Could a lingering virus be the unsuspecting cause of alcohol intolerance and hangovers? Let’s take a closer look at the science that may help explain this phenomenon. With research still being conducted on the long-term effects of COVID-19, and post-acute COVID-19, it’s unclear whether the virus can cause alcohol intolerance. Long COVID (formally known as post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2) is a group of symptoms experienced after acute viral infection with COVID-19. Symptoms and their severity vary widely, and they can last anywhere from a few months to over a year.
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Long COVID is still being studied, but what is conclusive is that drinking alcohol will do more harm than good. MINNEAPOLIS — Long after getting infected with coronavirus, some people are having new reactions to alcohol, according to a recent study. “Women should have no more than 1 drink per day and men no more than 2 drinks per day,” the medical school said. “One drink is defined as 12 fluid ounces (360 milliliters) of beer that has about 5% alcohol, 5 fluid ounces (150 milliliters) of wine that has about 12% alcohol, or 1½ fluid ounces (45 milliliters) of 80-proof liquor.” The 60-year-old man told researchers that after recovering from acute COVID-19, he now gets headaches when he consumes the same amount of alcohol he drank before the infection. If you or a loved one with post-acute COVID-19 is facing a drinking problem, call our helpline to find the best available treatment options today.
A horrible hangover, hives, and facial flushing — all symptoms of alcohol intolerance — serve as a big red warning sign that something is wrong. Intolerance and adverse reactions to alcohol do sometimes occur in people who have other medical conditions – for example pain after drinking alcohol can be an important early warning symptom of a serious condition called Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. The three women involved in the study reported having more frequent headaches, flushing, grogginess and “overwhelming” fatigue after having drinks. The 40-year-old woman said drinking even small amounts of alcohol makes her feel as if she has “alcohol poisoning.” The 49-year-old woman told researchers a glass of wine made her feel as if she couldn’t move. Alcohol sensitivity is also emerging as a possible symptom of long COVID, but very little medical research has looked into the phenomenon.
- The patient reported one instance, post-COVID infection, during which she had one glass of wine and had such a bad reaction that she felt she could not move.
- This review looks at alcohol-related policies during the COVID-19 pandemic across all 50 states and the District of Columbia.
- The 2004 study supported the anecdotal belief that people with the condition reduced or ceased alcohol intake.
- Even though we’re supposedly past “peak COVID” years, alcohol-related deaths are on an upward trajectory.
- If you’re ready to enter treatment and stop drinking, you’ll likely have to wait until your COVID-19 infection is no longer transmissible before you enter a detox program.
This reduced flow is thought to decrease blood circulation in and around the brain, Koralnik said, which might “poison” tiny organelles called mitochondria that convert oxygen into energy. Covid is unique because it seems more likely to cause chronic illness than other pathogens, Brode said. NIAAA Director, Dr. George Koob, discusses what we know about how alcohol affects our immune and stress systems, along with issues related to treatment access during the pandemic.
This may be because alcohol use can weaken your immune system, making you more prone to infectious diseases. Research is still in its early stages regarding the causes of symptoms of long COVID, but alcohol has been studied for a long time and has conclusively negative health effects. If you choose to drink, the guidelines for moderate drinking will help you navigate a healthy relationship with alcohol.
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It’s a hallmark symptom of POTS (postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome), which about 2% to 14% of people who test positive for COVID end up developing. That’s all to say that an injured liver — or an undiagnosed liver disease, which Rachakonda says is very common because most cases are symptomless — likely won’t process alcohol as it should. It’s possible that people who cannot tolerate alcohol after COVID may have covid alcohol intolerance sustained an acute liver injury from their infection or have an undiagnosed liver condition.
The study’s authors acknowledged further studies would be needed to cement their hypotheses as a “definitive causal link between (long COVID) and alcohol sensitivity cannot be established based on a limited case series.” Early on in the pandemic, many people with mental health and substance use disorders were either cut off from treatment, or faced barriers to health care. Rates of relapse among those in recovery from alcohol use disorder have also reportedly increased – due to similar risk factors, as well as challenges accessing treatment. Increased loneliness, isolation, stress, and other common risk factors for alcohol abuse have led some to heavy drinking as a form of self-medication. This condition, also known as a “long hauler” or post-acute COVID-19 syndrome, may be identified by certain physical and mental symptoms. It’s safe to say an intolerance to alcohol isn’t the worst of COVID or long COVID symptoms, but it can take away the “happy” in happy hour and generally impact your social life (if it revolves around alcohol at all).
Public Health Impacts of Long COVID, Alcohol, and Their Link
The recent developments linking long COVID and alcohol intolerance don’t only serve as additional clarity on the condition. They also present a wake-up call for those of us who have had COVID in the past (or not) to be mindful of our drinking habits. At the Minneapolis-based clinic, only a few long COVID patients have brought up concerns about alcohol intolerance.
- Current treatment for this condition typically includes a combination of lifestyle adjustments, supportive therapies and, in some cases, medical care.
- At the time (June) in New Orleans, he did not meet the criteria to be tested, and he did not have any further signs of infection.
- Katie Camero is a health reporter based in New York covering a range of topics, including infectious disease, nutrition, disability, mental health, relationships and more.
- The liver processes everything we consume, including alcohol, so when the organ is injured or weakened in any way, it becomes vulnerable to further injury when exposed to toxins, like alcohol, Komaroff said.
- Since the World Health Organization characterized Covid as a pandemic on March 11, 2020, scientists don’t fully understand why some people develop disabling chronic conditions after the initial viral infection.
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“It is not clear whether these alcohol reactions represent decreased tolerance threshold for alcohol, immune-mediated alcohol allergy to components in the alcohol drink, toxicity effects, or other sensitivity mechanisms,” the study says. Other potential mechanisms include disruption of the gut microbiome, which has been reported in long COVID and can also be caused by alcohol. This disruption could affect alcohol absorption and trigger inflammation in the liver, brain and elsewhere.
Before she came down with COVID in March 2020, Rebekah Stein was able to enjoy a handful of alcoholic drinks a week. She assumed nothing had changed after her mild infection, so when she saw her husband holding an enticing glass of whiskey one night, she took a tiny sip. This leads to inflammation and immune dysfunction – often referred to as the ‘cell danger response’. However, in the case of long COVID, the response remains active even after the infection has cleared. Other research suggests promising biomarkers might exist in the gut and immune system, but Brode noted that these early findings are based on small groups of people and should be considered with a grain of salt.
Two-thirds of those in the study reduced alcohol intake because it increased symptoms, and one-third ceased because ‘it seemed sensible’. The 2023 study indicated that people with ME/CFS were more likely to experience alcohol intolerance, and that those with this symptom experienced more symptoms overall. In ME/CFS and Long Covid we know that alcohol intolerance can be an issue for some people, that it is regarded as an additional diagnostic symptom in ME/CFS, and that alcohol consumption can cause an exacerbation of other symptoms. Other people refrain from drinking alcohol because they are too unwell and feel it is sensible or have chosen to abstain from alcohol completely.
Although it might feel like it, alcohol intolerance doesn’t make people get drunk faster, and it doesn’t increase blood alcohol levels. The condition is also different from an alcohol allergy, which is an immune response to a chemical, grain, or preservative in alcohol that can cause rashes, itchiness, swelling, and stomach cramps. Alcohol intolerance can happen even to those who aren’t experiencing long COVID, may disappear or become less severe with time, and can be triggered by specific types of alcohol but not others. Although inconvenient, not being able to drink alcohol isn’t the most earth-shattering of symptoms compared with more serious effects. Alcohol can impact our health and increase the risk of developing COVID and long COVID. Recent research also shows that long COVID may be linked to the development of alcohol intolerance and exacerbated hangovers.
Long COVID symptoms can be ongoing or intermittent and can go on for weeks, months, or years. The good news is that you can avoid alcohol intolerance by avoiding booze altogether. You’ll also want to avoid drinking alcohol when taking certain medications, as some drugs can worsen symptoms of alcohol intolerance. Taking antihistamine medication is another no-go because it may hide some symptoms and lead you to drink more.
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It triggers a PEM type response – or it feels more like a hangover, but only 30 minutes after consuming. If I do I get terrible stomach cramps and would feel nauseated or would be sick. From my experience, I have found that my ability to tolerate alcohol has decreased quite considerably. I was never a big drinker, but around the time of being diagnosed with ME/CFS I found that the smallest amount of alcohol impacted my ability to use my legs and since then I have really abstained from it. As ME/CFS does not normally affect liver function, where alcohol is metabolised/broken down, it is unlikely that the problem lies there.
The patient reported a mild to moderate acute COVID infection that was managed outpatient with supportive care. Prior to his initial COVID infection, the patient reported consuming alcohol twice a month with no issue or reactions. The same amount of alcohol consumption post-COVID-19 now leads to headaches.
Researchers at the University of British Columbia, for example, are looking into low-dose naltrexone — a medication approved for opioid and alcohol use disorder. The drug is thought to have anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving properties, and is used off-label in people with fibromyalgia and ME/CFS, so it carries potential as a long Covid treatment, Brode said. Other lingering symptoms of COVID can include fatigue, rapid heart rate, depression, anxiety and joint pain.