Does alcohol cause dehydration?

Dehydration occurs when the body does not have sufficient quantities of liquid to operate effectively.This can cause symptoms such as headaches, dizziness and fatigue.Alcohol has a dehydrating effect on the body, especially when a person consumes large quantities.

A serious and untreated dehydration can endanger life.It is important to understand how alcohol affects the levels of liquids and electrolytes in the body to prevent dehydration and preserve health.In this article, we describe how alcohol dehydrates the body and provide advice on how to counter dehydration due to alcohol consumption.We also describe other causes of dehydration.

We speak of dehydration when the body does not have a sufficient amount of liquid to operate effectively.This happens when a person loses more liquids than it absorbs.Dehydration may result from the use of diuretics.These are substances that promote the production of urine, or diuresis.Alcohol is a diuretic and can therefore cause dehydration.

Symptoms of dehydration

Dehydration can affect multiple body functions and cause a wide range of symptoms.

The lightest symptoms are as follows

- Thirst - headache - dark urine

Moderate to serious symptoms include

- dizziness - delirium - fainting

Without treatment, severe dehydration can cause serious complications, such as:

- electrolytic imbalances - kidney problems - shock - coma - death

Why does alcohol cause dehydration?

Alcohol is a diuretic and therefore causes excessive urination.Consequently, a person loses liquids and vital electrolytes.

Here are some factors that play a role in alcohol dehydration:

The consumption of alcohol on an empty stomach: alcohol penetrates the blood circulation by the blood vessels located in the tissue wall of the stomach and the small intestine.Without food in the stomach, alcohol goes directly into the blood circulation instead of being absorbed more slowly by the stomach and the small intestine.Thus, drinking on an empty stomach can contribute to dehydration.

Deletion of appetite: large amounts of alcohol can remove appetite, making a person less likely to eat while drinking.This can in turn accelerate the absorption of alcohol and the dehydration that results from it.

Renal function: alcohol consumption decreases the ability of kidneys to filter blood and maintain the balance of liquids and electrolytes in the body.Alcohol also removes the release of the vasopressin antidiuretic hormone, which controls the amount of water reabsorbed and retained by the kidneys.This reduces water retention and increases urination.

The risk of dehydration is higher in the elderly and people with chronic diseases, such as:

- diabetes - cystic fibrosis - kidney diseases

How to counter alcohol induced dehydration?

To remain hydrated, a person must take measures before, during and after alcohol consumption.

Here are some tips that can help prevent alcohol dehydration:

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- Consume alcohol in moderation: for men, do not drink more than two glasses per day and for women, do not drink more than one drink per day.

- Drink the alcohol slowly: the liver takes one hour to treat each portion of alcohol.

- Drink at least one glass of water for each portion of alcohol.

- Drink water regularly: people who forget to drink water regularly can try the following: to take water in a bottle

- Drinking water according to a specific schedule

- Drinking other moisturizing drinks: in addition to water, other moisturizing drinks were consumed, such as:

- soy milk - coconut water - aloe vera juice - electrolytic drinks - herbal teas - avoid sugary and caffeinated drinks: they can promote dehydration.

- Eat moisturizing foods: here are some examples of foods with high water content - fruits - vegetables - soups and broths Avoid fried food and those rich in sodium, protein and sugar: these foods can promote thedehydration.

Other causes of dehydration

There are many other causes of dehydration than alcohol consumption.These include:

- perspiration - Physical exercise - Warm time - low humidity - high altitude - vomiting - diarrhea - fever

Certain drugs, such as - diuretics - laxatives - drugs intended to control high blood pressure and cardiovascular diseases.A person who already has a risk of dehydration due to one or more of the above factors must avoid or limit their alcohol consumption.

Other risks related to alcohol consumption

Alcohol consumption has other health risks than dehydration.These risks vary depending on the amount of alcohol consumed and the frequency of consumption.

Moderate consumption

Moderate alcohol consumption is safe for most people.A moderate quantity is equivalent to a glass of alcohol or less per day for women and two glasses of alcohol or less per day for men.

However, even moderate alcohol consumption can cause symptoms such as:

–Vomissements –Maux of the head - Sleep -toubles - Memory losses

Excessive consumption of alcohol

We speak of "binge drinking" when a person consumes an excessive amount of alcohol in a short period of time.This is equivalent to drinking five or more glasses in two hours for men and four or more glasses in two hours for women.

Excessive alcohol consumption increases the following risks:

- memory holes - alcohol poisoning - injuries due to poisoning

Excessive consumption of alcohol

Excessive alcohol consumption can cause serious health problems.It corresponds to more than three glasses per day or eight glasses per week for women and more than four glasses per day or 15 glasses per week for men.Excessive chronic consumption of alcohol can cause high blood pressure, which is one of the main causes of kidney disease.It can also weaken immunity, thus increasing the risk of infections.

Excessive chronic alcohol consumption can also cause the following problems:

-disruption of electrolytes-vitamin deficiencies and malnutrition-a weakened immune system-a liver disease-hepatitis linked to alcohol-cirrhosis-pancreatitis-stomach ulcers-gastrointestinal problems, such as nausea and vomiting- osteoporosis - cardiovascular complications - certain types of cancer - mental health problems, such as anxiety and depression - alteration of cognitive functions

Alcohol consumption leads to dehydration and can affect several systems and functions of the body.It is important to know the signs and symptoms of alcohol -induced dehydration and the means to avoid it.Alcohol -induced dehydration is more likely to occur if a person drinks empty alcohol or does not drink enough non -alcoholic liquids while consuming alcohol.People who already have a risk of dehydration must avoid or limit their alcohol consumption.In addition to dehydration, alcohol can have other negative effects on the body.This is why it is necessary to consume alcohol in moderation and to avoid binge-drug or chronic excessive consumption.

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