Author: Gary Jackson

Alcohol Consumption and Risk of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: A Prospective Cohort Study of Men

“Alcohol increases the risk for respiratory infection by interfering with respiratory clearance mechanisms,” Schachter says. Drinking alcohol can make you more likely to get a respiratory infection. Other irritants can cause COPD, including cigar smoke, secondhand smoke, pipe smoke, air pollution, and workplace exposure to dust, smoke or fumes. The main cause of COPD in developed countries is tobacco smoking.

The content on Healthgrades does not provide medical advice. Always consult a medical provider for diagnosis and treatment. Tell your doctor about any family history of related conditions, including lung cancer, COPD, asthma, or other breathing problems. The same study found that people diagnosed with COPD, as well as other cardiovascular disorders, aren’t as likely to give up drinking because of the diagnosis. One-third of adults with chronic health problems, including COPD, reported that they drink regularly.

Can you drink alcohol if you have COPD?

It’s a good idea to talk to your doctor about your specific COPD medications to make sure drinking alcohol won’t cause an interaction or unwanted side effects. But as COPD gets worse, it might be time to take another look at your drinking habits. It’s important for those living with COPD to follow a treatment plan. This can include taking medication, getting a flu shot every year, and getting a pneumonia shot regularly, Schachter says. If you smoke, it’s important that you try to kick the habit, he says. In about 1% of people with COPD, the disease results from a genetic disorder that causes low levels of a protein called alpha-1-antitrypsin (AAt).

This should be a person who can be tough with you but also cheer you on. Explain your plan, and decide on steps of intervention if you slip up or need additional help from outside resources. Getting support from another person trying to quit may not be ideal. Instead, you need an accountability partner, someone you can turn to when your resolve is waning. Each person needs different types of guidance and accountability during the process. Diagnosing COPD requires a physical exam, a review of your medical history, and some tests.

Is It OK to Drink Alcohol With COPD?

Alcohol does not independently cause lung diseases like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). However, chronic alcohol exposure can be harmful to your lungs, worsening your condition and compounding the respiratory damage done by toxins like cigarette smoke. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a chronic inflammatory lung disease that causes obstructed airflow from the lungs. Symptoms include breathing difficulty, cough, mucus (sputum) production and wheezing.

• Drinking high quantities of alcohol can harm healthy lung functioning and thereby worsen COPD.
• “Alcohol increases the risk for respiratory infection by interfering with respiratory clearance mechanisms,” Schachter says.
• COPD causes them to lose their elasticity and over-expand, which leaves some air trapped in your lungs when you exhale.
• While small quantities of alcohol may be safe, heavy drinking can make COPD symptoms worse.

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Allergic Reactions to Alcohol in COPD

People may have a harder time coughing after consuming alcohol, which means they may not be able to clear their lungs appropriately. The research shows that these reactions are more common among women and people with COPD. While any alcohol can cause these symptoms to occur, wine specifically appears to be a common cause of allergic reactions.