By doing so, you can help to reduce the severity of your symptoms and make sure that you enjoy your time drinking alcohol without having to worry about the consequences. Additionally, taking Pepcid before drinking can pose long-term health risks, like higher rates of esophagus and stomach cancer. So, Pepcid may prevent alcohol flush reaction, but it’s a risky strategy. It’s the result of https://ecosoberhouse.com/ hereditary genes that cause a deficiency in the enzyme ALDH2. Your body needs this enzyme to properly metabolize alcohol and eliminate it from the body, so there’s nothing you can do to prevent or cure alcohol intolerance.
Surprising side effects of alcohol
- You may not need to see a doctor if you have a mild intolerance to alcohol or something else in alcoholic beverages.
- Specifically, genetic changes that make your corresponding ALDH2 enzyme bad at its job.
- You had a long week, and you opened that bottle of wine to help you relax — but instead you wound up with a stuffy nose you now have to deal with.
- You can also try taking an over-the-counter antihistamine before drinking red wine.
- Some people may develop alcohol intolerance later in life as their body’s response to alcohol changes.
- The main reason that red wine causes congestion is because of the histamines it contains.
- I’ve been there myself, dealing with unpleasant reactions to drinking, and I know how confusing it can be to figure out what’s happening.
When you pour a drink at home or order one out, the amount of alcohol can be deceiving, DeSantis cautions. For example, most wine glasses hold much more than the recommended serving size of 5 ounces. But unless you have a digestive condition or carbohydrate intolerance, the alcohol type probably matters less than how much you drink.
Dehydration
Firstly, it is important to be aware of your triggers and try to avoid them if possible. If you know that certain types of alcohol trigger your symptoms, then it is best to avoid those altogether. Specifically, people with alcohol intolerance don’t have enough of the enzyme aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 (ALDH2).
- Unlike a vitamin deficiency, the low production of the ALDH2 enzymes can not be replenished with medication or diet.
- Secondly, you can try using an over-the-counter antihistamine or decongestant before drinking alcohol.
- Specifically, people with alcohol intolerance don’t have enough of the enzyme aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 (ALDH2).
- Some ethnicities, such as Asians, have inherited genetic traits that increase their risk for this reaction as well as other symptoms.
- However, the severity of these symptoms may vary from person to person.
What causes my stuffy nose after drinking alcohol?
These ingredients may include gluten, grain, chemicals, and preservatives. If you experience symptoms no matter what type of alcohol you drink, it’s more why do i get stuffy after drinking alcohol likely that you have alcohol intolerance. The second reason why alcohol can cause sneezing and congestion is that wine, beer, and spirits contain histamine, a compound that elicits an allergic response. Of all alcoholic beverages, red wines usually have the highest histamine content.
An alcohol intolerance, or ingredients like histamines in alcohol cause an allergy-like reaction in drinkers, swelling the the mucosal membranes in the nasal passages and airways. Avoiding problematic ingredients or taking a supplement to reduce acetaldehyde buildup and intolerance symptoms can help prevent nasal congestion from drinking. However, for some others the symptoms are more extreme and don’t clear up quickly. These people are experiencing what are called “alcohol-induced nasal symptoms”.
- Whether you have mild flushing from wine or more severe stomach upset from beer, you can get to the bottom of your body’s response and find relief.
- DeSantis explains what alcohol does to your gut, how to feel better and ways to prevent alcohol-related diarrhea.
- But if your nose, mouth, and throat swell up to the point it becomes difficult to breathe, it is more likely an allergic reaction to the alcohol consumption.
- If your congestion is severe, you may want to see a doctor to get a prescription for a decongestant.
- Ultimately, mixing Pepcid and alcohol so that you can drink more only worsens the problem.
Unfortunately, nothing can prevent reactions to alcohol or ingredients in alcoholic beverages. To avoid a reaction, avoid alcohol or the particular substance that causes your reaction. Having a mild intolerance to alcohol or something else in alcoholic beverages might not require a trip to a doctor.
Avoiding Alcohol With a Sinus Infection
- For a more severe reaction—severe skin reaction, weak pulse, vomiting, or trouble breathing—seek emergency help right away.
- This summer an old high school friend of mine decided to quit drinking entirely.
- It could also be that alcohol has a natural side effect to make people congested.
- It acts as a depressant, influencing the central nervous system and altering normal bodily functions.
- About twice as many women as men report symptoms from consuming alcohol.
- However, if you have a serious reaction or severe pain, see your doctor.
- Because alcohol is a carcinogen, drinking already increases cancer risk.
If you love drinking beer because of the taste but hate getting a negative reaction, you may have a better experience drinking alcoholic-free beer instead. There are a lot of ingredients, additives, and preservatives in beer that can cause severe allergic reactions in some people. As mentioned above, symptoms of a beer intolerance can look like an allergic reaction, even if it isn’t actually one. If you are someone who experiences red wine congestion, try switching to white wine or avoiding alcohol altogether. You can also try taking an over-the-counter antihistamine before drinking red wine.
Does Taking Pepcid Before Drinking Prevent Alcohol Flush Reaction?
In addition, various ingredients found in alcoholic beverages have the potential to trigger an allergic reaction in some people. Many people report that red wine causes the most noticeable nasal congestion, even in those without an alcohol allergy or alcohol intolerance. If you feel that you are suffering from alcohol allergies or even an intolerance – it doesn’t mean you have to give up drinking altogether. If you have a true alcohol allergy, it is best to abstain from alcohol altogether until you’ve had a chance to speak with your doctor.
She is also an accomplished medical writer Twelve-step program and editor, and was formerly a senior medical officer with the U.S.