Overall, the effects of both acute and chronic alcohol exposure result in a weakened cell-mediated immune response. Several diseases are characterized by a reduction in the cell-mediated immunity and a concomitant increase in the humoral immunity. This shift in the immune response likely impairs the body’s defense against bacterial infections requiring a predominantly cell-mediated immune response, such as infections with M. Tuberculosis or Listeria monocytogenes, which are discussed in the section “Consequences of Alcohol’s Effects on the Immune System.” Alcohol’s effects on the antibody-producing B cells is discussed in more detail in the following section.
The clinical implications of such a transient immunodepression still need to be studied further. For certain types of infections (e.g., HIV and mycobacteria), however, the failure of an appropriate initial immune response to pathogens can have profound and potentially prolonged effects on the immune system and the drinker’s health. The relationship between alcohol use and susceptibility to infections with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), which causes acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS), is an actively evolving area of research.
World Health Organization Health Topics Alcohol
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. Alcohol’s immune system suppression can be particularly harmful to the lungs. The body fights off this infection by flooding the lungs with fluid containing immune cells. While necessary to fight the infection, the immune response can essentially cause someone to drown as they fight the infection. Alcohol also affects the cells that fight against infection and the inflammatory response.
Alcoholics also may be more susceptible to infections from the virus that causes AIDS. In addition, alcohol intoxication can exacerbate the immune suppression that occurs after traumatic injuries. The dendritic cell (DC), which plays a critical role in T cell activation and initiation of adaptive immune responses, is another innate immune cell affected by ethanol. DCs uptake antigens in peripheral tissues which leads to their maturation, and then travel to draining lymph nodes where they present them to T cells (Janeway 2008).
Treatment
“Anyone with chronic liver conditions should be avoiding alcohol, for example, people with hepatitis, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, liver inflammation, and any condition that could affect liver function would be a reason to avoid alcohol,” notes Favini. Certain medical conditions and other factors may increase the risk of interactions with Trelegy Ellipta. Before you take this drug, be sure to talk with your doctor about your health history. Trelegy Ellipta may not be the right treatment option if you have certain medical conditions or other factors affecting your health. Alcohol can also affect the upper respiratory system, impairing the function of immune cells in the lungs.
- Within the GI tract, alcohol exposure can also alter the number and abundance of microorganisms present within the microbiome, all of which play an important role in normal GI function.
- It can also lead to a wide range of health problems, including high blood pressure and heart disease, liver disease, and increased risk of cancer.
- “The all-or-nothing approach is never a good idea,” Seija says, because while some people can go cold turkey, it’s unrealistic to demand that everyone who drinks should quit forever.
- Heavy drinking can also cause problems well beyond the health of the drinker — it can damage important relationships.
- When alcohol damages the gastrointestinal tract’s barrier, bacteria and toxins can enter the bloodstream easily, potentially leading to septicemia and sepsis.
General Health
- Inflammation is the source of many serious conditions, but it’s actually your immune system’s way of healing your body after an injury or fighting an infection.
- You probably already know that excessive drinking can affect you in more ways than one.
- It can also bind to other proteins to form adducts, such as malondialdehyde (MDA) and MDA-acetaldehyde (MAA), which play a key role in the development of liver injury and stimulate antibody responses that further promote liver inflammation and fibrosis (Tuma and Casey 2003).
- If you’d like to reduce or quit drinking, there are innovative new options for support.
- “People shouldn’t wake up in the morning and say, ‘Let’s see, what disease am I trying to prevent today?
- Instead of swiftly recognizing and counteracting a known threat, our system stumbles, taking longer to rally its defenses.
Although you may experience some enjoyable effects from alcohol, you are likely aware of the potential harm over-consumption can do to your body. We have long heard about how alcohol can impair our motor skills, judgment, state of consciousness, and, of course, our liver. After you drink any kind of booze—vodka, wine, sake, you name it—enzymes in your body get to work metabolizing the alcohol (chemically known as ethanol) in your system. This condition occurs when bacteria enter the chest cavity’s pleural space, typically due to pneumonia or a post-surgery infection. A weakened immune system increases an individual’s chances of developing empyema. Alcohol use can cause respiratory complications such as pneumonia, empyema, respiratory syncytial virus, tuberculosis, lung abscess, and adult respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS).
Why Is There Mixed Messaging About Alcohol’s Effects on Health?
The immune system is a complicated group of cells and proteins that recognize invading bacteria or viruses and destroy these infections. Alcohol disrupts the immune system and makes people more likely to develop an infection. Preliminary research supports Dry January’s benefits, from helping reduce people’s blood pressure, weight and insulin resistance to prompting them to reconsider their long-term relationship with alcohol.
Heavy drinking triggers a cascade of inflammation that damages healthy tissue over time. The effect of beer on the immune system may not be as significant as the effect of stronger alcoholic beverages, but it’s important to remember that beer and wine can cause adverse health effects and even suppress the body’s immune response in excessive amounts. A urinary tract infection is an infection in the urethra, bladder, or kidneys. Alcohol does not directly cause UTIs, but it can increase sober house a person’s risk of developing a UTI and worsen the symptoms of an existing UTI.
By purchasing a subscription you are helping to ensure the future of impactful stories about the discoveries and ideas shaping our world today. Get helpful tips and guidance for everything from fighting inflammation to finding the best diets for weight loss…from exercises to build a stronger core to advice on treating cataracts. https://yourhealthmagazine.net/article/addiction/sober-houses-rules-that-you-should-follow/ PLUS, the latest news on medical advances and breakthroughs from Harvard Medical School experts. Alcohol has long been considered a “social lubricant” because drinking may encourage social interaction. Having a drink while getting together with family or friends is often part of many special occasions.
Consequences of Alcohol’s Effects on the Immune System
Similarly, alcohol can trigger inflammation in the gut and destroy the microorganisms that live in the intestine and maintain immune system health. When someone is exposed to a virus, the body mounts an immune response to attack and kill the foreign pathogen. Alcohol addiction can occur slowly and incrementally, making it difficult for someone to realize they have it.
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