However, these tests aren’t always accurate, so it’s important to thoroughly discuss your symptoms and test results with a qualified medical professional. Diagnosing alcohol intolerance usually involves a physical exam and specific tests given by your doctor. Whether you are struggling with addiction, mental health or both, our expert team is here to guide you every step of the way. Don’t wait— reach out today to take the first step toward taking control of your life. Alcohol allergy is an immune system response — your immune system overreacts to an ingredient in alcohol. You may be allergic to one of the substances in alcohol (a chemical, grain or preservative, such as sulfite).
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- Alcohol allergy happens when the immune system mistakenly identifies alcohol as a threat and launches an attack that can affect the entire body.
- We publish material that is researched, cited, edited and reviewed by licensed medical professionals.
- Certain people may find that they are in fact not able to comfortably consume such things as seafood proteins, egg protein, or barley found in their favourite alcoholic beverages.
- In this article, we’ll briefly dive into the basics of alcohol intolerance, its symptoms, the diseases that may cause it, and how to test for this condition.
Recognizing the signs and triggers of alcohol intolerance empowers people to make informed decisions about their drinking habits. This genetic condition causes unpleasant reactions when drinking alcohol, including flushed skin, nasal congestion, and rapid heartbeat. While often confused with an alcohol allergy, intolerance stems from the body’s inability to break down and process alcohol properly. Other causes include reactions to ingredients commonly found in alcohol intolerance alcoholic beverages, such as sulfites, histamines, and grain proteins. Certain medications, particularly antibiotics and antifungals, can also trigger intolerance-like reactions when combined with alcohol. For many people, especially those of East Asian descent, it’s often due to a genetic enzyme deficiency that can increase the risk of certain cancers, like esophageal cancer.
What diseases cause alcohol intolerance?
Avoiding alcohol also helps you to avoid the unpleasant symptoms that alcohol intolerance can create. This genetic deficiency results in decreased levels of aldehyde dehydrogenase, the enzyme that breaks acetaldehyde into non-toxic chemicals. Those with normal aldehyde dehydrogenase levels break acetaldehyde down almost instantaneously, while those with ALDH2 deficiency metabolize it quite slowly. This is typically more than just feeling queasy, but severe abdominal cramping and retching that occurs very soon after drinking alcohol. This nausea and vomiting will differ from vomiting that can happen when drinking in that it will be very soon after drinking, occurring suddenly and intensely.
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This can lead to some pretty uncomfortable reactions, like flushing (you’ll most likely notice a red face), nausea, headaches, and even digestive issues like stomach pain or diarrhoea. The amount of alcohol needed to trigger intolerance symptoms varies significantly from person to person. Some people experience reactions after just a few sips of wine or beer, while others might tolerate half a drink before symptoms begin. This variation depends on factors like genetic makeup, overall health status, and the specific type of alcohol consumed. Certain ingredients in different alcoholic beverages can also affect reaction thresholds. For instance, someone might react more quickly to red wine with high sulfite content than a clear spirit.
