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Alcohol allergies
You are probably surprised, just as I was the first time I Heard about it, if there is even such a thing as alcohol allergies. The answer is yes and I will explain why. Some people are more sensitive to the effects of alcohol than others. This is not a hard concept to understand when you think about it. A food allergy involves the immune system and people who have a food allergy, their immune system mistakenlyidentifies the specific food or a component in the food as a harmful substance and triggers the body cells tofight the food component. With food allergies, symptoms include hives, swellings on the tongue, throat and lips as well as tingling in the mouth. In extreme cases, it can result in difficulty in breathing.
When it comes to alcohol allergies, this are more or less similar. Though an uncommon allergy, it could be caused by an ingredient in the alcoholic beverage such as wheat or a preservative. Some substances in wines are known to cause rashes and flushing and could thus be regarded as alcohol allergies. More likely though is that you could simply be experiencing an alcohol intolerance. This means that you are likely just more sensitive to the normal effects of alcohol than others. Some of the effects of alcohol that are not necessarily signs of alcohol allergies are headaches, rapid heartbeat, abdominal pain, nasal congestion, nausea and vomiting.
Alcohol allergies among people of Asian descent includes an unusual flushing reaction after taking alcohol. This can occur even after taking very small amounts of alcohol. So take note not to force your Asian friends to take even a small sip of your new wine you want them to taste. Their genetic makeup does not allow them to break down the alcohol completely. In fact, people who have these flush reactions are an increased risk of developing an alcohol related condition like liver disease or esophagus cance. That is one good reason why they should not take wine in your party - maybe punch will do.
Well, what is the solution for those who have alcohol allergies? Unfortunately, the only solution is to avoid alcohol. Somtimes, the problem may not be diagnosed immediately and some doctors will even call it alcohol intolerance. However, if you discover that these symptoms occur after you take alcohol, it may me time to put the beer bottle down for good. Alternativfely, you may have to try different alcoholic beverages until you find one that does not affect you. |
