Alcohol & The Immune System: Does Alcohol Weaken the Immune System?

Continued alcohol use leads to liver fibrosis and, finally, cirrhosis. Overall, avoid drinking more than moderate amounts if you want your immune system in good shape, says Favini. And if you feel like you’re coming down with something or are sick, do not drink. Not only will drinking alcohol reduce your immune system’s strength, but alcohol also has a dehydrating effect. The immune system is how your body defends itself from infections — like harmful bacteria and viruses — and prevents you from getting sick. But just like a muscle, the immune system can become weak and fail to protect you against infection as well.

• Excessive drinking reduces the number and function of three important kinds of cells in your immune system–macrophages, T and C cells.
• If you or a loved one is struggling with alcohol use disorder, reach out to Serenity Grove Recovery’s alcohol rehab in Georgia today.
• Generally, women seem to be more susceptible to autoimmune or inflammatory diseases, although they have a lower risk of infections than men, especially during the pre-menopausal years.
• These effects are worse if you practice binge drinking or heavy drinking over a period of a few days.
• While the exact mechanisms are unknown, it’s known that excessive alcohol consumption suppresses your body’s immune response.
• If you drink alcohol to excess, your immune system will not function as well as it should.

Alcohol use and misuse have increased during these difficult times, putting more people at risk for alcohol use disorder and a lowered immune system. What this entails is a lifestyle change free of alcohol, smoking and unhealthy foods. Regular exercise and proper hygiene also help create a proper internal environment for your immune system to repair itself. Setting a nighttime routine to promote better sleep gives your body time to truly rest and heal. Your body is extremely capable of taking care of itself but it needs the proper maintenance and energy to do so. After drinking has fully stopped, it’s time to take steps towards your overall health that also increase the strength of your immune system.

Short-term Effects of Alcohol on the Immune System

In the end, the best way to keep drinking from lowering the immune system is to quit consuming alcohol. Alcohol also causes the body to metabolize toxic chemicals and increase hormone levels. For example, an increase in estrogen can lead the body to develop breast cancer. When a person drinks alcohol, their body metabolizes it into acetaldehyde, a chemical that can damage DNA and prevent the body from repairing it. Since DNA controls cell function and growth, damaged DNA can cause cells to grow uncontrollably and develop tumors.

It has also been proven that taking a zinc supplement in the first few days of noticing cold symptoms can reduce the length of the common cold. If you need support in reducing your alcohol consumption, get in touch today and let us help you turn your life around. The symptoms of a COVID-19 infection are very similar to many cold and flu viruses. Examples of common viruses include the common cold, influenza, and pneumonia. Symptoms may also be mistaken for that of other respiratory illnesses such as tuberculosis or coeliac disease.

Alcohol and the microbiome

Alcohol makes people vomit, and it is very easy to accidentally inhale some of this vomit. When combined with a suppressed immune system, this can be the perfect storm for a bad case of pneumonia. Our mission is to provide the most cost-effective, accessible treatment for substance use disorder to as many patients as possible. We are committed to an integrated quality of care that is comprehensive, person-centered, and recovery-focused. We strive to exceed patient and community expectations in every life we touch. Monocytes exposed to a bacterial chemical suffered a double blow when inebriated.

After you have consumed alcohol, the body experiences a rush of hormones supposed to raise your immune system against infections and viruses. Being in this state https://ecosoberhouse.com/article/does-alcohol-weaken-our-immune-system/ leaves you more susceptible to infections and viral attacks, such as COVID-19. Alcohol may affect how you remember things, even when you’re not drinking.

Alcohol and Immune System Functions

In severe cases, hypoxia can be fatal, and alcohol can be a particularly dangerous substance due to the ethanol that is contained in all alcoholic drinks. Research shows that the combination of alcohol and ethanol can inflict a greater degree of damage to cells in persons experiencing hypoxia. Getting help for alcohol abuse is not easy, but it can be life-changing. With the proper treatment, individuals can gain the strength and tools necessary to break free from addiction and build a successful new life. If you or a loved one are struggling with alcohol abuse, it is important to get help as soon as possible. There is no time like the present to start taking control of your life and make positive changes in the pursuit of a healthier and happier lifestyle.

• According to the World Health Organization, alcohol brings both short-term and long-term effects on every part of the body, especially the immune system.
• If you’re struggling with alcohol abuse or have more questions about the impacts alcohol can have on your body, America’s Rehab Campuses is here to help.
• Getting help for alcohol abuse is not easy, but it can be life-changing.