Alcohol

But, I'm wondering, does alcohol increase or exacerbate inflammation? I'm a bit late to the party, but thought I'd resurrect this thread and a shot at this question. CC, if you're asking for a general answer, I think the best response is simply no. Alcohol does a lot of things, and of course the amount and speed at which you consume it can have a huge effect on the end result. But assuming that you are consuming modest amounts (less than 3-4 drinks at a sitting) you aren't going to worsen inflammation in the musculoskeletal system. I am not a physiologist (I'm a general internist) so if you want a very specific logical argument I can't give it to you. What I've laid out is pretty much common sense. For most of us with healthy kidneys and livers, it is going to be very uncommon to experience significant side effects from tylenol or NSAID's. That is, if you take them in recommended doses. You can put yourself at risk from NSAID's if you are severly dehydrated and then take a stiff dose. And you can easily kill your liver with tylenol- if you take about 10-20 grams at once. BTW, the labeled doses for ibuprofen and Alleve are very cautious- if I ever really need help I double the recommended dose. So since our beverages aren't going to aggravate our shoulder symptoms, lets have some fun this weekend!

But, I'm wondering, does alcohol increase or exacerbate inflammation? I'm a bit late to the party, but thought I'd resurrect this thread and a shot at this question. CC, if you're asking for a general answer, I think the best response is simply no. Alcohol does a lot of things, and of course the amount and speed at which you consume it can have a huge effect on the end result. But assuming that you are consuming modest amounts (less than 3-4 drinks at a sitting) you aren't going to worsen inflammation in the musculoskeletal system. I am not a physiologist (I'm a general internist) so if you want a very specific logical argument I can't give it to you. What I've laid out is pretty much common sense. For most of us with healthy kidneys and livers, it is going to be very uncommon to experience significant side effects from tylenol or NSAID's. That is, if you take them in recommended doses. You can put yourself at risk from NSAID's if you are severly dehydrated and then take a stiff dose. And you can easily kill your liver with tylenol- if you take about 10-20 grams at once. BTW, the labeled doses for ibuprofen and Alleve are very cautious- if I ever really need help I double the recommended dose. So since our beverages aren't going to aggravate our shoulder symptoms, lets have some fun this weekend!