Can the Use of Alcohol Affect the Immune System?

你的免疫系统有两大类型的防御:innate (first-line) and acquired (adaptive) immunity.

Chronic drinkers are predisposed to a wide range of health problems, including infections and systemic inflammation, due to alcohol's combined impact on both innate and adaptive immunity.

Research has found that alcohol interferes with immunological pathways. These abnormalities can hinder the body's ability to naturally defend against infection, along with organ damage impaired tissue healing.

Your gastrointestinal system or gut is immediately affected by alcohol consumption. Your gut houses good bacteria required for the immune system to function properly. However, excessive alcohol consumption can cause the gut to lose these microbes, thereby compromising or suppressing the immune system.

According to the National Institute onAlcoholismandAlcohol Abuse,即使一天饮用或一个喝can suppress the immune system for the next 24 hours.

Short-term effects

• Sleepiness
• Mood changes
• Reduced inhibition
• Slowed or slurred speech
• Changes inhearing, vision, and perception
• Difficulty focusing or making decisions
• Loss of awareness or memory lapses (blackouts)
• Balance problems
• Increased risk of accidents
• Vomitingandnausea
• Dehydration
• Rupture of the blood vessels in theesophaguscausescoughingorvomiting blood, which usually occurs due to binge drinking

Long-term effects

• Emotional disturbances andmood swings
• Excessiveanxiety, worry, and irritability
• Insomniaand othersleep problems(which can also lead to a weakened immune system)
• Libido and sexual function changes
• Problems with memory, concentration, focus
• Changes in appetite and weight
• Problems with memory and concentration
• Difficulty maintaining relationships
• Increased risk ofliverdisorders, kidney disorders,diabetes
• Gastrointestinal problems,acid reflux, chronicdiarrhea, and other digestive issues
• Increased risk ofheart diseaseand lung infection
• Increased risk ofcancer
• Decreased bone and muscle health
• Decreased skin health
• Increased risk ofmental healthdisorders, such as severedepression(includingsuicidaltendencies)

Long-term alcohol consumption greatly raises the chance of infection, even causing diseases that a healthy person would not typically be susceptible to. Chronic drinker are at greater risk of:

• Infections such asCOVID-19andUTIs
• Acute respiratory distress syndrome
• Alcoholicliver disease
• Complications post surgery
• Slow recovery from illness