According to studies, laboratory examinations are 60-80% helpful in establishing a diagnosis.Of course, this is not the only thing that influences the diagnosis.In order to achieve this, it is necessary to compare the patient's complete history and accompanying symptoms, but without tests, the diagnosis is almost impossible, because they allow to see the full picture.Therefore, it is extremely important to ensure that nothing interferes with the test results, as this will interfere with an accurate diagnosis.
Alcohol is one of the factors that can make diagnosis difficult and seriously affect test results.Below we describe in more detail the reasons why its use is strictly not recommended before such medical procedures.
Effect of alcohol on blood tests
It has been scientifically proven that ethyl acts on the human body as a potent poison.When an adult consumes even a small amount of the drink, the immune system is activated, which attacks the harmful substance and tries to neutralize it.Protective reactions are activated aimed at quickly removing toxins and combating harmful effects.Under the influence of decay products, the chemical and qualitative composition of blood, seminal fluid, and urine changes.The immune system is weakened, as blood cells are destroyed, their membranes are destroyed, and the blood coagulates, forming blood clots.The kidneys and liver begin to work harder.Their cells are destroyed, lipid-fat metabolism is disrupted, and severe intoxication occurs.The poison is not quickly removed from the body.Depending on the metabolic rate, this process lasts from two to three to seven days.
Of course, these processes significantly affect blood, urine and sperm tests.They do not allow you to see the true picture of what is happening in the body without the influence of ethanol.In addition, the breakdown products of ethyl alcohol can react with substances used in laboratory research.It also makes it difficult to accurately determine the presence of the disease and confuses medical professionals.
When it enters the stomach, the alcohol poison is first absorbed into the blood and causes changes in it that last for several days.As a result, blood cell membranes are damaged, blood clots form, hemoglobin and sugar levels decrease, and cholesterol increases.All of this increases the likelihood of misdiagnosis.The doctor may not recognize such serious diseases as diabetes and anemia, and may not detect the inflammatory process in time.
In addition, alcohol has an extremely negative effect on the biochemical composition of the blood, disrupting the concentration of micro- and macroelements, minerals and metals.The concentration of lactic and uric acid increases, which will also spoil the results of biochemical analysis.Calcium, magnesium, phosphorus are washed out.When taking samples from a vein, this is even more important for an accurate representation of the patient's condition.
Alcoholic beverages also alter hormone levels, increasing stress hormones, as ethanol affects the adrenal and thyroid glands.These glands are responsible for the production of important hormones.Deviations from the normal level of these hormones can indicate serious diseases that require timely treatment.
Due to reduced immunity, a false positive result for viral infections such as hepatitis and HIV is possible.Therefore, if the recommendations are not followed, it is better to warn the doctor about it and postpone the procedure for another day.
It is interesting that different types of strong drinks have different effects on the body.For example, dark beer increases hemoglobin due to its high iron content.This means that the doctor will not be able to determine the presence of anemia, if it exists.
Thus, the doctor may miss the presence of such serious diseases as malignant neoplasms, diabetes, hepatitis and HIV infections, etc.For this reason, it is not recommended to drink strong drinks two to three days before the test.
Among other things, during a hangover, a person is too weak and dehydrated, and because of this, he can get worse after the procedure, lose consciousness, have nausea and vomiting.
The effect of alcohol on urine analysis
Alcohol and its breakdown products remain in the urine much longer than in the blood.How long alcohol stays in the urine depends on individual characteristics, including metabolism.Still, it's better to play it safe and not drink for five to seven days before the test than to get inaccurate results.
During alcohol poisoning, the concentration of uric and lactic acid increases, which significantly impairs the results.Glucose readings will also not match reality.Glucose is created in the liver, which is known to be the first to be injured.
The kidneys, whose job it is to clean up, will work hard to complete their task.It will actively get rid of the breakdown products of alcohol poisoning, which will lead to their high concentration in the urine.However, you should not try to speed up the process of removing toxins from the urine by using diuretics.This will really help speed up cleansing, but it will lead to more dehydration, additional stress on the kidneys and increased concentration of urine, and it will still not be possible to completely remove harmful substances.
The influence of alcohol on the spermogram
Semen is a highly volatile liquid that is easily affected by toxins found in recreational beverages.The main indication for a spermogram is infertility.Since alcohol greatly affects the sperm's ability to fertilize, consumption of this product is highly undesirable before this procedure.
Due to exposure to ethanol in seminal fluid, the number of live spermatozoa decreases, their mobility decreases, the number of spermatozoa decreases and the number of defective cells increases.This leads to deterioration of the sperm count, so it is not recommended to drink for seven days beforehand.
Even low-alcohol drinks have an effect, because even a small amount of ethanol worsens the condition of sperm.Beer is especially harmful to men's health.Despite the low percentage of alcohol, this drink is dangerous because it contains phytoestrogens.This substance is a herbal analogue of the female hormone, the excess of which negatively affects male reproductive cells.
If a defective sperm fertilizes an egg, then fetal pathologies, miscarriages and mutations are possible.Therefore, ethyl harms not only the indicators, but also prevents the conception of a healthy child.You should avoid it while planning pregnancy to avoid such consequences.
What can the test results be if you do not follow the recommendations?
Drinking even a small dose of ethyl alcohol before taking samples for laboratory testing greatly distorts the results.As noted above, this leads to misdiagnosis.The specialist may not notice serious diseases and may not prescribe the necessary treatment in time.It is also likely that the wrong treatment will be prescribed, which will lead to a worsening of the condition.Untimely treatment of some diseases sometimes leads to irreversible consequences and a state in which the treatment will no longer have an effect.
It is possible that the doctor will make a false diagnosis of a viral or infectious disease due to reduced immunity and prescribe unnecessary treatment, which will only harm the patient.It is especially dangerous to consume alcohol before surgery, because it is not known how an intoxicated person will react to the intervention itself, to anesthesia.In addition, doctors risk making mistakes during surgery, relying on inaccurate data obtained while the patient is hungover.Such mistakes can have dire consequences.
How to prepare for the test
Most blood tests are done in the morning after eight to twelve hours of fasting.Alcohol and tests: impact on results.sati.During this time you can only drink water.You must abstain from alcohol for two to three days.It is forbidden to smoke one hour before the test.It is also necessary to exclude possible jumps in hormones due to stress or overexertion, and not to take medication.
Before the hormone test, it is extremely important to abstain from food for eight to twelve hours, and a few days before the procedure to exclude fatty, sweet, carbonated drinks and drinks containing alcohol from the diet.Physical activity, chewing gum, caffeine and tobacco products are prohibited on this day.It is recommended to avoid stress and emotional overload.You can take it no later than five days after the X-ray and ultrasound.When determining the sugar level, it is also forbidden to brush your teeth.
Before donating urine, it is not recommended to eat food that is dyed with a different color, or to drink diuretics.Immediately before collection, it is necessary to perform genital hygiene.It is better for women not to get tested during menstruation.The first part of urine collected is the first urination after waking up.
One week before the spermogram, you should give up alcohol.It is recommended to refrain from ejaculation and smoking for three days.This will allow you to determine the quantity and quality of sperm in the seminal fluid as accurately as possible.