Why Can't I Drink....
In May, while on vacation to my favorite beach, I got the most terrible head cold of all time. I was determined to fight it and enjoy my vacation. Nyquil to the rescue. Over a 24 hour period I consumed the entire large bottle of the snuffle, sneeze, headache medicine. On the 3rd day I felt like I could function (with a "hangover") and I enjoyed the remainder of the trip.
However some thing happened. Prior to that incident I was able to enjoy an occasional drink with out any problems. I enjoyed whiskey or vodka, Budlight was my cheap beer of choice but I loved microbrews. I drink sulfite free organic wine because I can tolerate it with no ill side effects. Wine has always posed a problem. The natural sulfites do not bother me... but the added ones... well they kill me!
I tried everything but discovered that I can't drink because it gives me an immediate and consuming headache that takes 24 hours to recover from. Blinding, painful and debilitating I could not stand the side effects of even one drink. We don't drink much in our house but occasionally it was nice. The headache however stopped me. Now three months later and some GOOGLE searches have lead me to believe that somehow I have developed an intolerance to something in the alcohol or to how it is made.
Mind you I am not an expert... but I share what I know.
From the MayoClinic I learned that "Alcohol intolerance can cause immediate, unpleasant reactions after you consume alcohol. The most common signs and symptoms of alcohol intolerance are nasal congestion and skin flushing. This condition is sometimes inaccurately referred to as an alcohol allergy. Alcohol intolerance is caused by a genetic condition in which the body is unable to break down alcohol. The only way to prevent alcohol intolerance is to avoid alcohol altogether.
In some cases, what may seem to be alcohol intolerance is caused by a reaction to something else in an alcoholic beverage — such as chemicals, grains or preservatives. In other cases, reactions are caused by combining alcohol with certain medications. In rare instances, reactions to alcohol can be a sign of a serious underlying health problem that requires diagnosis and treatment."
And so I started my "expensive experiment". I looked up what common "allergies" are problematic when consuming alcohol. Wheat seemed to be the most common component but not the only issue as Budlight is naturally wheat free. I am not suffering from eating bread or anything else with wheat but perhaps the way wheat ferments is the problem. I purchased gluten free beer, potato vodka and a green tea liquor. With trepidation I tried them. Not on the same night mind you but in small amounts and over a period of time. To my surprise and delight I tolerated them.
My not so expert opinion is that I am suffering from both wheat & sulfite problems in alcohol. And so I have searched out alternative beverages. I don't use any mixers because often they themselves are culprit. I am able right now to drink gluten free beer, potato vodka, tequila and several other grain based drinks. But I run the risk of the sulfites coming in and still destroying my head.
My recommendations right now.... Woody Creek vodka from Colorado, OMission beers (because the name was clever!) and Fruit Lab organic liquors.
So the next time you see me going to dinner.... I may be drinking water!
However some thing happened. Prior to that incident I was able to enjoy an occasional drink with out any problems. I enjoyed whiskey or vodka, Budlight was my cheap beer of choice but I loved microbrews. I drink sulfite free organic wine because I can tolerate it with no ill side effects. Wine has always posed a problem. The natural sulfites do not bother me... but the added ones... well they kill me!
I tried everything but discovered that I can't drink because it gives me an immediate and consuming headache that takes 24 hours to recover from. Blinding, painful and debilitating I could not stand the side effects of even one drink. We don't drink much in our house but occasionally it was nice. The headache however stopped me. Now three months later and some GOOGLE searches have lead me to believe that somehow I have developed an intolerance to something in the alcohol or to how it is made.
Mind you I am not an expert... but I share what I know.
From the MayoClinic I learned that "Alcohol intolerance can cause immediate, unpleasant reactions after you consume alcohol. The most common signs and symptoms of alcohol intolerance are nasal congestion and skin flushing. This condition is sometimes inaccurately referred to as an alcohol allergy. Alcohol intolerance is caused by a genetic condition in which the body is unable to break down alcohol. The only way to prevent alcohol intolerance is to avoid alcohol altogether.
In some cases, what may seem to be alcohol intolerance is caused by a reaction to something else in an alcoholic beverage — such as chemicals, grains or preservatives. In other cases, reactions are caused by combining alcohol with certain medications. In rare instances, reactions to alcohol can be a sign of a serious underlying health problem that requires diagnosis and treatment."
And so I started my "expensive experiment". I looked up what common "allergies" are problematic when consuming alcohol. Wheat seemed to be the most common component but not the only issue as Budlight is naturally wheat free. I am not suffering from eating bread or anything else with wheat but perhaps the way wheat ferments is the problem. I purchased gluten free beer, potato vodka and a green tea liquor. With trepidation I tried them. Not on the same night mind you but in small amounts and over a period of time. To my surprise and delight I tolerated them. My not so expert opinion is that I am suffering from both wheat & sulfite problems in alcohol. And so I have searched out alternative beverages. I don't use any mixers because often they themselves are culprit. I am able right now to drink gluten free beer, potato vodka, tequila and several other grain based drinks. But I run the risk of the sulfites coming in and still destroying my head. My recommendations right now.... Woody Creek vodka from Colorado, OMission beers (because the name was clever!) and Fruit Lab organic liquors.
So the next time you see me going to dinner.... I may be drinking water!
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