For those who experience chronic joint pain, you might need to think twice about alcohol. Discover the surprising link between alcohol and joint pain.
An estimated 70 million people within the US struggle with a type of chronic pain. Moreover, over 20 million adults are diagnosed with osteoarthritis, also often known as degenerative joint disease, and probably the most common sources of joint pain. Joint pain is a each day reality for thousands and thousands of individuals, and in some ways, has turn into an accepted a part of aging.
Nonetheless, age is only one small a part of the larger picture. There are lifestyle aspects and concurrent health conditions that may exacerbate cases of joint pain, complicate the treatment of conditions like arthritis, and negatively impact your quality of life.
One in every of the more well-known and researched risk aspects is alcohol consumption. Yes, there have been studies linking moderate alcohol consumption to improved heart health and reduced risk of joint pain, especially rheumatic joint pain. But these studies are controversial, to say the least, and increasingly data is pointing to the conclusion that alcohol’s health advantages are miniscule, if in any respect statistically relevant. Alcohol’s negative impact on health, then again, is a lot better established in current literature.
But does drinking affect joint pain as well? And to what degree? How much are you able to drink without risking your joint health, or exacerbating a chronic health condition?
How Alcohol Contributes to Joint Pain
Alcohol is taken into account a psychoactive substance, meaning it affects the brain. To be more exact, alcohol (or ethanol) is a central nervous system depressant, i.e., a really, very mild tranquilizer or sedative. The immediate impact alcohol has on the brain causes alcohol intoxication, which is what being drunk means: slurred speech, slowed reactions, lowered inhibition, and coordination problems. Excessive alcohol use could cause nausea, vomiting, and memory loss – this is known as alcohol poisoning. At higher levels, this will cause death.
Most individuals don’t drink lethal doses of alcohol. But even moderate consumption can take its toll over time. Alcohol negatively impacts the center, liver, kidneys, pancreas, throat, gut, lungs, and bones, and is related to cancers of the liver, colon, breast, oral cavity, and rectum.
There’s little evidence directly linking alcohol to worsening symptoms of arthritis, or other types of joint pain. But what we do know is that alcohol could be linked to other health conditions that make joint pain worse or affect your body’s resilience against pain perception.
- First, peripheral nerve damage. Continued alcohol consumption could cause alcohol-related neuralgia or nerve pain. It is because of the effect of high BAC (blood alcohol content) on the protective sheathing of your individual nerve cells. Signs of alcoholic neuropathy normally begin within the extremities, corresponding to the hands, feet, and joints.
- Second, alcohol consumption can negatively impact chronic health conditions corresponding to arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and gout, resulting from alcohol’s interactions with common rheumatoid medications (including DMARDs and antimetabolites) and alcohol’s effects on the body’s concentrations of uric acid (increasing symptoms of gout). Using arthritis medication and alcohol can sometimes result in stomach ulcers and liver damage.
- Third, alcohol consumption can negatively impact the gut’s ability to soak up and process crucial nutrients, along with the danger of colorectal cancer. An increasing number of research lends credence to the speculation that weight loss plan plays a crucial role in joint disease management, each through weight control and reducing inflammation through micronutrients. Alcohol consumption can kneecap a healthy weight loss plan’s potential to assist manage the symptoms of arthritis.
- Fourth, certain alcohols usually tend to trigger gout-related joint pain or cause an inflammatory response. Grain-based alcohols like beer contain gluten, while distilled liquors and wine are wealthy in purines.
- Fifth, alcohol is a diuretic. The more you drink, the quicker and stronger its effects in your endocrine system, leading to a rise in dehydration. Dehydration is usually unpleasant, however it comes with the added side effect of worsening joint pain resulting from a loss in body fluids leading to lower joint lubrication.
For some individuals with arthritis or other types of chronic joint pain, drinking alcohol could also be a no-go resulting from its interference or compounded effect with medications, or its effects on the disease itself (within the case of gout). In other cases, drinking alcohol might indirectly affect your joints, but could impact your long-term joint health resulting from nerve damage, poorer gut health, or bone density and dehydration.
Tackling the Effects of Alcohol Consumption
For those who find that your pain is getting worse after a drinking session, or that your drinking could also be affecting your symptoms, then consider a plan of motion to quit drinking for some time. Discuss your options with a physician – in case your treatment is for an acute flareup, then you might find a way to proceed drinking moderately after you will have concluded your treatment. Alternatively, when you are having trouble quitting, your doctor may find a way to refer you to a specialist for withdrawal symptoms and substance use management.
Greater than just quitting, taking a proactive approach towards improving your weight loss plan and intake might help reduce flare-ups and higher manage your pain symptoms.
Key anti-inflammatory foods like ginger, turmeric, oily fish, and nuts might help combat arthritis, along with a well-balanced weight loss plan and movement. Consider replacing sugary drinks with water or other refreshments, and cut down in your overall intake of sugar and processed foods. Keep track of your each day water intake to maintain your joints lubricated.
Movement might help, as well. Studies show that exercise can reduce cravings for alcohol and even sugar while helping you improve each your circulation and strength. Consider exercises that feel manageable, and don’t cause pain – long walks as an alternative of jogging, water aerobics, or stationary biking, for instance. Strength training, corresponding to lifting weights, also can help combat osteoarthritis and improve bone density.
Cutting down on alcohol is a positive step towards improving your health and will play a job in reducing the impact of arthritis in your life. With dedication and support, you’ll be able to successfully quit drinking and experience a big return in quality of life.
