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Is Drinking Alcohol Ok for MS Patients?

The first question is if drinking alcohol is a risk factor for developing MS as it is for many cancers.  The answer is no one knows.  We do know that the cause of developing MS is a combination of genetic and environmental factors. Drinking alcohol may be one such factor but a definite connection has not been proven. Some studies show that drinking alcohol may play a protective role against developing MS.  But, before you raise your glass, other studies have shown the opposite findings: some show that patients with MS tend to be heavier drinkers and that people with alcohol dependence have a higher risk of developing MS.

The conflicting opinions are likely due to the different effects alcohol has.  Low or moderate alcohol intake reduces inflammatory immune responses. At the same time, it also promotes demyelination (stripping of the nerve cells in the central nervous system, which is the hallmark of the disease).

Besides a conflicting potential effect on causation, alcohol can also affect the symptoms of MS in a positive or negative manner. One study showed that moderate drinking reduced disability ratings while others showed worsened severity of symptoms such as incoordination and slurred speech. More than one study showed higher levels of alcohol intake was associated with more lesions on MRI brain and more rapid disability progression.

The effect of alcohol intake may also be impacted by the Disease Modifying Therapeutics (DMT’s), with some patients noticing a decreased tolerance to alcohol. The decreased tolerance may be due to the body’s difficulty in breaking down alcohol.  Further, drinking alcohol while using DMT’s may increase the potential impact on liver function and may reduce the absorption of the DMT, reducing the benefit of preventing MS disease progression.

Alcohol has been linked other adverse effects on the body, like heart disease, diabetes, and depression. Patients with MS may find their disease progression and symptomatology affected by these co-mobidities.

It is a personal decision about whether to deny oneself alcohol if they find enjoyment from it.  BeCareLink can help MS patients to monitor their symptoms and neurologic function to help them make the best lifestyle decisions for themselves.

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