Sedative Effects
Alcohol, as you probably already know from experience, is a sedative.
It helps to relax your body and has the potential to impact your sleep.
to get to function and enjoy your quality of life, limiting or eliminating alcohol might make sense.
Lumina Images / Getty Images
This also includes patients who are experiencing oral mucositis or mouth sores.
Drinking alcohol can worsen this side effect significantly.
Strain on the Liver
Many chemotherapy drugs are excreted from your body via your liver.
The toxic effects of these drugs can put a real strain on the liver.
Do you should probably Avoid Alcohol Completely?
So do you gotta avoid alcohol altogether?
Your practitioner or healthcare provider is the best person to advise you on this matter.
Different blood cancers may have very different courses.
For the most part, it is recommended that you avoid drinking while you are undergoing treatment.
If this is absolutely unacceptable to you, using small amounts in moderation may be approved by your specialist.
Stopping alcohol abruptly can lead to serious health effects.
Doesnt Alcohol Have Health Benefits?
Many studies have indeed suggested that health benefits might be associated with drinking in moderation.
During treatment, alcohol can certainly have an effect on your therapy by contributing to and worsening side effects.
Frequently Asked Questions
It depends.
It is generally recommended that you avoid alcohol while undergoing cancer treatment.
Alcohol can also worsen the side effects of cancer treatments.
It is not a good idea to drink alcohol while taking immunosuppressant drugs.
Alcohol can hinder your immune system, interact negatively with certain medications, and increase side effects.
Talk to your doctor about whether or not it is safe to drink on the medication you are taking.
2017;52(3):289-297. doi:10.1093/alcalc/agx006
MD Anderson Cancer Center.How radiation therapy may affect your daily routine.
