Year-End Season: Severe Hangovers Might Be an Early Sign of Cancer.

Alcohol is a non-toxic substance that undergoes two stages of decomposition in the body after consumption. Initially, in the liver, alcohol is broken down into acetaldehyde by alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH), and subsequently, acetaldehyde is further broken down into acetic acid and water by acetaldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH), eliminating its toxicity.

 

Severe hangovers can occur for various reasons, including liver diseases, physiological changes, and more, apart from cancer.

 

However, the toxicity of the intermediate product, acetaldehyde, is extremely lethal. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), under the World Health Organization (WHO), categorizes this substance as a Group 1 carcinogen, increasing the risk of various cancers such as stomach, oral, pharyngeal, laryngeal, esophageal, liver, colorectal, and breast cancers. According to studies, the risk of cancer increases 2-3 times when consuming 50g of alcohol per day.

 

The relationship between hangovers and cancer is a noteworthy topic. The culprit behind hangovers, acetaldehyde, may serve as evidence that its effective breakdown within the body is compromised or exceeds the breakdown capacity as hangovers become more severe. Research indicates that individuals who frequently experience severe hangovers have a 1.3 times higher risk of cancer compared to those who do not experience hangovers.

 

Moreover, cancer itself can exacerbate hangovers due to the limited ability to effectively break down acetaldehyde. There have been cases where patients experienced unusual symptoms when drinking alcohol, such as quicker intoxication, bodily pain, rashes, vomiting, and severe hangovers. Ignoring these symptoms, a patient eventually vomited blood and underwent detailed examinations at the hospital, resulting in a diagnosis of Hodgkin's lymphoma.

 

Severe hangovers can occur for various reasons, including liver diseases, physiological changes, and more, apart from cancer. Therefore, in cases of persistent or severe hangovers, consultation with a specialist and undergoing precise examinations is necessary. The deep connection between alcohol consumption and the onset of cancer prompts us to reconsider our drinking habits, emphasizing the need for careful choices for a healthy life.