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Can Alcohol Cause Polycythemia?

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Posted on Wed, 20 Jun 2012
Question: can drinking guinness over the years cause Polycythemia?
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Answered by Dr. Robert Galamaga (48 minutes later)
Hello and thanks for the query.

The short answer to your question is no. However we must consider the specifics of your query.

Guiness as you know contains alcohol. If you consume one or two pints a week then certainly it is unlikely to have a detrimental effect. If however you consume this beverage daily it may have long term effects on your liver. It does not however have a direct link to polycythemia.

There is a much stronger link of polycythemia to smoking. If you happen to smoke then this may be a consideration.

Alcohol is generally not considered to be a risk factor for developing polycythemia.

I thank you again for the query. I hope this response has been clear an informative. If you have additional concerns I would be happy to address them.

Sincerely,

De. Galamaga
Note: In case of any other concern or query related to prevention, evaluation, diagnosis, treatment, or the recovery of persons with the any type of addiction or substance use, follow up with our Addiction Medicine Specialist. Click here to book a consultation now.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D
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Answered by
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Dr. Robert Galamaga

Oncologist

Practicing since :2002

Answered : 2635 Questions

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Can Alcohol Cause Polycythemia?

Hello and thanks for the query.

The short answer to your question is no. However we must consider the specifics of your query.

Guiness as you know contains alcohol. If you consume one or two pints a week then certainly it is unlikely to have a detrimental effect. If however you consume this beverage daily it may have long term effects on your liver. It does not however have a direct link to polycythemia.

There is a much stronger link of polycythemia to smoking. If you happen to smoke then this may be a consideration.

Alcohol is generally not considered to be a risk factor for developing polycythemia.

I thank you again for the query. I hope this response has been clear an informative. If you have additional concerns I would be happy to address them.

Sincerely,

De. Galamaga