- Home
- Addiction Treatment
- Alcohol and Swelling: Does Alcohol Cause Inflammation?
Alcohol and Swelling: Does Alcohol Cause Inflammation?
The relationship between alcohol consumption and its effects on the body has been a topic of extensive research and discussion over the years. One area of interest is the potential link between alcohol and inflammation. While many enjoy an occasional drink without giving it much thought, it’s worth exploring the question: Does alcohol contribute to swelling and heightened inflammatory responses in the body?
Inflammation is considered a normal function of an individual’s body, or the immune system’s first reaction to a recognized danger. However, once inflammation happens too often, it represents a dignified health threat. Numerous lifestyle choices can increase an individual’s overall risk of chronic systemic inflammation.
These include a diet that is high in sugar, excessive alcohol consumption, and trans fat. As time goes on, large quantities of alcohol can alter a person’s lining of their colon and intestines. Once an individual’s immune system institutes inflammation, it sends off inflammatory cells to the specific part of the body where it senses a problem.
Therefore, soon after antibodies and proteins travel to that same area as well, and the overall level of blood flow to the region increases. This specific process can take hours, or in particular cases of inflammation, even days. Sometimes, the inflammation comes with external symptoms such as the following:
- Redness
- Swelling
- Rashes
- Pain
The Effects of Chronic Inflammation
When an individual has chronic inflammation, their body is in a continual state of high alert. Under this amount of pressure, organs and arteries can further break down and lead to the development of diseases. Overall, these effects are wide-ranging and might include:
- Chron’s disease
- Periodontitis
- Asthma
- Hepatitis
- Sinusitis
- Arthritis
- Ulcers
In the end, more serious conditions can occur such as heart disease, cancer, and diabetes. When there are inflammatory cells anywhere in an individual’s body, the rest of the immune system can be affected. In layman’s terms, this means the gut inflammation caused by long-term and excessive alcohol consumption can cause or promote inflammation throughout the body. To answer the question, ‘Does alcohol cause inflammation?’ The answer is yes. There is a direct link between alcohol and inflammation.
What Is the Relationship Between Alcohol and Inflammation?
There is a direct relationship between alcohol and inflammation. Over time as an individual engages in large quantities and amounts of alcohol, the lining of the colon and intestines will be altered. As a consequence, they became less capable of containing bacteria.
Therefore, some of the bacteria that live in these organs, a portion that can become toxic, can end up seeping into the bloodstream and traveling throughout the body. Even though these microbes aren’t necessarily harmful, the immune system will still view them as a threat. For that reason, it’s more likely to induce inflammation regularly.
Evidence-based and quality treatment programs
How Does Alcohol Contribute to Chronic Inflammation?
When an individual engages in heavy drinking consumption over a long period can create numerous changes in an individual’s body that could lead to intestinal inflammation. Gradually, over this extended period, the inflammation can cause organ dysfunction throughout a person’s body, especially in the brain and liver.
Intestinal Permeability
When an individual engages in excessive alcohol consumption, it can cause this barrier to become permeable or “leaky.” Consequently, a person’s bloodstream bodyguard starts to become ineffective. Furthermore, this means that the toxins and bacteria they create can now invade the bloodstream, leaving the gut and now spreading to other organs.
If an individual has an alcohol use disorder (AUD), their intestines can sometimes become permeable enough to allow the overall passage of endotoxins, also known as large macromolecules. As previously mentioned, endotoxins can assist in promoting inflammation. Consequently, not only does alcohol increase endotoxins production in an individual’s gut, but it also decreases the overall strength of the person’s intestinal barrier which might block them.
This process will allow the endotoxins and the resulting inflammation to then spread throughout an individual’s body through the bloodstream. So if you’re still wondering, “Does alcohol cause inflammation?” The answer is yes.
The alcohol and swelling can seriously affect all parts of an individual’s body. Alcohol is a crucial risk factor for gout, a painful and common form of inflammatory arthritis. This can also trigger flare-ups in people who are living with gout.
Inhibited Immune Response
Also, alcohol suppresses a variation of other cells and molecules vital to immune response. In addition, alcohol can harm a person’s general organ functions and interactions. In healthier individuals, the interactions play a big role in reducing the damaging effects of endotoxins.
For example, an individual’s liver detoxifies the above-mentioned substances while the central nervous system continues to contribute to anti-inflammatory regulation. Therefore, engaging in heavy consumption of drinking seems to compromise a person’s immune system and the support their organs give. As a consequence, not only can alcohol create issues in an individual’s body, but it can also limit an individual’s body’s ability to correct them.
Dysbiosis
One result of the above-mentioned process is an increase in chemicals called endotoxins. The endotoxins activate the immune cells and proteins that promote inflammation. So, as shown throughout the article, alcohol and inflammation have a powerful relationship.
How Excessive Drinking Impairs an Individual’s Health
- Weakens the individual’s intestinal barrier, therefore allowing detrimental endotoxins and bacteria in the gut, which promotes inflammation
- Inhibits an individual’s body’s immune response by suppressing key cells and molecules, and damaging the interactions and functions of principal organs
- Increases the production of harmful endotoxins and bacteria to pass from the individual’s gut into their gut, therefore promoting inflammation
Together, the above-mentioned effects lead to chronic inflammation, which ultimately can cause organ disease and damage. Furthermore, alcohol-induced gut inflammation is linked to the following:
- Inflammatory bowel disease
- Inflammation of the brain
- Gastrointestinal cancers
- Liver disease, and more
Overall, the inflammation of the gut might even influence various psychological aspects of alcohol addiction. These might include the following:
- Poor selective attention
- Alcohol cravings
- Depression
- Anxiety
Beat Your Alcohol Addiction Today at Achieve Wellness
As stated, alcohol and inflammation and alcohol and swelling share a dynamic relationship. Alcohol can worsen a person’s inflammation, and cause swelling, and various other problems. We understand combating any disease is difficult, but it’s not impossible. Contact us today.
Medically Reviewed By
Nicole Rettino-Lambert LCSW, LCADC, CCS, CCTP, CSTIP
Nicole Rettino-Lambert is a dually licensed clinician with over 20 years of experience working with children, adolescents, and adults in both addiction treatment and mental health treatment. Along with extensive experience in clinical work, she has held leadership roles in both inpatient and outpatient addiction treatments centers in New Jersey. Throughout her various leadership positions, Rettino-Lambert has developed clinical programming, assisted staff in their growth and development in the clinical field, and had the privilege of helping numerous individuals on their path to recovery.
Begin The Journey To Lasting Recovery
"*" indicates required fields
Call 24 Hours: (833) 680-0142
