In everyday life, drinking alcohol is a common way for many people to socialize or relax. However, as time goes on, some people begin to notice abnormal reactions in their bodies, which makes them wonder, "I haven't drunk much, why do I feel something is wrong with my body?" This confusion is not unique, in fact, these abnormal reactions in the body may be an early sign of the health risks associated with long-term drinking.
During my time working in the hospital, I have been in contact with many patients who have been drinking alcohol for a long time. Most of them are not alcoholics, but their long-term drinking habits have caused their bodies to gradually send out distress signals. Sadly, many people don't heed these signals and even blame them on stress or lack of rest and continue to drink as usual. However, it is these small symptoms that are easily overlooked, and it is often the body that is quietly "urging you to quit drinking". Without a deep understanding of the reasons behind these signals, it's likely that you'll miss the best time to make lifestyle adjustments until your health is severely compromised.
Sweating at night: an "alarm" for the nervous system
Sweating easily at night when you go to bed is considered normal by many people, but if you find that you are particularly prone to sweating when you sleep after every drink, even in a non-hot environment, it can be a warning sign. Long-term alcohol consumption can continue to stimulate the nervous system, especially the sympathetic nervous system, and gradually lead to problems with neuromodulatory function. Our body is supposed to be in a state of deep rest at night, and if the sympathetic nerves are constantly in a state of "activation", the body's body temperature regulation mechanism will become disordered, resulting in unexplained night sweating.
I remember a company employee who wasn't a heavy drinker, but had a habit of drinking every day. After a few years, he found that he often woke up at night with a wet pillow towel. At first, he thought it was the weather, but even in the cold season, he would sweat inexplicably at night. Later, during a physical examination, he found that his liver function indicators were already high. Doctors reminded him that long-term alcohol intake could lead to sympathetic overexcitement, which further affected thermoregulation and sleep quality.
Alcohol interferes with sympathetic nervous activity by affecting the central nervous system. While night sweating doesn't directly mean a liver problem, it could be an indirect signal: something is wrong with the body's neuromodulation, and this problem is likely to be related to the long-term effects of alcohol. If you sweat a lot at night without strenuous exercise or high temperatures, then quitting alcohol may be an important step in reducing the burden on your nervous system and improving your physical condition.
Loss of appetite: a "protest" of the metabolic system
Many people think that it is common to get fat after drinking, after all, alcohol contains a lot of calories, but in fact, some people who drink alcohol for a long time will have the opposite phenomenon: loss of appetite, and even a quiet loss of weight. This is not because alcohol can help people lose weight, but because alcohol interferes with the normal functioning of the gastrointestinal tract and metabolic system, making the body's ability to absorb nutrients weaker. Alcohol stimulates the secretion of gastric acid and damages the gastric mucosa, causing disruption to the digestion and absorption of food in the gastrointestinal tract. In the long run, despite caloric intake, weight loss is caused by impaired nutrient absorption.
A creative director of an advertising agency, who usually socializes frequently, and drinks at night are common. Although he seems to have a good appetite, he gradually finds that he is not hungry easily. He often drank only one cup of coffee in the morning until noon, and the amount of food was smaller than before, but his weight kept falling and his skin became a little loose.
During the physical examination, the doctor pointed out that his long-term drinking caused chronic gastritis and minor intestinal mucosal damage, and his ability to absorb nutrients was greatly reduced, which led to weight loss. If you don't deliberately lose weight, but your weight keeps dropping, and you still don't have much appetite, it's likely that your body is reminding you to control the amount of alcohol you drink quickly. The long-term "torture" of the liver, gastrointestinal tract and metabolic system by alcohol directly affects nutrient metabolism and weight changes, which are likely to manifest themselves before the damage worsens.
Itchy skin: a "distress signal" for the liver
In the early stages of ALD, the symptoms are usually subtle, but the signs of itchy skin are easy to ignore. Those who have been drinking for a long time sometimes feel itchy skin inexplicably after drinking. Especially in the upper arms, back, and legs, this itching sensation is usually not due to allergies or dryness, but rather due to increased levels of bile acids in the blood after impaired liver function. If the liver is unable to properly metabolize and excrete bile acids, it can stimulate nerve endings, which can cause itchy skin.
I met a young man who was so stressed at work that he made it a habit to drink some alcohol in the evening to relieve stress. Over time, he found that his skin often itched, especially after drinking. At first, he thought it was allergies, and even changed the laundry detergent and skin care products a few times, but the symptoms were still there. Later, he went to the hospital for a check-up and found that the liver function indicators were a little abnormal, probably caused by long-term drinking.
As the liver's metabolic ability deteriorates, bile acids slowly accumulate, which eventually leads to itchy skin. Disturbances in bile acid metabolism are common in abnormal liver function, and pruritus is one of the early manifestations of elevated bile acid levels. This itching usually doesn't have a noticeable rash or redness, but it's a warning that your body is whispering to you: the liver's ability to detoxify is declining. If the skin itches frequently after drinking, it should be taken seriously, liver function should be checked in time and the reduction of alcohol consumption should be considered.
Redness of the palms: a "warning light" for blood vessels
People who drink alcohol for a long time, especially those who drink a lot of alcohol every day, sometimes find that their palms are red. This kind of performance is not as simple as a short "drinking blush". Redness of the palms may reflect chronic dilation of capillaries, which may be due to decreased liver function or the direct effects of alcohol on blood vessels. When alcohol enters the body, it will cause certain irritation to the blood vessel wall, causing the capillaries to dilate for a long time. When the liver's function declines, its ability to remove hormones and toxins from the blood becomes weaker, and the vascular regulation function will also be disordered, and finally the palms will become red.
I know a patient who often drinks alcohol for work and socializes, and found that his palms are always red and even slightly burning. He thought it was because his hands were in constant contact with mechanical equipment. But the doctor told him that this "palmar liver" could be related to the long-term effects of alcohol on the liver and blood vessels. Abnormal liver function can cause changes in blood hormone levels, and direct stimulation of blood vessels by alcohol can also weaken capillaries.
This phenomenon is known as "palmar palm", but it is not limited to people with severe liver disease, and in the early stages of long-term drinking, redness of the palms can already be a warning sign. When the liver's blood flow regulation and metabolic function are affected, vasodilation tends to persist. If you notice redness and burning sensation in your palms, it's likely that your liver and blood vessels are reminding you to quit drinking.
Topic interaction
Have you or someone close to you ever reacted similarly to your body? Are you aware that these can be health risks from drinking?
What do you think can help relieve physical discomfort during the process of quitting alcohol? What are some practical tips for quitting alcohol?
Pay attention to your body's signals and embrace a healthy life
These seemingly inconspicuous physical signals may be the body "shouting" that you should stop and consider quitting drinking. Paying attention to these details early and reducing or even quitting alcohol in a timely manner can bring more long-term protection to your health. It is hoped that more people can pay attention to these physical distress signals, adjust their lifestyles in time, and embrace health.
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