Alcohol Flush Reaction

wakka12

Im slightly worried I may have the gene that prevents normal breakdown of alcohol. Im white, irish and 22 years old, I drink like most Irish college students which is too much..I binge drink once a week roughly
When I first started drinking around 18 I noticed I got rosy cheeks while drinking. And someimtes slightly red eyes. The redness was not anywhere as severe as examples I saw online, and I had no other symptoms like difficulty breathing or nausea. Im hoping it may just be because of being in a hot pub or club and being up late that caused this. I no longer turn pink or red at all when I drink but apparently symptoms of flush reaction can disappear with age but you still have the gene which is preventing you processing alcohol corrently, and puts you at much higher chance of developing certain cancers and liver damage. Im really scared to go for a liver test now. Is it possible to have the symptoms without having the 'asian flush reaction'?

I have no change in physical health to make me think theres a problem, but liver problems have no symptoms until serious damage is done, I am just wondering as I saw an article today about damage of alcohol does to people with asian flush reaction and it made me remember how I used to get rosy when I first started drinking.

I just looked up online and the average irish drinker drinks nearly 12 litres of pure alcohol per year..which seems like a lot and I actually find hard to believe..I drink about 6 litres of pure alcohol per year, thatd be my upper estimate. But as I said if I have the intolerance gene the alcohol I do drink damages my body much more than the same amount drank by others without the genetic intolerance

wakka12

For anyone interested..read several studies and white poeple can have a gene that causes flushing while drinking and is relatively common but white people do not have the gene that is associated with not being able to metabolise alcohol corrently..so even if youre white and get alcohol flush, theres no increased cancer risk

to be honest OP, this isn’t the place to ask for medical advice.

I will say however if you’re that worried go to your GP and speak to them. There’s no point spending your days thinking about what ifs. For all it’s worth I don’t think you’ve got anything to worry about, though.

Oh and stop googling things.