HomeAnswersInternal MedicinealcoholismMy heartbeat increases after drinking alcohol. Why?

My heart beats fast and eyes become red if I drink alcohol. Is there a treatment?

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The following is an actual conversation between an iCliniq user and a doctor that has been reviewed and published as a Premium Q&A.

Answered by

Dr. Nidhin Mohan

Medically reviewed by

iCliniq medical review team

Published At May 4, 2018
Reviewed AtFebruary 21, 2024

Patient's Query

Hello doctor,

My heartbeat raises and the eyes become very red and I become tired when I take alcohol. Why does this happen so? And, what is the treatment?

Answered by Dr. Nidhin Mohan

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

The alcohol ingested is metabolized in the liver and converted to acetaldehyde. This takes place in the liver. The variations in the effect of alcohol in different people take place because of the difference in the genetics of enzymes called alcohol dehydrogenases (ADH). In short people with ADH enzymes fast acting in the liver, based on genetics, will have less effect of alcohol as the alcohol gets converted fast to acetaldehyde and vice versa.

Answering the second part of your question regarding treatment, make sure you drink plenty of water while ingesting alcohol and also avoid taking alcohol on an empty stomach. The effects of alcohol on you seem more than usual because of genetics which cannot be changed and of course the best treatment would be to cut down or stop alcohol.

Patient's Query

Thank you doctor,

Is there a treatment for this? Since three months I am not taking alcohol. And if I do, all these happen to me. Kindly give me a treatment so that I can take alcohol sometimes and not always.

Answered by Dr. Nidhin Mohan

Hello,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

The most important part of treatment is psychological support. You can join support groups for free. After those sessions, if you still feel the urge then you can start on this medication Acamprosate 333 mg three times a day after food for two to three weeks and then follow up. Consult your specialist doctor, discuss with him or her and start taking the medicines with their consent. Before starting this tablet, you need to check your creatinine level and liver function blood test.

Same symptoms don't mean you have the same problem. Consult a doctor now!

Dr. Nidhin Mohan
Dr. Nidhin Mohan

Internal Medicine

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