Red Face and Alcohol

Red face and alcohol often go hand in hand. And I'm not just talking about embarrassment here! Don't know what I mean? At every party you see that one guy who has had a lot to drink and his face is all red. And it is not anger or any of that. This particular occurrence of red face and alcohol is known as alcohol flush reaction and is one of the side effects of alcoholism and alcohol addiction. So what causes this reaction? The red face due to alcohol is more commonly seen among people of east Asian descent and hence, is also known as the Asian Flush. The red face makes the people feel more flustered. But is that all there is to it? Here's some more information on what is also known as the Asian glow.

Measuring the Risk of Alcohol Flush

Most people do not know this, but an alcohol flush reaction is a potentially dangerous reaction in the body. Usually, when a person consumes alcohol, the liquid (primarily ethanol) is first converted to a substance known as acetaldehyde, by a compound known as alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH). Acetaldehyde is a potentially toxic substance, and is dangerous to the body which unless converted into acetic acid, will harm the body. The body knows the dangers of acetaldehyde and hence it promptly releases a substance known as aldehyde dehydrogenase-2 (ALDH2) to break down the toxic acetaldehyde into carbon dioxide, water and fats which are non-toxic substances and can be processed by the body. Then the carbon dioxide and water is removed by the body and the fats are absorbed.

But in case of people who get this alcoholic flush reaction, there is a slight mutation. Some people face the problem where the normal process of the ALDH2 gene is hampered by its genetic variant, known as ALDH2*2 allele. The ALDH2*2 allele doesn't let the ALDH2 chemical to go about its normal job, detoxifying the dangerous acetaldehyde, which causes the alcohol flush reaction.

Researchers say that this small mutation exists predominantly amongst east Asians. Nearly 45-50% of east Asians face the problem of alcohol flush reaction, while it is rarely seen amongst people from other parts of the world.

Now this whole scientific explanation is fine, but what exactly is it that causes the red face? The acetaldehyde causes a condition in the body known as erythema. It causes the blood capillaries in the face, neck and shoulder to dilate, which creates blotching of the facial skin. But this is still not the most worrying aspect of red face and alcohol. Researchers say that people who experience an alcohol flush reaction have a 6 to 10 times higher chance of contracting esophageal cancer than those who don't.

Symptoms of an Alcohol Flush Reaction

The symptoms of an alcohol flush reaction are fairly obvious. The symptoms of alcohol flush reaction, apart from the red face when drinking of course, are:

• Reduced Blood Pressure
• Dizziness and Drowsiness
• Swollen Face
• Fatigue
• Headache
• Faster than Normal Pulse
• Vomiting

Alcohol Flush Reaction Cure

Unfortunately, there is no known sure-shot cure for the alcohol flush reaction. Some people believe that stomach acid medication work, but it is always better to consult a doctor who knows your medical history before trying any new medication. Alcohol flush reaction prevention is the only way out. It is best that you know your limits and how much alcohol your body can take.

Researchers claim that people who experience the alcohol flush reaction have a larger chance (6 to 10 times higher) of contracting esophageal cancer. Hence, it is better to lay off the drinks, or at least drink in moderation, than to come out red-faced later!