Should You Worry When Your Face Turns Red When You Drink Alcohol? | Affinity Health
Affinity Health, a leading provider of high-quality health cover, says there may be a medical reason drinking alcohol causes a flushed complexion.
You are not alone if your face becomes flushed after drinking a few glasses of wine. Many people experience face flushing after consuming alcohol. The medical term for it is alcohol flush reaction.
Most of the time, flushing occurs when your body struggles to digest alcohol. There may be another factor causing people to become red-faced after drinking alcohol.
They may have a variant of the aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 (ALDH2) gene. ALDH2 is an enzyme that aids in the breakdown of acetaldehyde. That is a chemical found in alcohol.
Who is Most Vulnerable to Alcohol Flush Reaction?
At least 540 million people worldwide have an ALDH2 deficiency. That represents approximately 8% of the global population. Alcohol flush reaction is more common among the Japanese, Chinese, and Korean people. As a result of consuming alcohol, at least 36% and up to 70% of East Asians develop face flushing. Jewish descendants may also be more likely to carry an ALDH2 mutation.
What Causes an ALDH2 Mutation?
An ALDH2 Mutation is genetic, and either parent can pass it on. It is unknown why particular populations are more likely to experience this issue.
Is Alcohol Flush Reaction Dangerous?
While flushing itself is harmless, it may show more health dangers. People who flush after drinking may have an increased risk of having hypertension. High blood pressure increases the likelihood of developing heart disease and stroke.
Can I Avoid Alcohol Flush Reaction?
The only strategy to prevent face flushing from alcohol use is to:
Abstain from drinking alcohol
Limit your alcohol intake
You may be lucky enough not to experience issues with flushing. But excessive alcohol consumption is dangerous.
Too much alcohol can raise the likelihood of having a variety of health issues, including:
Liver illness
Some cancers
Elevated blood pressure
Cardiac disease and stroke
Memory problems
Digestive troubles
Alcohol dependence
If you drink, strive to drink in moderation. Moderate drinking is no more than one drink per day for women and two for men.
“Remember that facial flushing may signify that you should stop drinking. Therapies may conceal the redness. But they mask the symptoms,” says Murray Hewlett, CEO of Affinity Health.
“If you have facial flushing when drinking, you should limit or abstain from alcohol. If you believe you may have an ALDH2 deficiency consult your physician.”
About Affinity Health
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