COVID-19: what effects for alcohol drinking?
There are claims that drinking alcohol can help protect people from SARS-CoV-2,that is the corona virus that causes COVID-19. This is unlikely.
According to the European World Health Organization (WHO), alcohol cannot protect against infection or illness relating to COVID-19. In fact, it is possible that alcohol consumption may increase the probability of developing severe illness as a result of COVID-19.
This article will discuss the myths and facts around alcohol use and COVID-19. It will also explain how alcohol consumption affects mental health and discuss some means to treat the symptoms of depression and anxiety.
Myths vs. facts
There are a variety of myths regarding alcohol consumption and SARS-CoV-2.
The following sections needs to outline these in more detail and provide the facts.
Myth1: Consuming alcohol can destroy the novel virus.
Fact1: Consuming alcohol does not help to destroy SARS-CoV-2.
Myth2: it is possible for high concentrations of alcohol, such as 60-90%, to kill some forms of bacteria and viruses; but, alcohol kills viruses on the skin.
Fact2:Drinking alcohol cannot lower the chance of acquiring SARS-CoV-2 or developing acute illness from COVID-19.
Myth3 :Consuming alcohol stimulates the immune system
Fact3: Alcohol can have a negative effect on the immune system.
According to the European WHO, alcohol plays no role in helping the immune system to fight a viral infection. This is true for any concentration of alcohol.
It is possible that excessive alcohol intake may even harm the immune system.
Myth4: Alcohol on the breath can kill the virus in the air
Alcohol cannot disinfect the mouth or provide protection.
Fact4: Alcohol on the breath cannot provide protection from the virus in the air. Drinking alcohol cannot lower the risk of infection.
Alcohol And Immune System
Alcohol has a negative effect on the immune system.
It can also increase the risk of certain infectious diseases, like pneumonia and tuberculosis
According to a 2015 article in the journal Alcohol research, alcohol can prevent immune cells from working properly. This reduces the capabability of the immune system to fight infections. It can also lead to information, further weakening the immune system.
People who develop a severe illness from COVID-19 are at risk of developing acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). This happens when fluid fills up air sacs in the lungs, affecting hoxygene supply to the body. The consequences of this may be life threatening.
According to a study in JAMA Internal Medicine, out of 201 people with COVID-19-induced pneumonia, 41.7% developed ARDS.
Alcohol also increases the propability of developing ARDS.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, people experience higher levels of stress, depression, and anxiety. This may lead to some people consuming
more alcohol than they usually would.
In order to work as usual, the brain needs to maintain the balance of neurotransmitters. Alcohol may disrupt this balance.
Excessive alcohol drinking can lead to or worsen existing mental health problems.
For example, according to a 2015 review, alcohol may induce depression.
Alcohol use can also increase anxiety symptoms over time. Around 20% of people with a social anxiety disorder experience same alcohol use disorder.
Other ways of coping
Although many people turn to alcohol, there are many other ways of coping with feelings of depression and anxiety.
Some psychotherapy can assist using different methods to help some persons understand and change their patterns of thinking and behavior.
There are also a variety of medications available for depression and anxiety which can help treat the symptoms of depression in some people. These very often take 2-4 weeks to begin working.
Doctors may prescribe other types of medications to treat anxiety. For example, beta-blocker may help control the physical responses to anxiety, such as increased heart rate.
Making other lifestyle changes could also help. For example, having regular exercise and practicing stress reduction techniques can help reduce symptoms. It is also important to prevent feelings of isolation by reaching out to friends and family .
How Alcohol Affects
Mixing alcohol with some medications can cause or worsen some symptoms, such as:
nausea
vomiting
headaches
drowsiness
dizziness and lightheadedness
fainting
loss of coordination
These symptoms can manifest when mixing alcohol with many common over-the-counter pain relievers, as well as some cold and allergy medications.
Always check the label on medications for possible interactions with alcohol.
Alcohol can also prevent some medications from working adequately. For example, it can slow or prevent some antibiotics from acing effectively.
In more serious cases, mixing alcohol with medications can lead to internal bleeding and organ problems. For example, alcohol can mix with ibuprofen or acetaminophen to cause abdominal problems and liver damage.
Alcohol cannot provide any protection from SARS-CoV-2. It cannot reduce the risk of infection or the development of severe illness related to COVID-19.
In fact, it is possible that excessive alcohol consumption may increase the risk of developing COVID-19-induced illness, as this can weaken the immune system.
Alcohol use might also cause or worsen certain mental health conditions during the pandemic.
It can also interact with different common medications, such as ibuprofen, to cause more symptoms.
Should people continue to rely on alcohol drinking in fighting corona virus?
According to the European WHO, alcohol plays no role in helping the immune system to fight a viral infection. This is true for any concentration of alcohol.
It is possible that excessive alcohol intake may even harm the immune system.
Myth4: Alcohol on the breath can kill the virus in the air
Alcohol cannot disinfect the mouth or provide protection.
Fact4: Alcohol on the breath cannot provide protection from the virus in the air. Drinking alcohol cannot lower the risk of infection.
Alcohol And Immune System
Alcohol has a negative effect on the immune system.
It can also increase the risk of certain infectious diseases, like pneumonia and tuberculosis
According to a 2015 article in the journal Alcohol research, alcohol can prevent immune cells from working properly. This reduces the capabability of the immune system to fight infections. It can also lead to information, further weakening the immune system.
People who develop a severe illness from COVID-19 are at risk of developing acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). This happens when fluid fills up air sacs in the lungs, affecting hoxygene supply to the body. The consequences of this may be life threatening.
According to a study in JAMA Internal Medicine, out of 201 people with COVID-19-induced pneumonia, 41.7% developed ARDS.
Alcohol also increases the propability of developing ARDS.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, people experience higher levels of stress, depression, and anxiety. This may lead to some people consuming
more alcohol than they usually would.
In order to work as usual, the brain needs to maintain the balance of neurotransmitters. Alcohol may disrupt this balance.
Excessive alcohol drinking can lead to or worsen existing mental health problems.
For example, according to a 2015 review, alcohol may induce depression.
Alcohol use can also increase anxiety symptoms over time. Around 20% of people with a social anxiety disorder experience same alcohol use disorder.
Other ways of coping
Although many people turn to alcohol, there are many other ways of coping with feelings of depression and anxiety.
Some psychotherapy can assist using different methods to help some persons understand and change their patterns of thinking and behavior.
There are also a variety of medications available for depression and anxiety which can help treat the symptoms of depression in some people. These very often take 2-4 weeks to begin working.
Doctors may prescribe other types of medications to treat anxiety. For example, beta-blocker may help control the physical responses to anxiety, such as increased heart rate.
Making other lifestyle changes could also help. For example, having regular exercise and practicing stress reduction techniques can help reduce symptoms. It is also important to prevent feelings of isolation by reaching out to friends and family .
How Alcohol Affects
Mixing alcohol with some medications can cause or worsen some symptoms, such as:
nausea
vomiting
headaches
drowsiness
dizziness and lightheadedness
fainting
loss of coordination
These symptoms can manifest when mixing alcohol with many common over-the-counter pain relievers, as well as some cold and allergy medications.
Always check the label on medications for possible interactions with alcohol.
Alcohol can also prevent some medications from working adequately. For example, it can slow or prevent some antibiotics from acing effectively.
In more serious cases, mixing alcohol with medications can lead to internal bleeding and organ problems. For example, alcohol can mix with ibuprofen or acetaminophen to cause abdominal problems and liver damage.
Alcohol cannot provide any protection from SARS-CoV-2. It cannot reduce the risk of infection or the development of severe illness related to COVID-19.
In fact, it is possible that excessive alcohol consumption may increase the risk of developing COVID-19-induced illness, as this can weaken the immune system.
Alcohol use might also cause or worsen certain mental health conditions during the pandemic.
It can also interact with different common medications, such as ibuprofen, to cause more symptoms.
Should people continue to rely on alcohol drinking in fighting corona virus?
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