A universal folk remedy for all diseases, as you know, is alcohol. Cognac is indispensable for gourmets, the broad masses resort to vodka, and the most severe use only moonshine. It is believed that with a cold, this method will put on its feet in a matter of hours. But in fact, is it possible to drink alcohol at a temperature?
Folk wisdom and contradictions
The experience gained by generations of people is reflected in proverbs and sayings. Remembering the famous proverbs, one can come to a disappointing conclusion regarding the effectiveness of alcoholic beverages in diseases. No wonder they say: "Vodka is not treated, but only crippled."
Nevertheless, the question of whether it is possible to drink alcohol at a temperature arises time after time. And to this day there are many people who are convinced that it is better not to find a cure for fever. It is believed that strong booze is effective both with mild symptoms and with severe flu, when a person literally does not get out of bed.
And what is the treatment?
If you ask friends about effective drugs, then they usually recommend being treated with vodka, which is combined with:
- honey
- mustard;
- hot pepper;
- lemon
- spicy spices;
- garlic.
To the question of whether it is possible to drink alcohol at a temperature, most people will answer positively - whether there are discrepancies in the question of what are the permissible doses. Some will recommend taking the universal remedy one-time, in one gulp swallowing half a glass or even a whole. Others advise the drink to sip in small portions throughout the day. Surely both those and others will be able to give many examples and arguments from life, proving that it is their option that is the most effective.
But how really?
And what will the doctors answer if we ask specialists about whether it is possible to drink alcohol at a temperature? The answer will be the same: in no case. Ethyl alcohol is a strong toxic substance that inhibits the activity of body cells. In addition, the components of the drink bind the active active ingredients of the drugs. Consequently, medications become ineffective, and their side effects are much stronger.
In any disease, the risk of exacerbations puts almost any alcohol in a ban. The common cold, as well as all the diseases associated with it, will not be an exception.
The danger of alcohol
Alcohol in the blood disrupts the functioning of tissues and organs. A particularly strong influence is exerted on:
- brain;
- spinal cord;
- liver;
- cardiovascular system.
Atrophic processes begin in the tissues of organs, intensifying with regular consumption of alcohol.
There is an opinion that it is possible to occasionally drink small doses in small doses. In fact, even a small amount of ethanol sometimes leads to irreversible changes in the brain. The functioning of the pancreas is weakening, tissues cannot regenerate correctly. The structure of proteins is violated, their synthesis is suppressed. With increasing doses, a person is faced with various diseases, as well as problems of a social and psychological nature.
When wondering whether it is possible to drink alcohol at a temperature of 37, people usually recall the wisdom known since ancient times: even poison is useful if the dose is small. However, whether this applies to alcohol is a big question.
Scientific experiments
Clinical trials have been conducted to determine the effects of alcohol on people with colds. Organized by Carnegie Mellon University of Pennsylvania. The event took place in 1993. The main task was to determine whether the body's resistance to viruses and infections that cause SARS is increased against the background of drinking alcohol.
To understand whether it is possible to drink alcohol at a temperature of 38, as well as to determine the benefit or prove its absence, scientists created two groups of volunteers. In total, 390 people took part in the study, among whom there were cold and healthy people. As a "therapeutic" used a dose of 2 ounces (57 ml) - this is exactly the amount of whiskey that usually amounts to one serving. As the results showed, if a person was already sick, such a “treatment” does not give an effect. However, it was also noted that healthy people who consumed alcohol during the experiment did not get sick.
Is there any benefit?
When figuring out whether alcohol can be used for colds and temperatures, it’s worth remembering that alcohol is a good disinfectant. Only one glass effectively destroys bacteria, viruses, microbes trying to multiply on the mucous membranes of the mouth. Yes, alcohol treatment is not possible, but there is some benefit from drinking strong drinks.
Is it possible to drink alcohol at a temperature of 37.5 when a person is already sick? Here the answer is strictly negative. When an infection has occurred, this affects primarily the mucous membranes: they swell, become inflamed. Surface treatment with ethyl alcohol leads to an increase in negative processes.
Hot drinks cause frequent urination and contribute to dehydration. This leads to fluid loss by mucous tissues, which become even more susceptible to pathogenic microorganisms. When the temperature rises, the body suffers greatly from the activity of microbes and the toxins they produce. Tissues, internal organs can hardly cope with the elimination of waste products of harmful viruses and bacteria. The additional load in the form of a glass of alcohol only complicates the situation and slows down the healing process.
What and how is it possible?
So, completely incompatible concepts are alcohol and temperature. Can I drink vodka for prevention? Here it is worth recalling all the same Paracelsian wisdom: in small doses, poison can be useful. But only in small ones!
If a person has severe chills, feels chills, or notices the first signs of an approaching illness, he can afford a small amount of a strong drink. However, doctors do not recommend using vodka as a medicine. Red wine is much more effective and useful. It is he who interferes in hot tea, adds spices and drinks a drink before bedtime.
Recipe:
- Cup of tea;
- a spoon of honey;
- 50-75 ml of wine.
Dry red is preferred.
Can I drink alcohol at a temperature of 37.2? Since this is only the beginning of the disease, the following drink is used as a medicinal measure: they heat vermouth, sweeten with honey.
It so happened that in our country, men do not consider any alcohol weaker than vodka for a strong drink. As a prophylaxis, it is permissible, although not recommended, to use the following recipe: add a pinch of red hot pepper to 50 ml of vodka, heat and drink. As soon as you take such a folk medicine, go to bed immediately.
Or is it not worth it?
For people who care about their health, the question of whether alcohol can be used for colds and fever is really important. What are the risks associated with this treatment?
The skin is quite affected. The vessels expand, due to which the blood flow increases and the person feels heat. In this case, it is the skin that heats up, and the blood, in turn, effectively gives off heat, which leads to a decrease in the temperature of the body as a whole. That is, drinking alcohol in the disease, thereby a person increases the already significant heat loss, which further weakens the body.
Remember that alcohol, although it is a disinfectant, does not affect viruses in any way - it is very difficult to kill them. In particular, the influenza virus is immune to the negative effects of strong drinks. Drinking, on the contrary, weakens the body, which gives the disease the ability to activate even more. Often, regular intake of alcoholic beverages with influenza leads to serious complications.
In addition, the use of alcohol provokes:
- stroke;
- heart attack;
- relapse of chronic diseases;
- paralysis;
- problems with blood vessels, veins;
- violation of the temperature regime of the body.
According to doctors, the combination of alcohol and the common cold is a kind of “explosive mixture”, since you can never predict what the results of such treatment will be. If the body is strong, it may be possible to avoid unpleasant consequences, but there are no guarantees. A much more reliable method of treatment is time-tested medications, which are monitored by a doctor.