Sudden Sensitvity to Alcohol

[dk462]

I am a 25 year old female and have always drank socially, (maybe two of three drinks in an outing once a week). Lately, even half a drink, be it wine, vodka, beer, any type of alcohol makes me very ill. Shortly after having a drink, I will have a severe upset stomach, often times resulting in nausea and having to use the restroom immediately. I will also on occassion, occassion have numbness and tingling in the hands.

These symptoms occurred very suddenly, I have not changed medication or eating habits. I do take medication for high blood pressure, but I am not over-weight and am otherwise in good health. I am also 1/4 Japanese, but I do not understand why if my body was unable to digest alcohol correctly, why I was able to consume it for several years, and suddenly become sick from it. I am miserable!

[dk462]

Thanks. I have never been a heavy drinker, so I am not suffering from withdrawl. I would maybe drink one or two time a week at most, but have never felt so ill after about half a drink.

[Pum]

I don't think you've been drinking enough to be having withdrawal symptoms. If you are getting those symptoms after even half a drink it sounds like you have developed an intolerance for alcohol or even an allergy. Sometimes allergies do just develop in someone who previously was fine. Do you get any breathing symptoms like nose or throat closing up, throat clearing, wheezing?

Time to take up some other reacreational activity. Or have a break from drinking then try again slowly.

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,

The symptoms that you are facing are due to alcohol intake.Moderate amount of alcohol i.e one drink per day in women do not cause any serious effects,but beyond that it can lead to many pathologies.

Women are more affected by alcohol and can become sick after 2-3 drinks.This is because women break down alcohol more slowly than men because there is a smaller amount of alcohol metabolizing enzyme (alcohol dehydrogenase) in the stomach of women. Because less enzyme is present, more alcohol passes through the stomach to the duodenum, the main alcohol-absorbing portion of the gut. This effect, combined with a different fat/lean body makeup between men and women, leads to higher blood alcohol levels (BACs) in women than men after identical alcoholic drinks
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/health/253257_condor26.html

Also by regular drinking,your liver is affected.It becomes less efficient at breaking down alcohol.Alcohol intake also causes stomach,heart,liver and kidney diseases.So pls abstain from it.If it seems impossible for abstainance,then drink moderately on a full stomach, and avoid becoming dehydrated. Food slows transport of the alcohol into the duodenum. The longer alcohol stays in the stomach, the less it can affect you during a party or the next day.

The feeling of numbness and tingling that you are having are called parasthesias. Parasthesias are common in alcoholics.

Pls abstain from alcohol as it may cause hepatitis or cirrhosis liver along with heart ailments.

Take care and rgds.

[irishjames19]

im not sure what it is that wrong with you but it deffinetly sounds like alcohol withdrawl im suffering with it myself at the moment i get what you get but with heart pains and dizzyness i just feel like ****. so iv decided to try giving up alcohol altogether. you shold research a little on alcohol withdrawl and see what you think. well hope i made you feal a little better :)
james