alcohol beverages to reduce dehydration. Getting sleep to counteract fatigue. Taking antacids to help settle your stomach. Trying aspirin and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen or naproxen, to help your headache or muscle ache.
Alcohol intolerance can cause immediate, uncomfortable reactions after you drink alcohol. The most common signs and symptoms are stuffy nose and skin flushing. Alcohol intolerance is caused by a genetic condition in which the body can't break down alcohol efficiently.
No need for morphine, we have whiskey. Many people still turn to the use of alcohol for pain relief due to its ability to depress the central nervous system. By slowing down the brain and nervous system, alcohol delivers a certain amount of relief.
Which Alcohol Is the Least Inflammatory? If you're generally healthy, a small amount of alcohol every day probably won't lead to inflammation, reassures Jandes. “Dry red wine seems to have the least amount of negative health effects due to its higher polyphenol content and beneficial bacteria,” she says.
Acute Inflammation
This often results in hangover symptoms like headaches and nausea. Some other acute inflammation side effects include dehydration, face puffiness, inflamed stomach lining, and swollen feet. Typically these symptoms can resolve themselves within a few days after drinking.
Red wine contains a compound called resveratrol, which has potent anti-inflammatory effects. Studies show that red wine consumption is associated with a reduced risk of knee-related osteoarthritis. It can also cut risk factors contributing to rheumatoid arthritis.
People who drink alcohol usually develop avascular necrosis of both the hips. The management of avascular necrosis induced by alcohol depends upon the stage of the disease. In the early stages of the disease, both medical management and surgical management may be done.
When a person drinks too much alcohol, blood vessels dilate, activating the release of lymph fluid in the body. Because alcohol is a diuretic, drinking too much also causes the kidneys to release more fluids. Cervical lymph nodes may swell as a reaction to excessive amounts of alcohol, causing pain.
While moderate drinking may reduce some risks of developing arthritis, if you already suffer from arthritis or a condition like gout, it may do more harm than good. Enjoying a drink with some regularity might reduce your risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis (RA), according to a few studies.
Alcoholic neuropathy involves coasting caused by damage to nerves that results from long term excessive drinking of alcohol and is characterized by spontaneous burning pain, hyperalgesia and allodynia.
Age. Most patients diagnosed with alcoholic neuropathy are aged 40-60 years. As mentioned previously, development of alcoholic neuropathy is associated with the duration and extent of total lifetime consumption of alcohol.
Alcoholic myopathy is a condition that causes loss of function and strength in your skeletal muscles in response to long-term or heavy drinking. It can come on suddenly after binge drinking or can happen over time after regular alcohol use. Alcoholic myopathy happens in about one-third of people who have alcoholism.
What Are the Symptoms of Alcoholic Neuropathy? Alcoholic neuropathy has many of the same symptoms as peripheral neuropathy. For most, this includes a tingling, burning, or painful feeling in their legs, feet, arms, and hands. They may not feel strong sensations in these areas, either, due to the damage to the nerves.
If you're looking to reduce your risk of chronic disease, it's important to be aware of the link between alcohol and inflammation. By cutting back on your drinking or even abstaining for periods of time, you can help reduce inflammation in your body and improve your overall health and wellbeing.
The world's most dangerous alcoholic drinks include Absinthe, Bacardi 151, Changaa, Everclear, Death in the Afternoon, Four Lokos, Jungle Juice, Knockeen Hills, Moonshine, and Spirytus Rektyfikowany. Commonly referred to as the “green fairy,” absinthe was banned in the U.S. from 1915 to 2007.
As the primary site of alcohol metabolism, the liver is particularly vulnerable to alcohol-induced damage.
Red wine, whiskey, tequila, and hard kombucha are healthier options than beer and sugary drinks. The CDC recommends you limit alcohol to 2 drinks a day if you're male and 1 if you're female.