Heavy alcohol consumption can negatively affect COPD by worsening lung function, causing allergic reactions and creating difficulty breathing during sleep.
If you or a loved one is diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), you may wonder if you can have alcohol.Drinking too much alcoholcan negatively affect people with COPD.
People who have COPD would benefit from speaking with a medical professional about their alcohol consumption to ensure they are not jeopardizing their health.Alcohol treatmentmay be necessary forpeople who drink heavilyand are unable to stop on their own.
Effects of Drinking Alcohol With COPD
Alcohol affects every function and system of the body, regardless of whether a person has COPD. However, alcohol use (especially drinking in excess) can exacerbate COPD symptoms and can affect:
- Lung health
- Sleep quality
- Allergic reactions
People with COPD may be able to safely consume small quantities of alcohol. Someresearchshows that people who drink alcohol in moderation are less likely to develop COPD or COPD symptoms than people who do not drink alcohol.
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While small quantities of alcohol may be safe, heavy drinking can make COPD symptoms worse.One studyfound that among COPD patients who were discharged from the hospital, those who struggled with alcoholism were more likely to require readmission to the hospital within 30 days.Alcohol abusecould exacerbate COPD symptoms to the point that hospitalization is necessary.
How Alcohol Abuse Affects Lung Health in COPD
Drinking high quantities of alcohol can harm healthylung functioningand thereby worsen COPD. Over time, drinking too much alcohol can weaken the lungs’ ability to clear themselves of mucus. This issue can lead to breathing problems and symptom exacerbation in people with COPD.
Alcohol’s Effect on Sleep in COPD
Beyond worsening lung functioning, alcohol can create breathing problems during sleep in people with COPD.Research showsthatheavy drinkingcan elevate the risk of sleep apnea by 25%. Alcohol-induced breathing problems during sleep can be especially dangerous for individuals with COPD, who normally havelower oxygen levelsthan most people.
Allergic Reactions to Alcohol in COPD
Some people with COPD may demonstrate allergic and allergic-like reactions following alcohol consumption. Allergic reactions to alcohol for people who have COPD may involve:
- Sneezing
- Runny nose
- Congestion
- Increased breathing difficulties
- Itching
- Flushing of the skin
Theresearch showsthat these reactions are more common among women and people with COPD. While any alcohol can cause these symptoms to occur, wine specifically appears to be a common cause of allergic reactions.
Wine sensitivitycan occur among people with COPD due to the histamine and sulfites in wine. In addition to causing respiratory difficulties, wine can produce allergic reactions and uncomfortable symptoms, like skin itching or flushing. By creating an allergic reaction, wine and other alcoholic beverages can exacerbate the breathing difficulties and discomfort that occur with COPD.
Alcohol-Related Deaths in COPD
Alcohol can negatively affect COPD and even increase the risk of death among individuals with this condition. Moderate to high levels of alcohol consumption are associated with a25% increased riskof death from COPD.
Alcohol and COPD can be a dangerous combination.One studyfound that having COPD increases the risk of dying in the hospital among those dependent upon alcohol. It is possible that alcohol-related complications can be fatal for some people with COPD.
Treatment for Co-Occurring Alcohol Abuse and COPD
Abusing alcohol can create symptoms of allergic reactions, worsen lung functioning, and lead to sleep-disordered breathing, all of which can compromise the health of someone with COPD. Despite these consequences, some people may develop an addiction to alcohol and beunable to give up drinkingon their own.
If you or a loved one struggle with co-occurring alcohol abuse and COPD, treatment of thealcohol use disorderis necessary to improve health and prevent complications. Treatment may involve medical care,individual and group therapy, medication (if necessary) or a combination of these modalities.
The Recovery Village has services available to treat alcoholism, withlocations across the country. Reach out to an admissions representative today to begin your journey toward recovery.
