Your alcohol problems could be much more than a hangover

Nausea, headache and sensitivity to light and sound are all common symptoms of a hangover, and most of them will disappear over time while the body works to treat alcohol .

But it may not just be a hangover, said a doctor at Fox News Digital.

These symptoms could be something else – such as alcohol allergy or alcohol intolerance.

“If you feel horrible after drinking alcohol, it’s not always just a hangover,” California Dasgupta said in Fox News Digital.

“Although a hangover is the most common reaction to exaggerate, some people could actually face alcohol intolerance or even an alcohol allergy, which can both feel very different . “

DASGUPTA specializes in internal medicine with Huntington Health in the Los Angeles region.

A hangover, Dasgupta said: “This is what happens when you drink more alcohol than your body can not manage it. It is a combination of dehydration, electrolytic imbalance, inflammation and your liver that works overtime to treat alcohol. »»

The hangover can sometimes be avoided, he said, “If you are riding and staying hydrated.”

However, something that cannot be avoided for some people is alcohol intolerance.

“Alcohol intolerance is a reaction that occurs quickly, often in a few minutes after even having a small amount of alcohol,” he said.

Those who have alcohol intolerance have a deficiency in enzyme, said Dasgupta, and are unable to break alcohol.

“Common symptoms include rinsing (especially in the face), a blocked nose, nausea and a racing heart rate,” he said. “It’s not too much to drink. It is your body which points out that it cannot manage alcohol well. »»

Although “much rarer” than a hangover or an alcohol intolerance, a person who feels sick after drinking alcohol could suffer from allergy to alcohol, Dasgupta told Fox Digital News.

“An allergy to alcohol is much rarer but also more serious,” he said. “It is an immune response to something in the drink, such as barley, wheat, yeast or sulfites.”

A person who has an allergy to alcohol will have a reaction “almost immediately” after consuming it.

“Symptoms may include hives, swelling, difficulty breathing, stomach pain or even anaphylaxis,” he said-which can be fatal.

“It is therefore essential to ask for medical help if they occur,” said Dasgutta.

However, if a person feels good until morning after, they probably have a hangover, said Dasgupta – and that will disappear over time.

However, “if (the symptoms) appear just after drinking, be careful,” he said.

“Rinse and slight discomfort can indicate intolerance, while anything that involves swelling or respiratory problems is probably an allergy and justifies immediate medical care,” he said.

“If in doubt, talk to your doctor. They can help you understand it and stay safe. »»