Alcohol Intolerance Symptoms

If you're into social drinking and love your occasional tequila shot (or any other drink for that matter), it would be rather shocking for you to imagine that there are some people who have alcohol intolerance. Which simply put means that they cannot consume alcohol without having certain adverse effects. Why do some people have alcohol intolerance? What are alcohol intolerance causes and how can one cure alcohol intolerance? That is what we will be touching upon in this article.

What is Alcohol Intolerance?

Alcohol intolerance is caused due to the absence or deficiency of an enzyme called Aldehyde Dehydrogenase (ALDH) in our bodies (liver). When we ingest any food, it needs to be broken down so that it can be absorbed into the intestines or blood stream. This is done with the help of enzymes. Similarly, alcohol needs to be broken down into acetic acid (vinegar), as well. But if there is a deficiency of the ALDH enzyme, then alcohol cannot be broken down and therefore one will experience certain unpleasant reactions after alcohol consumption.

There is also a possibility that some people have an alteration in the ALDH gene which is known as polymorphism. Polymorphism leads to the ALDH gene becoming inactive and therefore the breaking down of alcohol becomes impossible. This condition is genetic.

Other than this condition, there are also some other alcohol intolerance causes that we can speak of. Let us see what they are.

Causes

• Alcohol intolerance can also be caused due to an allergic reaction to an ingredient that is present in the alcoholic drink.
• Sometimes, certain medications do not mix well with alcohol (ethanol) and therefore the combination of these can cause alcohol intolerance.
• Alcohol intolerance could also be a sign of some major underlying disease.

But the term 'alcohol intolerance' signifies a genetic condition in which alcohol cannot be converted to vinegar due to the deficiency of the ALDH enzyme.

Symptoms

• Skin turns bright red, accompanied by flushing of the skin.
• There might be nasal congestion.
• The throat might be constricted and there will be difficulty in breathing.
• The skin will feel itchy and will be accompanied by hot flashes.
• There might be a stuffy or runny nose.
• Vomiting and coughing will be experienced.
• There will be heartburn and the heart rate will increase dramatically.
• One may even experience abdominal pain.
• If a person suffers from asthma, then their condition may become worse due to the sulfites in alcohol.
• There will be swelling of the lips or tongue.
• There might be complaints of experiencing chest pains and dizziness.
• Sometimes a person will also have strong or mild headaches.

These were some of the alcohol intolerance symptoms. Certain other beverages and drinks might evoke symptoms of a different nature, in addition to those mentioned here.

Remedies

Alcohol intolerance is a condition that is genetic. Therefore there is no 'cure' for this. However, if one does notice symptoms of alcohol intolerance after drinking, then one has to treat it like a normal alcohol allergy, which would involve seeking medical attention at the earliest.

In conditions of an allergic reaction to an ingredient in the drink, one can take medicines to treat it accordingly. For example, if it is a histamine intolerance then one can take an anti-histamine for it. Or if sulfites that are causing the reaction, then avoiding all wines goes as a cardinal rule.

There have been certain findings in the recent times that show some promising results. This is in relation to the alcohol intolerance in its true sense, that is the deficiency of the ALDH enzyme.

Taking zinc before consuming an alcoholic beverage has been shown to help convert the alcohol to vinegar. Though this has not been proved yet, so do not take it as an accepted cure for alcohol intolerance.

Similarly, a molecule known as the Alda-1 molecule has been found to activate the ALDH enzyme. This in turn allows the enzyme to digest the alcohol. However, it is still in the initial stages of research of being converted into a treatment for alcohol intolerance.

Alcohol intolerance in the real sense is not something that we can control, because it is genetic. Therefore, if one is categorized as suffering from alcohol intolerance, one should stop drinking alcohol all together. The consequences could be far reaching and very severe.