Beer Overdose: Health Risks And Diseases

Drinking too much beer can lead to several health issues, including alcohol poisoning, liver disease, pancreatitis, and cancer. Alcohol poisoning occurs when there is an excessive amount of alcohol in the bloodstream, affecting vital functions like breathing, heart rate, and consciousness. Liver disease, such as alcoholic fatty liver disease and cirrhosis, can be caused by alcohol damaging and scarring the liver. Pancreatitis, or inflammation of the pancreas, can also develop due to alcohol abuse. Additionally, excessive beer consumption is linked to an increased risk of developing various types of cancer. It is important to drink responsibly and seek professional help if you or someone you know struggles with alcohol dependency.

Alcohol poisoning

Symptoms of Alcohol Poisoning

• Confusion and slowed responses
• Lack of coordination or inability to walk
• Difficulty remaining conscious
• Delayed or absent gag reflex, which can lead to choking on vomit
• Slow or irregular breathing (fewer than eight breaths per minute or 10 or more seconds between breaths)
• Problems with bladder or bowel control (incontinence)
• Cold, clammy, or bluish-coloured skin (cyanosis), especially around the lips and fingernails
• Low body temperature (hypothermia)
• Strong smell of alcohol

Causes of Alcohol Poisoning

Binge drinking, combining medications and alcohol, drinking on an empty stomach, age, and sex are all factors that can increase the risk of alcohol poisoning.

Treatment of Alcohol Poisoning

In a medical setting, healthcare professionals will provide treatment such as IV fluids, oxygen therapy, stomach pumping, and blood filtration, depending on the severity of the case.

Prevention of Alcohol Poisoning

To prevent alcohol poisoning, it is important to drink in moderation and slowly. Avoid binge drinking, drinking games, and mixing alcohol with medications. Stay hydrated by drinking water after each alcoholic beverage, and make sure to eat before drinking.

Liver disease

There are several types of alcohol-associated liver disease, and many individuals who consume alcohol heavily progress through these types over time:

• Steatotic (fatty) liver: This is the most common alcohol-induced liver problem. It is caused by a build-up of fat inside the liver cells, which leads to an enlarged liver. Steatotic liver often has no symptoms, but it can cause upper belly discomfort on the right side, as well as tiredness and weakness.
• Alcoholic hepatitis: Alcoholic hepatitis is an acute inflammation of the liver. There is death of liver cells, often followed by permanent scarring. It can be caused by alcohol misuse over a longer period, or by binge drinking a large amount of alcohol in a short period of time.
• Cirrhosis: Alcohol-associated cirrhosis is the destruction of normal liver tissue, which is replaced by scar tissue. In this situation, the liver may stop functioning correctly. Cirrhosis is the final phase of alcoholic liver disease, and it is generally not reversible. However, stopping drinking alcohol immediately can prevent further damage and significantly increase life expectancy.

The symptoms of ARLD may not appear until the liver has been severely damaged. When this happens, symptoms can include:

• Jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes)
• Swelling in the ankles and abdomen
• Confusion or drowsiness
• Vomiting blood or passing blood in stools

The best way to prevent ARLD is to stop drinking alcohol or stick to the recommended limits. If you have already caused harm to your liver through alcohol consumption, it is important to stop drinking alcohol completely to allow the liver to recover. In severe cases, a liver transplant may be required.

Pancreatitis

Heavy alcohol consumption can lead to pancreatitis, a painful and potentially fatal inflammation of the pancreas. The pancreas is a large organ located behind the stomach, which releases digestive enzymes and exocrine hormones that regulate blood sugar.

When alcohol is consumed, it is broken down into substances that are toxic to the pancreas, and this can result in pancreatitis over time. The risk of developing pancreatitis increases with the number of drinks consumed, and having two drinks daily can significantly increase the risk. Alcohol is the number two cause of acute pancreatitis and the number one cause of chronic pancreatitis.

Repeated episodes of acute pancreatitis can lead to irreversible damage to the pancreas, resulting in chronic pancreatitis. This is characterised by persistent symptoms and dysfunction due to irreversible pancreatic damage. Chronic pancreatitis interferes with the pancreas's ability to function properly, leading to digestive issues, malnutrition, impaired glucose metabolism, and an increased risk of diabetes and pancreatic cancer.

To prevent and manage pancreatitis, it is crucial to abstain from alcohol consumption. Even after recovering from acute pancreatitis, continuing to consume alcohol can increase the likelihood and severity of future episodes. For those with chronic pancreatitis, alcohol consumption can cause further damage to the pancreas, and it is recommended to abstain completely, including avoiding 'alcohol-free' drinks, as they may contain small amounts of alcohol.

In addition to abstaining from alcohol, maintaining a healthy weight, quitting smoking, and managing conditions like high cholesterol and diabetes can help reduce the risk of pancreatitis.

Mental health issues

Alcohol and mental health are closely linked. Drinking beer excessively can negatively impact your mental well-being and brain function. Here are some ways in which drinking too much beer can affect your mental health:

Alcohol and Depression:

Drinking beer excessively is linked to symptoms of depression. Alcohol is a depressant that disrupts the balance of neurotransmitters in your brain, affecting your feelings, thoughts, and behavior. While initially, it may make you feel more relaxed, confident, and less anxious, these effects are short-lived. As the effects of alcohol wear off, you may experience negative feelings such as anger, depression, or anxiety. Regular heavy drinking often increases symptoms of depression, creating a cycle where individuals drink more to cope with these worsening symptoms.

Alcohol and Anxiety:

Alcohol can temporarily reduce anxiety, but this effect is short-lived. Reliance on alcohol to manage anxiety can lead to a cycle of dependence, with individuals drinking more and more to achieve the same calming effect. Additionally, hangovers from excessive drinking can worsen anxiety symptoms, creating a vicious cycle.

Alcohol and Self-Harm/Suicide:

Alcohol lowers inhibitions and increases impulsivity, which may lead to self-harm or suicidal thoughts and attempts. Heavy drinking is linked to an increased risk of suicidal behavior, and the disinhibiting effects of alcohol can lead to acting on these impulses.

Alcohol and Psychosis:

Regular and excessive drinking can lead to psychosis, and it is also possible to experience psychosis if you are a heavy drinker and suddenly stop drinking.

Alcohol and Brain Damage:

Excessive and long-term alcohol consumption can lead to alcohol-related brain damage (ARBD), causing problems with memory, behavior changes, and nerve cell damage. It can also lead to vitamin deficiencies, particularly vitamin B1 deficiency, which can further damage brain cells.

Alcohol and Sleep Disorders:

Alcohol consumption is often linked to sleep-related disturbances, including insomnia, early morning awakening, and fatigue. It can alter sleep physiology, reduce rapid eye movement sleep duration, and compromise sleep quality.

Alcohol and Trauma:

Alcohol use, especially during adolescence and long-term exposure, may increase the risk of developing psychiatric disorders and can be a maladaptive coping mechanism for individuals with trauma and adverse childhood experiences.

If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health issues related to excessive beer drinking, it is important to seek professional help. This may include therapy, support groups, or medical treatment to address both the mental health concerns and alcohol use.

Allergies and intolerances

• Malt barley
• Brewer's yeast
• Hops
• Assorted flavourings
• Colourings
• Preservatives

If you are allergic to beer, you will likely experience symptoms similar to other allergic reactions, such as abdominal pain, bloating, chest tightness, hives, wheezing, and chest pain. These reactions can be severe and life-threatening, requiring immediate medical attention.

On the other hand, alcohol intolerance is a genetic condition in which the body cannot effectively break down alcohol. It is not a true allergy but can cause immediate, uncomfortable reactions such as a stuffy or runny nose and skin flushing. Alcohol intolerance is most common among people of Asian descent due to a genetic mutation that prevents the breakdown of alcohol.

To manage beer allergies or intolerances, the only solution is to completely avoid beer or choose beers that do not contain the specific ingredient causing the reaction.

Frequently asked questions