Can Alcohol Cause Shortness of Breath?

Robert Gerchalk

Robert is our health care professional reviewer of this website. He worked for many years in mental health and substance abuse facilities in Florida, as well as in home health (medical and psychiatric), and took care of people with medical and addictions problems at The Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore. He has a nursing and business/technology degrees from The Johns Hopkins University.

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Can Alcoholism Cause Shortness Of Breath?

It’s a common question asked by many people struggling with alcoholism. Can alcoholism cause shortness of breath? The answer is complex, and ultimately it depends on the individual case.

There are a few potential ways that alcoholism could lead to shortness of breath. First, alcoholics are often malnourished. Their diets may be unbalanced, and they may not be getting the nutrients they need. This can lead to a condition called kwashiorkor, which can cause shortness of breath.

Secondly, alcoholism can lead to liver damage. The liver is responsible for processing toxins in the body, and when it’s damaged, those toxins can build up and cause shortness of breath.third, alcoholism can cause problems with the lungs. Alcoholics may experience something called “alcoholic lung,” which is a condition in which the lungs become inflamed and filled with fluid. This can obviously lead to shortness of breath.

Ultimately, whether or not alcoholism causes shortness of breath in a particular individual depends on that person’s unique situation. However, there are definitely some ways in which it could lead to this symptom.