Avoiding alcohol is always the best option for those with alcohol intolerance, as the increased acetaldehyde levels increase your cancer risk. Avoiding alcohol also helps you to avoid the unpleasant symptoms that alcohol intolerance can create. There is no cure or treatment for alcohol intolerance unless it is due to medication use or a medical condition. For people who have alcohol intolerance due to a medication, stopping the medication will likely resolve the alcohol intolerance. If it is an inherited genetic condition, medical professionals are limited to providing ways to reduce the unpleasant symptoms of alcohol intolerance. Alcohol intolerance can be extremely frustrating to people who like to drink alcohol but can also affect those who do not.
Patients may be advised to avoid the type of drink or ingredient that may be triggering symptoms. The connection between differences in alcohol type and physiological effect is unclear, including whether it is the ethanol content itself or other compounds that are contained within various types of drinks, such as histamines and sulfites. More investigation is needed to understand the differences in response depending on the type of alcoholic beverage consumed, such as beer, hard liquor, or wine 34. There are reports that suggest that alcohol tolerance and susceptibility to alcohol-related diseases may differ among racial and ethnic groups 1-3,31,32. While research on post-COVID alcohol intolerance is still limited, anecdotal evidence suggests that it’s a symptom experienced by many people following the virus. Patients undergo a thorough evaluation process that includes a medical history review, physical examination, and laboratory workup.
Additionally, seeking medical advice from a healthcare professional with expertise in long COVID may be helpful in managing symptoms and improving overall quality of life. Recent studies have shown that long COVID, also known as post-COVID syndrome, can lead to a heightened sensitivity to alcohol. For some patients, even a small amount of alcohol can trigger symptoms such as headaches, nausea, and fatigue.
Post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 (PASC), also known as long COVID or post-acute COVID-19 syndrome, describes new or worsening symptoms that can last for months and even years following acute COVID infection 10. A subset of PASC has been compared to ME/CFS 12-15 due to the overlap in symptom presentation in patients with these syndromes. Mainstream media outlets have released articles 16-19 reporting on people developing a sensitivity to alcohol following a COVID infection, yet there is a paucity of medical literature to address this.
Early in the pandemic there were also significant concerns regarding use of corticosteroids for AH 41. Access to outpatient hepatology clinics and early alcohol treatment may have also been impacted, preventing early detection of decompensation and disease. They can offer personalized advice, rule out other potential causes, and monitor your overall recovery from COVID-19. Alcohol can potentially worsen existing long COVID symptoms such as fatigue, brain fog, and respiratory issues. The inflammatory nature of alcohol may contribute to prolonging the recovery process and intensifying the overall discomfort experienced by long COVID patients. The hospital, under Dr. Contreras’s guidance, has successfully treated thousands of patients, many of whom traveled from different parts of the world, seeking the unique and compassionate care the institution offers.
Pre-Covid, I was beginning to develop sensitivity to certain types of alcohol (mostly cheap wine and malt beverages like white claw) but never had an issue with any type of liquor or beer. Alcohol is a diuretic, meaning it increases urine production and can lead to dehydration. For long COVID patients who may already be struggling with proper hydration and electrolyte balance, alcohol consumption could further complicate these issues. It’s important to note that these symptoms can vary in intensity from person to person and may occur even after consuming small amounts of alcohol.
COVID-19 is a new disease, and much research is still being done on its long-term effects. While there is no evidence to suggest that the after-effects of COVID are likely to cause alcohol intolerance, new evidence may emerge as research continues. The best-known condition to cause alcohol intolerance is Hodgkin’s lymphoma; however, other conditions may also cause it.
Long COVID refers to persistent symptoms that occur more than three weeks after the initial COVID-19 infection. Vaccination is recommended for all adults in the United States, however there has been concern that immunocompromised individuals may not mount the same protective response to vaccination. Therefore, full-dose boosters have been recommended for solid-organ transplant recipients 53. COVID-19 can trigger a significant inflammatory response in the body, including the release of cytokines.
It warrants further study as it may also reveal further insights into pathophysiology and provide guidance for lifestyle management in clinical care. The early stress and isolation led to increased alcohol use and exacerbated already present AUD. The pandemic burdened healthcare delivery and treatment, which impacted access to AUD and ALD care. The continued rise in AUD and ALD disease burden portends a troubling rise in prevalence of end-stage liver disease. In the US, we need a united and collaborative effort to prevent harmful alcohol use and treat prevalent alcohol use disorder in patients with and without liver disease. The pandemic also appeared to have a profound impact on LT. Very early in the pandemic access to living donor transplantation was more limited, however this was mitigated fairly quickly 43.
Counseling and psychological support can help patients cope with the emotional toll of long COVID, such as anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder. Nutritional counseling and exercise programs aim to improve physical health and boost energy levels. Other complementary therapies, such as acupuncture, massage, and meditation, may also alleviate symptoms and promote relaxation. By seeking treatment at Oasis Medical Institute, patients can benefit from a comprehensive approach that addresses their unique needs and promotes overall well-being.
The patients highlighted in this report, despite varying demographics and health backgrounds, share a new-onset sensitivity to alcohol post-COVID-19 infection, triggering unprecedented symptoms at similar or lower alcohol consumption levels. Some experienced individual symptoms like headaches or a delayed emergence of symptoms resembling a typical “hangover,” while others experienced a general worsening of their PASC symptoms. The alcohol sensitivity that is observed and reported from post covid alcohol intolerance these patients generates interesting questions and hypotheses.
A weakened immune system may hinder the body’s ability to fully recover and fight off potential reinfections or other illnesses. This potential revelation, could help in diagnosing and potentially treating patients going forward. “Previous to the infection or previous to the disease, the intolerance was not present,” Dr. Vaughn said.