Alcohol and Edema

Alcohol, in the form of beer, wine or hard liquor, may cause water retention in the hands and feet. The fluid tends to accumulate in the hands and feet because it travels downwards.  

If you experience swelling in your feet after drinking alcoholic beverages, consult with your health care provider immediately as it may be a symptom of liver damage.

Initially, alcohol acts like a diuretic, which can cause dehydration. The salty snack that you might consume while drinking alcohol may also contribute to swelling in hands. Long-term alcohol drinking may cause severe and dangerous fluid retention in the abdomen, known as ascites. 

What’s The Connection: 

When alcohol builds up in your bloodstream, it restrains the release of a hormone known as anti-diuretic hormone or ADH. This ADH, also known as vasopressin, concentrates the urine. In the absence of the anti-diuretic hormone, the kidneys excrete dilute urine which doesn't contain electrolytes like sodium. 

As the alcohol level drops, your body starts to accumulate fluid once again. The water eliminated by your kidneys when your alcohol level was high did not contain sodium, so the level of sodium in the body increases. 

This process creates an imbalance in the ratio of sodium to fluid inside the body. Since sodium is known to retain fluid, this leads to edema. 

Results of Excessive Alcohol Consumption: 

According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), excess alcohol consumption is defined as more than two drinks daily for men; and more than one drink a day for women. 

A 2007 study from the Department of Internal Medicine, showed that alcohol consumption is associated with distinctive skin changes and aggravation of dermatological disorders, including a swollen face. 

If you drink excessively, you might develop a much more severe type of fluid retention, known as ascites. This condition is caused by cirrhosis of the liver. 

While the ascitic fluid usually develops in the abdomen, it may also cause swelling in the legs and feet. Swelling in the hands may also develop from dehydration in constant alcohol use. 

If you have a swollen abdomen in addition to swollen hands and you consume alcohol, see your health care practitioner immediately for a liver assessment. 

Treatment for Edema: 

Though it may seem illogical to drink more water when you have edema, this will help flush out the toxins and excess fluid. However, remember to only drink fluids that are low in sodium, such as plain water. 

Put the salt shaker away and keep away from processed foods high in sodium until you get the swelling in your hands, legs, and ankles, back to normal. 

Some people may have a greater propensity than others to retain fluid while drinking alcohol. Women have a tendency to retain fluid more easily than men. Eating salty snacks while drinking alcohol might raise your sodium intake, and increase your tendency to develop edema. 

If your hands remain swollen for more than a day after drinking alcohol, consult your doctor immediately. Your doctor may prescribe some over the counter diuretics to reduce the swelling. You may also consider taking a natural fluid retention remedy such as Capisette to treat edema.