Alcohol pain is a pain in the lymph node region, which occurs after at or after drinking alcohol. It is a typical symptom of Hodgkin’s disease, a malignant cancer of the lymph nodes.
What is alcohol pain?
The term alcohol pain refers to a very specific symptom of Hodgkin’s disease. In this disease, cancer cells attack the entire body starting from the lymph nodes in the armpit, neck, groin region or from the chest. In medical parlance, the term alcohol pain refers to a very specific symptom of malignant lymphoma. It rarely occurs, but when it does, it is said to be very typical of the disease. However, the exact connection between symptom and disease cannot be explained, which is why, in order to avoid scaremongering, the following statements should be considered with reservations. Nevertheless, every person who notices such alcohol pain in himself should see a doctor to get to the bottom of the matter with a simple blood test.
Causes
Hodgkin’s disease is a gustatory disease in which cancer cells can spread throughout the body from the lymph nodes of the neck, armpit, groin, or chest, leading to a variety of different symptoms. The exact causes of the disease are still not clear: It is assumed that there is a connection with Epstein-Barr viruses, which also trigger glandular fever and are present in 95% of all adults. Suppression or weakening of the immune system as a precursor to cancer development is also being discussed. The age structure of Hodgkin’s patients shows two frequency peaks, a large one in the third decade of life and another somewhat smaller one in the seventh decade. Thus, younger people are also affected, men somewhat more often than women. It is unclear why Hodgkin’s lymphoma ultimately leads to alcoholic pain. However, it is certain that this symptom only occurs in a small percentage of Hodgkin’s patients. Then, however, it may be a typical early symptom, which in any case would not be described in this form for any other disease.
Diseases with this symptom
- Hodgkin’s disease (Hodgkin’s lymphoma)
Diagnosis and course
As typical of alcohol pain, many affected people describe that it already occurs with the first sip of alcohol and then often quickly subsides. The pain can appear, for example, as shoulder or throat pain, which often can not be properly classified for a long time. However, anyone who notices the connection with alcohol consumption should have the matter clarified by a doctor at some point. Otherwise Hodgkin’s disease shows a variety of manifestations, the diagnosis is often unnecessarily delayed for a long time by uncharacteristic symptoms that are not taken seriously. Non-painful and suddenly noticeable swelling of the lymph nodes in the neck or armpit are frequent reasons for the initial presentation to the doctor. Furthermore, the so-called “B-symptoms” such as fever, night sweats and unexplained weight loss of more than 10 percent of body weight can occur within six months. Reduced performance, swelling of the spleen or liver and itching as well as other skin symptoms may also occur as the disease progresses. In the late stage of organ infestation, all manifestations are possible in principle.
Complications
Alcohol pain, occurring as a symptom in Hodgkin’s disease, can lead to various complications. If left untreated, the pain initially intensifies and may spread to other areas of the body. If initially usually only the neck or shoulder area is affected, the underlying disease of the lymphatic system later spreads to the groin region and into the abdomen. Accompanying complications include fever, severe pain and night sweats. In addition, severe weight loss can be observed within a short period of time. This is accompanied by reduced performance, itching and other symptoms. In some cases, swelling of internal organs such as the liver and spleen may also occur. In the further course, disturbances of the nervous system and hormonal balance occur, and the urogenital tract is also affected. As a consequence of the tumor disease, the immune system is also weakened, and fungal and viral infections, tuberculosis and paraneoplastic syndromes predominate.Last but not least, alcohol pain is also associated with skin diseases such as pemphigus and ichthyosis and sensory, motor and autonomic neuropathies. The nerve damage, in turn, can lead to other diseases, autoimmune damage, and other complications. Because of the variety of complications that can accompany alcohol pain, early evaluation by a physician is recommended. The underlying disease Hodgkin’s disease promises a high chance of cure if diagnosed early.
When should you see a doctor?
Alcohol pain should generally be clarified by a physician. However, it should first be clarified whether it is actually alcohol pain caused by the lymph gland disease Hodgkin’s disease. If the pain occurs mainly in the shoulder and neck area and is accompanied by unusual skin symptoms such as itching or pallor, it is probably the disease – a visit to the doctor is urgently recommended in this case. Also, if the pain can be observed specifically after the consumption of alcoholic beverages, there may be a serious underlying cause that requires clarification. The same applies if the complaints occur suddenly or worsen rapidly in the course of the disease. As a general rule, if a connection with alcohol consumption can be established, a medical professional must clarify the symptoms. If not treated, the underlying Hodgkin’s disease can lead to serious accompanying symptoms. A physician should also be consulted if swelling occurs in the armpit or neck, or if there are accompanying night sweats and rapid weight loss. Reduced performance, swelling of the spleen and liver, and itching or redness are further warning signs. In case of severe pain in the neck and shoulder region, possibly accompanied by dizziness and motor disturbances, an emergency physician should be alerted immediately. The underlying disease promises high chances of recovery, provided it is diagnosed early. A physician should generally be consulted in the event of alcohol-related illness.
Treatment and therapy
If an alcohol-related pain that has been noticed on and off for perhaps weeks leads to a doctor, the doctor will first take a detailed medical history, i.e., ask questions about the circumstances of the pain, other complaints and previous illnesses, and possible cancer in the family. The physical examination then focuses primarily on the usual suspicious lymph node stations in the neck, groin and axilla, as well as the liver, spleen and skin symptoms. Since lymph node swelling is detectable in almost 90 percent of cases, but not always, a blood test can then be performed to look for changes in the number of blood cells and elevated levels of inflammation. If all this is unremarkable, Hodgkin’s disease becomes very unlikely. The decision for further imaging diagnostics such as a CT of the chest is necessary in individual cases, depending on the medical history and previous findings. Definitive proof of Hodgkin’s lymphoma can only be obtained by biopsy, i.e., tissue sampling of a suspicious lymph node. Hogdkin’s disease is treated with extensive chemotherapy and often radiation therapy. Incidentally, it was one of the first cancers for which treatment was available. Accordingly, medical research has now come so far that Hodgkin’s disease, which was once incurable, can now be treated with good success.
Outlook and prognosis
The prognosis of alcoholic pain is strongly related to the underlying cause. If Hodgkin’s disease is indeed present, the outlook is very poor without medical treatment, and four out of five affected individuals die within the first three years after diagnosis. With adequate treatment, however, the prognosis is very good and approximately eighty percent of those affected can be cured. If the disease is diagnosed at a very early stage, cure rates of over ninety percent can even be achieved. If the reason for the alcohol pain is an allergy or an intolerance, the affected person may have to abstain from alcohol for the rest of his or her life and is thus somewhat restricted in his or her quality of life. However, a reduction in life expectancy or further problems are not to be expected. The outlook in this case is therefore very good. Other causes of alcoholic pain are very rare. For a prognosis, it is best to consult the responsible physician in such cases.
Prevention
However, an early start of treatment is very important for the chances of success. So anyone who notices pain in certain areas of the body after drinking wine or beer should at least talk to their family doctor about it once.
What you can do yourself
Since alcohol pain is a symptom of a severe lymph gland disorder, the only treatment available is usually a visit to the doctor. Affected people can at least reduce the discomfort by avoiding alcohol and other stimulants. A diet rich in raw foods also offers the possibility of purifying the lymphatic vessels and thus alleviating the pain. Accompanying the treatment of the causative Hodgkin’s disease, a change of lifestyle and eating habits is recommended. The change, which should be discussed with the treating physician beforehand, includes regular exercise, avoiding unhealthy foods, and reducing stress. The causative alcohol disorder can be treated by avoidance strategies and gradually worked through by talking to friends and family members. In everyday life, alcohol pain can be relieved by a wide variety of home remedies. Natural pain relievers include cloves, olive oil and cumin tea, as well as a relaxing bath, the application of saline solutions or a hot water bottle in the area of the lymph nodes. In the short term, pain can also be reduced by exercise and distraction. In the long term, alcohol pain and its cause always require professional treatment by a doctor.