Arthritis can be thought of as a condition in which one or more joints become swollen and painful. Stiffness and pain are significant symptoms of arthritis and they often get worse with age. Rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis are the most common forms of arthritis. In rheumatoid arthritis, the immune system attacks the joints and in osteoarthritis, the cartilage covering the bones wears away over time and age.
Young people and adults often find the opportunity to engage in activities they normally enjoy, such as drinking, as a way to relax. Although this generation has made drinking fun and binge drinking more enjoyable, it is not known that drinking can aggravate rheumatoid arthritis.
After drinking, hangover symptoms can be common, including headaches or confusion. Some people may even experience joint pain because they also have inflammation, which alcohol causes when consumed in excess.
The degree of inflammation and the severity of the pain depends on the type of medication a person takes to control their rheumatoid arthritis, the amount of alcohol or alcoholic beverages consumed, how often they drink, and other personal factors.
How are alcohol and joints related?
The link between alcohol consumption and arthritis is inflammation. Inflammation is the body’s response to anything foreign or irritating to the body. It is a biological response in which inflammatory mediators are released into the body’s bloodstream and transported to the affected area for healing.
Now, inflammation is not conducive to healing, as the immune system mistakenly attacks healthy tissue, leading to painful inflammatory conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, and psoriatic arthritis.
Alcohol causes inflammation and leads to the release of inflammatory mediators. These mediators travel to the affected site and attack joints and tissues in the body, causing pain.
How does drinking too much alcohol make your joints worse?
Here are some ways that drinking too much alcohol makes your joints worse:
1. Affects the functioning of the immune system
The innate or non-specific immune system, which protects the body from pathogens and other substances, is adversely affected by alcohol. Alcohol inhibits the activation of monocytes, an essential process in the typical inflammatory response. White blood cells, called monocytes, mobilize other white blood cells to fight disease. Inflammation can increase if there is interference with the activation of monocytes.
2. Disrupts sleep
Alcohol inhibits sleep, leading to poor quality sleep. While sleep and joint pain may not go hand in hand, fatigue can exacerbate joint discomfort.
3. Increases uric acid levels
A round of alcohol can increase uric acid levels. A buildup of uric acid increases the risk of gout and other arthritis conditions. Researchers believe there may be a link between uric acid levels in the synovial fluid of patients with osteoarthritis and alcohol consumption.
4. Drinking alcohol and mental illness
Dealing with arthritis symptoms can increase the risk of fatigue, anxiety, or depression. Remember that alcohol slows down parts of the brain involved in behavior and thought processes because it is a depressant. You may experience mood swings if you use alcohol as a coping mechanism for mental health issues.
5. Drug interactions with arthritis and alcohol
Alcohol and some medications used to treat arthritis symptoms do not mix well. Include NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) because they increase the risk of stomach bleeding and ulcers, such as ibuprofen (sold under brand names like Advil and Motrin) and naproxen (Aleve). Drinking alcohol along with rheumatoid arthritis treatments such as leflunomide (Arava), methotrexate (Trexall), or acetaminophen (Tylenol) can increase the risk of liver damage.
How can you drink alcohol without affecting your arthritis?
If you are wondering if arthritis means never touching alcohol, then you should not. People with arthritis need to be very careful when drinking alcohol, specifically:
- Moderation is key: You should drink alcohol in moderation, even if you have arthritis. Drinking too much alcohol can make inflammation worse, leading to arthritis syndrome.
- Choose the uncomplicated way: Choose drinks with less alcohol and additives. Drinking beer, wine or spirits mixed with water or soda is probably healthier than drinking alcoholic drinks or sugary cocktails.
- Stay hydrated: Remember that staying hydrated is essential, especially if you drink alcohol. Dehydration can make arthritis worse. Remember to drink plenty of water before and after drinking alcohol.
- Be careful with medications: Remember that most arthritis medications and other medications interact with alcohol. However, some medications can cause side effects when combined with alcohol. Therefore, you should always seek advice from your doctor.
