Drinking alcohol can have a number of different physical effects. These can be short-term effects, experienced during or directly after drinking, or long-term health effects caused or impacted by chronic drinking. One physical effect that people might experience is difficulty breathing after drinking alcohol.
There are several factors that can contribute to difficulty breathing after drinking alcohol, including allergic reactions, respiratory conditions, and cardiovascular effects. Find out more in this article.
The Common Risks of Drinking Alcohol
Drinking alcohol is a common part of many social occasions, but it’s important to recognise that alcohol consumption carries significant health risks, especially when it comes to excessive alcohol consumption.
Even moderate drinking can have an impact on your body. But heavy drinking or binge drinking can quickly lead to serious health problems, and these range from immediate effects such as chest pains and shortness of breath after drinking alcohol and acid reflux, to long-term issues such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD), heart failure, and alcohol addiction.
Alcohol misuse can also impact your mental health due to being a depressant. Withdrawal symptoms, panic attacks, and anxiety are common in those who drink frequently and excessively.
It’s also important to understand what constitutes moderate alcohol consumption. Some people may tolerate a small amount of alcohol without noticeable effects, whereas others may experience symptoms after just one unit of an alcoholic beverage.
Personal factors, underlying health conditions, and the type of alcoholic drink consumed can all influence your risk.
Trouble Breathing After Drinking Alcohol: Common Reasons
There are a number of potential causes of difficulty breathing from consuming alcohol.
Alcohol Poisoning
If you drink a large amount, for example, you could be at risk of alcohol poisoning. According to the NHS, this could occur after drinking more than 12 units of alcohol, which is the equivalent of around 6 pints of beer or medium glasses of wine, in a short period of time. One unit is a measure of pure alcohol, with 12 units corresponding to about 96 grams of pure alcohol.
Alcohol poisoning happens when excessive amounts of alcohol start to interfere with the body’s automatic functions, including heart rate, gag reflex (which can increase your risk of choking) and breathing. This can be very dangerous, and the risks can be increased if you drink alcohol alongside other depressants such as opioids and tranquilisers.
Allergic Reactions and Asthma
Some people are also sensitive to chemicals such as histamines and sulphites that are present in alcoholic beverages. They may suffer allergic reactions, which can affect their breathing. These are sometimes referred to as alcohol-induced respiratory reactions and constrict the airways, just like ‘classical’ asthma.
This condition can affect people in different ways. Some people might notice symptoms, including trouble breathing after drinking alcohol, a tight chest feeling, wheezing and a feeling of breathlessness after just a few sips of an alcoholic drink. Others might not experience symptoms until the next day. For some people, any alcoholic drink can trigger asthma symptoms, while for others, wine, beer and cider can be particularly troublesome due to high levels of sulphites and histamines.
Sleep Apnoea
Some studies have shown that drinking alcohol may have an impact on sleep apnoea, which is a condition where the walls of the throat relax and narrow during sleep, interrupting normal breathing. Alcohol can cause the throat muscles to relax, which leads to more resistance during breathing. This can exacerbate obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) symptoms and lead to disruptive breathing episodes, as well as heavier snoring
Alcoholic Cardiomyopathy
Regular drinking can also cause or contribute to a wide range of long-term health conditions, some of which are associated with difficulty in breathing. Alcoholic cardiomyopathy (ACM) is a heart disease caused by chronic alcohol consumption. In alcoholic cardiomyopathy, damage to the heart muscle impairs its ability to pump blood effectively. Shortness of breath after drinking can be an early symptom, along with fatigue, weakness, an abnormal heartbeat, and swelling of the feet, legs, and ankles.
The breathlessness can get worse without effective treatment and management, and the condition can lead to heart failure. High blood pressure and the build-up of fatty deposits in blood vessels can further increase the risk of heart failure. So, consuming large amounts of alcohol can also trigger irregular heart rhythms such as atrial fibrillation, sometimes referred to as holiday heart syndrome, which can cause palpitations and shortness of breath after drinking.
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disorder
Drinking alcohol may also have an impact on chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD), a term for a number of lung diseases that make it more difficult to breathe. It can be difficult for researchers to assess the impact precisely, as heavy drinkers are more likely to smoke than the general population (and those who smoke are also more likely to drink). It is believed that alcohol can impact COPD in a number of ways, however:
- Chronic alcohol intake can damage the surface of the lungs, making them less effective and making it increasingly difficult to expel mucus from the lungs. This can worsen any shortness of breath.
- Drinking can lower levels of glutathione, an antioxidant found within the lungs. This can lead to COPD flare-ups.
- Drinking alcohol can make a COPD sufferer less bothered by shallow breathing. While this might feel better, it can be dangerous as it can lead to an excess buildup of carbon dioxide in the lungs.
- Alcohol can interfere with common COPD medications, including glucocorticoids and antibiotics.
Infections That Affect Breathing
Chronic heavy drinkers may also be more at risk of developing other infections and conditions that affect the lungs and can lead to difficulty breathing. These can include pneumonia, tuberculosis (TB), respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection, and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS).
Risks Associated with Difficulty Breathing
Difficulty breathing after drinking alcohol (or in any other situation) can come with a number of risks, depending on the underlying causes and severity. For a start, even a milder shortness of breath after drinking can be very uncomfortable and scary to experience.
A severe difficulty breathing after drinking alcohol, such as that caused by alcohol poisoning or a serious COPD flare-up, can be very dangerous and potentially fatal. Symptoms such as chest pains, chest tightness, rapid heart rate, or other symptoms like a panic attack may indicate a serious underlying issue and require immediate medical attention.
Respiratory failure can occur when your blood doesn’t have enough oxygen or has too much carbon dioxide. It can cause loss of consciousness, brain damage and even death.
Difficulty Breathing After Drinking Alcohol: When to Seek Medical Attention
You should seek medical attention if you regularly find yourself having difficulty breathing after drinking alcohol. There might be a number of underlying causes, but if you notice that it happens mostly after drinking, alcohol is likely to be a factor.
Pay attention to whether your symptoms improve after you stop drinking. If your symptoms persist or worsen even after you stop drinking, seek medical attention.
The NHS recommends that individuals should seek emergency assistance if they suffer sudden shortness of breath and:
- Your chest feels tight or heavy.
- You have pain that feels like it’s spreading to your arms, back, neck and jaw.
- You feel sick or are sick.
- You’re coughing up blood.
- You have pain or swelling in one of your legs.
These signs could suggest a heart attack. If you notice any of them, you should go to A&E or call 999 or 112 immediately.
Preventing Difficulty Breathing After Drinking
The surest way to prevent difficulty breathing after drinking is to cut down on your alcohol consumption or quit entirely. This is especially important if you believe you might have a problem with alcohol or suffer from a condition such as COPD that can be made worse by drinking alcohol.
If you don’t want to quit drinking altogether but sometimes experience shortness of breath after drinking, a few simple changes can make a big difference. Start by paying attention to what you drink. Some people react to certain beverages more than others.
Try keeping a small note on which drinks cause symptoms. If wine or beer makes it worse, switch to a clear, low-sulfite drink mixed with water or juice. If you have asthma, talk to your doctor about using your inhaler before drinking, and stay away from smoky or crowded places.
To avoid acid reflux, don’t drink on an empty stomach. Skip fizzy or very acidic drinks, and sit up for a while afterwards. Always drink slowly, have a glass of water between drinks, and avoid mixing too many types of alcohol. Finally, check with your doctor or pharmacist if you take medication, as some prescriptions can make it harder to breathe when combined with alcohol.
Struggling With Alcohol Misuse? Reach Out Today
It can be very difficult to quit alcohol, especially if you have engaged in chronic heavy drinking for some time or have developed a dependency. At Cassiobury Court, we have a wealth of experience helping those who are struggling with alcohol addiction, so get in touch today to find out more about how we can help. Call us on 08000014070.
