Lena Savoie
There are many reasons why alcohol may be making you sick all of a sudden. Alcohol intolerance, which can be genetic or develop over time, is a common cause. This occurs when your body lacks the enzymes to break down alcohol, leading to symptoms such as facial flushing, skin issues, and digestive problems. Aging can also play a role, as older adults experience changes in renal function and water-sodium balance, making them more susceptible to dehydration and the effects of alcohol. Additionally, certain medications, underlying health conditions, allergies, and lifestyle factors can all contribute to a sudden onset of alcohol intolerance or increased sensitivity to alcohol. If you are experiencing these issues, it is important to seek advice from a healthcare professional to understand the root cause and explore treatment options.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Alcohol intolerance | Body lacks the enzymes to suitably digest alcohol |
| Body struggles to break down acetaldehyde, a toxic byproduct of alcohol metabolism | |
| Genetic | |
| Caused by underlying health conditions | |
| Caused by allergies and sensitivities | |
| Caused by hormonal changes | |
| Age | Older adults experience a change in their renal function and balance of water and sodium, which raises their risk of dehydration |
| Older adults may become more easily intoxicated as they age | |
| Older females are more sensitive than males to the effects of alcohol | |
| Medication | Certain medications can increase sensitivity to the side effects of drinking |
| Combining alcohol with certain medications can cause reactions | |
| Combining alcohol with medication can be life-threatening | |
| Allergies | Allergic reactions to grains such as corn, wheat, rye, or barley |
| Allergic reactions to sulfites, histamines, or other chemicals and preservatives | |
| Allergic reactions to other ingredients in alcoholic beverages | |
| Other | Stress and anxiety |
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What You'll Learn
Alcohol intolerance
The symptoms of alcohol intolerance include flushing (such as a red face), rapid heart rate, headache, low blood pressure, hives, runny nose, stomach pain and diarrhoea. These symptoms can occur almost immediately, sometimes within minutes of drinking.
It is easy to confuse alcohol intolerance with an alcohol allergy, as both can cause similar symptoms such as hives, itching, facial swelling, and difficulty breathing. However, an alcohol allergy is an immune system response to an ingredient in alcohol, whereas alcohol intolerance is a physical reaction to the alcohol itself.
There is no cure for alcohol intolerance, and the long-term effects of overlooking the symptoms can be severe. The best way to manage the condition is to limit or avoid alcohol completely. Other lifestyle adjustments can also help, such as choosing drinks that are low in sulfites and other preservatives, staying hydrated, and eating before consuming alcohol.
It is not uncommon to develop alcohol intolerance at any point in life. Aging lowers a person's ability to metabolise alcohol due to reduced enzyme activity, which therefore lowers their tolerance. Certain medications can also increase sensitivity to the side effects of drinking.
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Allergies to grains or other ingredients
Alcoholic drinks are made from complex mixtures of grains, chemicals, and preservatives that the body needs to break down. If your body cannot break these substances down well enough, you will have a reaction.
It is not uncommon to develop an allergy to grains or other ingredients in alcoholic drinks at any point in one's life. The onset of allergy-like symptoms after consuming alcohol may be alarming. Symptoms like hives, itching, facial swelling, and difficulty breathing can indicate a mild allergic reaction. These reactions may be caused by an allergy to grains such as corn, wheat, rye, or other grains used in alcoholic drinks. People with celiac disease, non-celiac gluten sensitivity, or wheat allergies may need to avoid beer, which is commonly made with grains that contain gluten, such as wheat, barley, and rye. However, distilled spirits made from gluten-containing grains, such as gin, vodka, and whiskey, are considered gluten-free unless gluten-containing flavorings are added after distillation. Wine and most brandies are also gluten-free.
Other ingredients in alcoholic drinks that may cause allergic reactions include histamine, which is an organic compound found in fermented foods and is present in high levels in red wine, and sulfites, a sulfur-containing compound found in beer, cider, and wine. People with sulfite allergies will likely need to avoid red wine, and those with a mold or yeast allergy may need to avoid fermented beverages made with brewer's yeast, including beer and wine. While rare, people with grape allergies should avoid wine and grape-based liquors, including brandy. Even less common is an allergy or intolerance to corn-based liquors like bourbon.
In addition to allergies, other factors that may cause alcohol intolerance include age, hormonal changes, underlying health conditions, and interactions with medications. As people get older, their bodies become less able to process large amounts of alcohol, and it takes longer to recover from its effects. Aging also lowers a person's ability to metabolize alcohol due to reduced enzyme activity, which lowers their tolerance. Hormonal changes, such as those related to menopause or endocrine disorders, may also affect how the body processes alcohol. Underlying health conditions, such as autoimmune disorders, gastrointestinal issues, and other chronic illnesses, can alter how the body absorbs and metabolizes substances, including alcohol. Additionally, combining alcohol with certain medications can cause reactions and increase sensitivity to its side effects.
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Medication interactions
Alcohol interacts with many medications, including over-the-counter and prescription drugs, and even some herbal remedies. The interaction between alcohol and medication can cause a range of adverse effects, from mild to severe, and even life-threatening.
Firstly, alcohol can alter the metabolism and pharmacological effects of many common medications, and certain medications can alter the absorption and metabolism of alcohol. This can lead to a higher concentration of alcohol in the bloodstream, resulting in alcohol-related damage to organs such as the liver. Older people are particularly at risk of harmful alcohol-medication interactions due to age-related changes in their physiology and their increased use of medications that could interact with alcohol.
Secondly, combining alcohol with certain medications, particularly those with sedative effects, can increase the risk of adverse events, including falls, driving accidents, and fatal overdoses. Alcohol can also increase the side effects of some medications, such as nausea, vomiting, and drowsiness, which can be dangerous when operating machinery or driving.
Thirdly, alcohol can make a medication less effective or even useless, or it may make the medication harmful or toxic to the body. For example, consuming alcohol with certain antimicrobial medications can cause facial flushing, nausea, vomiting, headache, rapid heart rate, and low blood pressure. Alcohol can also increase the risk of severe liver damage when taken with acetaminophen (Tylenol) and can lead to life-threatening drowsiness, impaired motor control, and dangerously slow breathing when taken with prescription painkillers such as oxycodone or hydrocodone.
Lastly, some herbal supplements should not be taken with alcohol, as they can cause adverse effects. For example, kava can cause drowsiness or liver damage when mixed with alcohol, while St. John's Wort can cause dizziness, drowsiness, and concentration difficulties. Chamomile, valerian, and lavender can also make people feel excessively sleepy when mixed with alcohol.
It is important to read the labels on medication bottles and consult a pharmacist or healthcare provider if there are any concerns about potential interactions with alcohol.
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Hormonal changes
When alcohol enters the body, it passes through the small intestine and into the bloodstream, where it can travel to the brain in as little as five minutes and disrupt the activities of chemical messengers that control multiple functions, also known as hormones. Alcohol interferes with the body's natural hormonal balance, including the hormone system that regulates glucose levels. The body's blood sugar levels are controlled by insulin and glucagon, hormones secreted by the pancreas. Alcohol consumption increases the presence of glucose in the body, causing blood sugar levels to spike, which raises the risk of type 2 diabetes and hyperglycemia in those with pre-existing diabetes.
In addition, alcohol consumption increases the body's production of cortisol, the primary stress hormone. While alcohol initially lowers cortisol levels, thus temporarily inhibiting stress, over time, drinking can increase levels of this hormone, especially the next morning when the body is withdrawing from the effects of alcohol. Increased cortisol can make you feel stressed and anxious, causing digestive issues, mood swings, high blood sugar, reduced immunity, and poor sleep.
Chronic drinking can also interfere with reproductive functions. Alcohol can impair the adequate functioning of the testes and ovaries and result in hormonal deficiencies, sexual dysfunction, and infertility. For example, alcohol can lower testosterone production, affecting sexual function, muscle mass, and mood in men. In women, heavy drinking can influence the activity of enzymes involved in estrogen metabolism, potentially leading to higher estrogen levels and an increased risk of breast cancer, irregular periods, menstrual issues, and problems with bone density.
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Aging
As we age, our bodies may start to process alcohol more slowly, and it may take fewer drinks to become intoxicated. The effects of alcohol may feel stronger as we get older, even when drinking the same amount as before. This is due to changes in metabolism, body mass, and other bodily functions. Older people may also experience balance problems and falls, which can result in hip or arm fractures and other injuries.
Additionally, alcohol can make existing health problems worse and interfere with medications. For example, combining alcohol with certain medications can increase sensitivity to its side effects and cause reactions such as sickness. As such, older adults may need to reduce their alcohol consumption or avoid it altogether.
The development of alcohol intolerance with age can also be due to a genetic condition called metabolic intolerance, where one of the enzymes that help break down and process alcohol is missing or less effective. This can cause nausea and sickness even when drinking a small amount of alcohol.
Furthermore, ageing can lead to a decrease in the enzymes that break down alcohol, such as alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) and aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH). This can result in a higher buildup of acetaldehyde, a toxic byproduct of alcohol metabolism, leading to unpleasant reactions and sickness.
Ageing can also increase the risk of developing allergies or sensitivities to ingredients in alcoholic beverages, such as grains, preservatives, or histamines. These allergies can cause allergic reactions, including mild symptoms like hives and itching, or more severe reactions like low blood pressure, chest pain, and throat closure, requiring immediate medical attention.
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Frequently asked questions
There are several reasons why you might be experiencing sickness after consuming alcohol. It could be due to an allergy or intolerance to alcohol or an ingredient in an alcoholic beverage, such as grains or preservatives. Other factors include age, medication, underlying health conditions, or changes in metabolism and body functions.
Symptoms of an alcohol allergy can include nausea, rash, swelling, stomach cramps, and difficulty breathing. In severe cases, an allergic reaction can lead to anaphylaxis, requiring immediate medical attention. Alcohol intolerance symptoms typically occur almost immediately, sometimes within minutes of drinking, and can include facial flushing, skin issues, and digestive problems.
If you experience sickness or other adverse reactions after consuming alcohol, it is important to consult a healthcare professional to determine any underlying health issues or medication interactions. They can provide guidance on recommended alcohol intake guidelines and treatment options. Avoiding alcohol or specific substances that trigger a reaction can also help prevent future issues.
