The Surgeon General has recently released an advisory on Alcohol and Cancer Risk. In summary, the advisory describes the scientific evidence for the causal link between alcohol consumption and increased risk for at least seven different types of cancer, including breast (in women), colorectal, esophageal, pharyngeal, liver, mouth and throat cancers. It also offers new guidelines on the consumption of alcohol.
To read the entire advisory, go to: https://www.hhs.gov/surgeongeneral/priorities/alcohol-cancer/index.html
These advisories apply to the general public, but it got me wondering how alcohol may affect people with Myasthenia Gravis. I went to my good friend, ChatGPT and learned alcohol can potentially affect individuals with MG in several ways:
- Muscle Relaxation and Weakness: Alcohol has a depressant effect on the central nervous system and can cause muscle relaxation. For people with MG, this can exacerbate muscle weakness, especially when consumed in large amounts.
- Interactions with Medications: Alcohol can interact with MG medications such as anti-cholinesterase inhibitors like Mestinon, immunosuppressants like corticosteroids, and monoclonal antibodies, either negating the effects of the medications or in creating unwanted reactions.
- Fatigue: Alcohol consumption can contribute to fatigue, which is already common and challenging for individuals with MG.
- Impact on Breathing and Swallowing: Since MG affects muscles used for breathing and swallowing, alcohol’s relaxing effects could worsen respiratory function or increase the risk of choking.
I’m not trying to tell people how to live their lives. It’s up to each person to decide if they want to drink alcohol and how much to drink, but the possible effects on MG patients and the depth of the Surgeon General’s advisory to the general public are, to put it short, a little scary.
Maybe it’s time for everyone to review their drinking habits and decide what’s right for you. At the very least, be honest with your doctor as to how much alcohol you actually consume. I realize it’s embarrassing to discuss your personal habits with anyone, but an accurate response to your doctor’s questions about alcohol consumption are extremely important. Your doctor is the one that is developing a treatment plan for you. They can’t accurately do that if they’re receiving input that is less than accurate.
I also realize studies and advisories come out all the time on a whole host of subjects. If we followed every one of them, we’d never eat or drink anything. I sense this one is different. I remember back in the day when they first came out with advisories that smoking could cause lung cancer. It helped some to quit, but not enough. Both of my parents died from lung cancer from years of heavy smoking. They didn’t have enough incentive to quit, but smoking ultimately claimed their lives.
I encourage everyone to read the advisory and decide for yourself. Just be honest with your doctor the next time they ask about how much alcohol you actually consume. Someday you’ll be thankful you did.