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Why the red face? Alcohol flush could mean increased cancer riskBy Madison Park Immediately after taking a few sips of an alcoholic drink, I have an almost cartoonish reaction. I burn up and turn scarlet – my whole face, forearms and neck. My response to alcohol is so strong that a martini is enough to make me vomit, and half a bottle of beer makes me ill. Don’t even get me started about wine. The facial flush, also known as “the Asian glow,” is a fairly common reaction to alcohol amongst East Asians. They turn red, feel nauseated, get swollen and their heartbeats race. I liken the experience to turning into a bright red disco ball. Some people get so embarrassed about this reaction to alcohol, they pop in Pepcid AC, which many people say helps mask the red face. Researchers from the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) and Japan's Kurihama Alcohol Center found that individuals who get the redness after drinking alcohol are at greater risk for developing esophageal cancer. About eight percent of the world’s population has this genetic condition (Thanks, Mom and Dad), where the body lacks an enzyme that properly breaks down alcohol. This missing enzyme called aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 metabolizes alcohol into acetate, which is non-toxic - so the remaining 92 percent of the world can drink with normal facial color. But when I drink, the alcohol turns into acetaldehyde, which is a chemical that causes DNA damage and has cancer-promoting effects. That causes the facial flush, according to scientists from NIAAA. Researchers whose work was published this week in PLoS Medicine say that people who have the facial flush and continue to drink are six to 10 times more likely to develop esophageal cancer, compared with someone without the genetic condition who is drinking the same amount. And esophageal cancer carries a five-year survival rate of 12 to 31 percent. For Lent, I gave up alcohol and I don’t miss the headaches, redness, or vomiting. So this might become permanent, because I think my body is trying to tell me something. Do you have strange reactions to alcohol? How do you deal with it? And has this deterred you from drinking? Editor's Note: Medical news is a popular but sensitive subject rooted in science. We receive many comments on this blog each day; not all are posted. Our hope is that much will be learned from the sharing of useful information and personal experiences based on the medical and health topics of the blog. We encourage you to focus your comments on those medical and health topics and we appreciate your input. Thank you for your participation.
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Get a behind-the-scenes look at the latest stories from CNN Chief Medical Correspondent, Dr. Sanjay Gupta, Senior Medical Correspondent Elizabeth Cohen and the CNN Medical Unit producers. They'll share news and views on health and medical trends - info that will help you take better care of yourself and the people you love. Recent Comments
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I am a 24 year old female of Russian and Dutch descent and I used to just get a little fluch after having a few drings but in the last year if i take even 1 sip of alcohol my face turns bright red and hot and its almost like i can feel my heart beat in my gums. I have never used alcohol irresponsibly in the past and it would be nice to have a few drinks every now and again without turning into a lobster. I just dont understand why I am the only russian in the worls who cant have a drink... I just want an answer.
Hi Chelsea, I am also of Russian descent (on both Mother and Father sides) I get very red and hot in my face when I drink alcohol, very uncomfortable and embarrassing, I do not drink much or often and sometimes although rarely I do not have a reaction at all. I do not feel the rapid heartbeat probably because I am on a calcium channel blocker due to a heart arrythmia. I wonder if there is a link between our Russian descent because when my Mother was alive she told me that many many years ago because Russia borders Mongolia there were many Mongolian/Russian marriages and susequent children so we probably have Asian blood in our lineage. I wonder if this is the "Asian Flush" that ther refer too?? Good luck!! I hope we find something that we can safely take to minimize this!! I sure would like to be able to have a little champagne on New Years Eve!!
i am 27 years old male of Nepal. I am having a problem of heart beat. My face turns red, heart beats and start to sweat. I cannot face the mass. I am having such problem from my child hood. I tried to recover it by thinking of nervousness. But I think it will always not be the cause of nervousness. What is the cause of this problem could u tell me solution ASAP?
I have drank alcohol every day 20 years, and always get flushed. I am still alive. Live for tommorrow and you are a day too late.
I have this problem but understand it is an allergic reaction. If I take a shower it clears up. I have never spoken to a doctor about it, but if I was that concerned about it I would just stop drinking. Although I am a regular drinker I do not feel compelled to invest time into this as it cuts into my drinking time.