Alcohol and Swelling: Does Alcohol Cause Inflammation?

What Is Inflammation? 

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

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.

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.

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.

Various researchers believe long-lasting inflammation is the root of many chronic illnesses. However, the question remains of how to treat it. The most effective way to work on the factors in an individual’s control is through managing alcohol consumption. 

How to Reduce Alcohol and Swelling 

The most effective way to reduce inflammation is to reduce how much alcohol is consumed or quit. If an individual continues drinking, one of the most encouraging acts is to ensure hydration. Alcohol has been known to dehydrate individuals, and dehydration can worsen inflammation. 

It is encouraged to drink plenty of water and electrolytes before, during, and even after safely consuming an acceptable amount of alcohol. This is to combat the inflammatory effects of alcohol. Likewise, it’s a great idea to avoid sugary alcoholic drinks since sugar is also known to cause inflammation. 

It’s also suggested to engage in anti-inflammatory foods such as the following:

• Leafy green vegetables
• Strawberries 
• Blueberries
• Oranges 
• Cherries
• Fatty fish 
• Tomatoes 
• Olive oil 
• Nuts

More ways to fight inflammation are:

• Limiting stress through mindfulness and relaxation techniques
• Incorporate exercising daily for a minimum of 20 minutes
• Receiving an adequate amount of sleep at night
• Maintaining a healthy weight

Even though many inflammation effects cannot be reversed, an individual’s body has plenty of tricks to excel, including a class of pro-resolving mediators, also known as regenerative molecules. Overall, this assists in the process of repairing the damage that was caused by inflammation. Furthermore, the sooner an individual decides to make the necessary and healthy lifestyle changes, the sooner the body will begin working to rejuvenate, repair, and restore itself. 

Do Some Types of Alcohol Cause More Inflammation Than Others? 

If you are wondering if a specific type of alcohol causes more inflammation than the other, all the alcohol types cause inflammation in the body. The alcohol that causes the least amount of inflammation is wine. Furthermore, for example, a review of 53 studies discovered that beer and hard liquor consumption was remarkably related to the overall risk of gout.

For the example provided above, wine was considered less common among the patients with the condition mentioned above of gout. Much has been discovered about some anti-inflammatory properties such as polyphenols like resveratrol, which is found in wine. Resveratrol might inhibit the inflammatory factors that ultimately trigger heart disease.

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.