According to studies, laboratory tests are 60 to 80% useful in establishing a diagnosis.Of course, this is not the only element that influences the diagnosis.To do this, it is necessary to compare the patient's complete medical history and accompanying symptoms, but without tests the diagnosis is almost impossible, as they provide an overview.Therefore, it is extremely important to ensure that nothing interferes with the test results, as this could 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.
The effect of alcohol on blood tests
It has been scientifically proven that ethyl acts on the human body as a powerful poison.When consuming even a small amount of an adult beverage, the immune system is activated, attacking the harmful substance and trying to neutralize it.Protective reactions are activated aimed at quickly eliminating 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 clots, forming blood clots.The kidneys and liver begin to work harder.Their cells are destroyed, lipid-fat metabolism is disrupted and severe poisoning occurs.The poison is not eliminated from the body quickly.Depending on the metabolic rate, this process lasts from two to three to seven days.
Of course, these processes significantly affect blood, urine and semen tests.They do not allow us to have a real idea of what is happening in the body without the influence of ethanol.Additionally, 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 diseases and sows confusion among medical personnel.
Once in the stomach, the alcohol poison is first absorbed into the bloodstream and causes changes 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 this increases the likelihood of incorrect diagnoses.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, distorting the concentration of micro- and macroelements, minerals and metals.The concentration of lactic and uric acids increases, which will also spoil the results of biochemical analysis.Calcium, magnesium and phosphorus are eliminated.When sampling from a vein, this is even more important to accurately describe the patient's condition.
Beverages containing alcohol also change hormonal levels, increasing stress hormones, as ethanol affects the functioning of the adrenal glands and thyroid gland.These glands are responsible for producing important hormones.Deviations from the normal level of these hormones can indicate serious illnesses requiring prompt treatment.
Due to decreased 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 notify the doctor 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 levels due to its high iron content.This means that the doctor will not be able to determine the presence of anemia, if any.
Thus, the doctor can ignore the presence of such serious diseases as malignant tumors, diabetes, hepatitis and HIV infections, etc.For this reason, it is not recommended to drink strong drinks two or three days before the test.
Among other things, during a hangover, a person is too weak and dehydrated and therefore may feel worse after the procedure, lose consciousness, feel nauseous and vomit.
The effect of alcohol on urinalysis
Alcohol and its breakdown products remain in urine much longer than in blood.How long alcohol remains in urine depends on individual characteristics, including metabolism.However, it is better to play it safe and not drink for five to seven days before the test rather than getting incorrect results.
During alcohol poisoning, the concentration of uric and lactic acids increases, which significantly distorts the results.Glucose readings will also not match reality.Glucose is formed in the liver, which is known to be the first to be injured.
The kidneys, whose job it is to clean, will work hard to accomplish their task.They will actively get rid of the breakdown products of alcohol poison, which will lead to their high concentration in urine.However, you should not try to speed up the process of removing toxins from your urine using diuretics.This will indeed help speed up cleansing, but will lead to more serious dehydration, additional stress on the kidneys and an increase in concentration in urine, and it will still not be possible to completely remove harmful substances.
The effect of alcohol on the spermogram
Semen is a highly volatile liquid that is easily affected by toxins found in recreational drinks.The main indication for a spermogram is infertility.Since alcohol greatly affects the fertilization capacity of the seed, it is strongly not recommended to consume this product before this procedure.
Due to exposure to ethanol present in seminal fluid, the number of viable sperm decreases, their motility decreases, the number of sperm decreases, and the number of defective cells increases.This leads to a deterioration in sperm count, so drinking beforehand for seven days is not recommended.
Even low-alcohol drinks have an effect, because even low ethanol worsens the condition of sperm.Beer is particularly harmful to men's health.Despite the low percentage of alcohol, this drink is dangerous because it contains phytoestrogens.This substance is a plant analogue of the female hormone, the excess of which negatively affects male reproductive cells.
If a defective sperm fertilizes an egg, fetal pathologies, miscarriages and mutations are possible.Therefore, ethyl not only harms the indicators, but also prevents the conception of a healthy child.You should avoid it when planning a pregnancy to avoid such consequences.
What can be the test results if you do not follow the recommendations?
Drinking even a small dose of ethyl alcohol before taking samples for laboratory testing significantly distorts the results.As noted above, this leads to misdiagnosis.A specialist may not detect serious diseases and prescribe the necessary treatment in a timely manner.It is also likely that the wrong treatment will be prescribed, causing the condition to worsen.Untimely treatment of certain diseases sometimes leads to irreversible consequences and leads to a state in which treatment will no longer have any effect.
It is possible that the doctor will falsely diagnose a viral or infectious disease due to reduced immunity and prescribe unnecessary treatment, thereby only harming the patient.Drinking alcohol before surgery is especially dangerous, because it is not known how a drunk person will react to the procedure itself, to anesthesia.Additionally, doctors risk making mistakes during surgery, relying on incorrect data obtained while the patient is hungover.Such mistakes can have disastrous consequences.
How to prepare for tests
Most blood tests are done in the morning after an eight to 12 hour fast.Alcohol and tests: influence on results.During this period you can only drink water.You should abstain from alcohol for two to three days.Smoking is prohibited one hour before the test.It is also necessary to exclude possible hormonal surges due to stress or overwork, and not to take medications.
Before undergoing a hormone test, it is extremely important to refrain from eating for eight to twelve hours and eliminate fatty, sugary, carbonated and alcoholic drinks from your diet for several days before the procedure.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 earlier than five days after the x-ray and ultrasound.When determining your sugar level, brushing your teeth is also prohibited.
Before giving urine, it is not recommended to eat foods of a different color or drink diuretics.Immediately before sampling, it is necessary to carry out genital hygiene.It is best for women not to get tested during their period.The first portion of urine collected corresponds to the first urination after waking up.
A week before the spermogram, you should give up alcohol.It is recommended to refrain from ejaculating and smoking for three days.This will allow you to determine as accurately as possible the quantity and quality of sperm in the seminal fluid.