|
|
| |
|
|
ALCOHOL ALLERGIES |
Alergies to alcohols, wine are not very
common; however, the non-alergic undesirable responses to
alcohol like flushing, irritant reactions, toxic reactions
and psychological effects are more commonly reported. Alcohol
also known as Ethanol is the normal by-product of human
and animal cell chemistry metabolism. The cell processes
result in normal physiological levels of 0.01 to 0.03 mg
of alcohol per 100 ml of blood. Unlike, the blood alcohol
limit for driving of 0.05 per cent is equal to 50 mg of
alcohol per 100 ml of blood.
Alcohol – ethanol is generally broken down by liver enzymes
just within a few minutes. The transformation of alcohol
– ethanol to acetaldehyde needs the enzyme alcohol dehydrogenase.
Acetaldehyde is then converted into the acetic acid – vinegar
by the enzyme called aldehyde dehydrogenase. If the individual
is unable to break down this alcohol easily, problems may
develop if alcohol is consumed.
Some of the persons have been found facing severe facial
reddening after consuming even a small amount of alcohol.
The other reaction or side effect may include palpitations
/ tachycardia of heart, sensation of heat, headache, upset
stomach or fall in blood pressure – hypotension all related
to blood acetaldehyde levels. Persons having such problems
pose to be partly lacking of aldehyde dehydrogenase, ending
up in increased levels of accumulated acetaldehyde.
Flushing is not always because of alcohol consumption, it
can even occur in skin conditions like rosacea, menopause,
low levels of blood sugar – hypoglycemia and often as reaction
to some antibiotics or medications used for treating diabetes
or high blood fat levels.
|
|
|
|
|
