Heavy drinking, even when it is not chronic, can lead to defects in red blood cell production and cause anemia. Thankfully, stopping alcohol use can help.
It is widely known that numerous health problems have been associated with drinking, including those stemming from an allergy or alcohol intolerance. But, can alcohol cause anemia?
Article at a Glance:
- Drinking too much alcohol can lead to anemia.
- Anemia is a reduction in the function or number of red blood cells.
- Alcohol-induced anemia can often be reversed by abstaining from alcohol consumption.
Does Alcohol Cause Anemia?
Anemia is a condition where the body does not make enough red blood cells or does not make properly functioning red blood cells. These cells are needed to carry and deliver oxygen throughout the body. The body constantly turns over red blood cells, so too much red blood cell destruction can also lead to anemia.
There are several ways alcohol can lead to anemia. It can be a short-term or a long-term problem, depending on the cause. While anemia can be observed in the days immediately following heavy drinking, chronic alcohol use is more likely to cause certain types of anemia and result in additional long-term health issues, such as anemia’s association with chronic liver disease.
Alcohol’s Effect on Red Blood Cells
Alcohol has short-term and long-term effects on the body’s red blood cells, including:
- Bone marrow suppression: Alcohol can impact red blood cell production by decreasing the number of precursor cells in the bone marrow, resulting in fewer mature red blood cells being made.
- Enlarged red blood cells: Alcohol can also impact red blood cell maturation, causing abnormally shaped or dysfunctional cells. When alcohol leads to enlarged red blood cells, they are likely to be destroyed faster than normal cells and will not function as well as normal red blood cells.
- Malnutrition: Alcohol may also affect how nutrients are absorbed from food. Alcohol-induced malnutrition tends to lead to folic acid deficiencies, affecting the ability of red blood cells to form normally.
- Gastrointestinal bleeding: Alcohol can significantly increase the risk of gastrointestinal bleeding. This bleeding can be small but continuous, slowly depleting the number of red blood cells and leading to anemia.
Symptoms of Alcohol-Induced Anemia
Because the human body needs oxygen to function properly and red blood cells deliver oxygen throughout the body, anemia can be a serious condition. If you know you’re anemic, it is important to know the symptoms and speak to a doctor if you start to experience any of them. Your doctor can also check for anemia if you’re showing several symptoms. The symptoms of anemia include:
- Fatigue
- Feeling lightheaded
- Pale or yellow skin
- Shortness of breath
- Chest pains
- Abnormal heartbeat
- Cold hands, feet or other extremities
- Headaches
- Reduced mental capacity
- Reduced physical capacity
Is Anemia from Alcohol Abuse Preventable or Reversible?
Anemia from alcohol abuse is reversible. Most individuals will see an improvement in red blood cell counts after a period of abstinence from alcohol, returning to normal red blood cell formation and function.
If the alcohol-induced anemia was due to a deficiency in folic acid absorption, taking a supplement may help to offset this deficiency. However, the problem is ultimately struggling to absorb the folic acid, so a supplement may only provide limited help. Stopping alcohol use will be the best way to prevent folic acid deficiency anemia.
If you or a loved one are struggling with alcohol addiction, The Recovery Village can help. To learn more about alcohol detox or our comprehensive alcohol rehab treatment plans, contact The Recovery Village to speak with a representative.
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