According to studies, laboratory tests help between 60 and 80% when establishing a diagnosis.Of course, this is not the only thing 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, since they allow us to see the whole 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 before these types of medical procedures is not strictly recommended.
The effect of alcohol on blood tests.
It has been scientifically proven that ethyl acts on the human body as a powerful poison.By consuming even a small amount of an adult beverage, the immune system is activated, attacks the harmful substance and attempts to neutralize it.Protective reactions are activated aimed at quickly eliminating toxins and combating harmful effects.Under the influence of decomposition 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 blood coagulates, forming blood clots.The kidneys and liver begin to work harder.Its cells are destroyed, lipid and fat metabolism is disturbed, and severe poisoning occurs.The poison is not quickly eliminated from the body.Depending on the metabolic rate, this process lasts two to three to seven days.
Of course, these processes significantly affect blood, urine and sperm tests.They do not allow us to see the real 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.This also makes it difficult to accurately determine the presence of diseases and confuses medical workers.
Once in the stomach, the alcohol poison is first absorbed into the blood and causes changes that last 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 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.It increases the concentration of lactic and uric acids, which will also ruin the results of biochemical analysis.Calcium, magnesium and phosphorus are washed away.When taking a sample from a vein, this is even more important to accurately represent the patient's condition.
Drinks containing alcohol also change hormonal levels, increasing stress hormones, as ethanol affects the functioning of the adrenal glands and thyroid.These glands are responsible for producing important hormones.Deviations from the normal level of these hormones may indicate serious diseases that require timely treatment.
Due to decreased immunity, a false positive result is possible for viral infections such as hepatitis and HIV.Therefore, if the recommendations are not followed, it is better to warn the doctor and reschedule the procedure for another day.
Interestingly, 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 any.
In this way, the doctor can overlook the presence of such serious diseases as malignant neoplasms, diabetes, hepatitis, 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 may therefore feel worse after the procedure, lose consciousness, become nauseous and vomit.
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 remains in the 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 than to get incorrect results.
During alcohol intoxication, the concentration of uric and lactic acids increases, which significantly distorts the results.Glucose readings will also not correspond to reality.Glucose is formed in the liver, which, as is known, is the first to suffer damage.
The kidneys, whose task is cleansing, will work hard to complete their task.They will actively get rid of the breakdown products of alcohol poison, which will cause their high concentration in the urine.However, you should not try to speed up the process of removing toxins from urine by using diuretics.In fact, this will help speed up cleansing, but it will lead to more serious dehydration, additional stress on the kidneys and a higher concentration of urine, and it will still not be possible to completely remove harmful substances.
The effect of alcohol on the spermogram.
Semen is a very volatile liquid that is easily affected by toxins found in recreational beverages.The main indication of a spermogram is infertility.Since alcohol greatly affects the seed's ability to fertilize, it is highly undesirable to consume this product before this procedure.
Due to exposure to ethanol in the 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 the number of sperm, so it is not recommended to drink earlier than seven days.
Even low-alcohol drinks have an effect, since even a small ethanol content worsens the condition of the 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 plant 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 not only harms the indicators, but also prevents the conception of a healthy child.You should avoid it while 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 collecting samples for laboratory tests greatly distorts the results.As stated above, this leads to misdiagnosis.A specialist may not detect serious diseases and may not prescribe the necessary treatment in a timely manner.It is also likely that the wrong treatment will be prescribed, leading 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.Drinking alcohol before surgery is especially dangerous, since it is unknown how a drunk person will react to the intervention itself, to anesthesia.Additionally, doctors run the risk of making mistakes during surgery, based on incorrect data obtained while the patient is hungover.These errors can have dire consequences.
How to prepare for tests
Most blood tests are done in the morning, after fasting for eight to twelve hours.Alcohol and analysis: influence on results.During this time, you will only be able to drink water.You should abstain from drinking alcohol for two or three days.Smoking is prohibited one hour before the test.It is also necessary to exclude possible hormonal surges due to stress or excessive exertion and not take medications.
Before undergoing a hormonal test, it is extremely important to refrain from eating for eight to twelve hours and eliminate fatty, sweet, carbonated and alcohol-containing drinks from your diet a few days before the procedure.On this day, physical activity, chewing gum, caffeine and tobacco products are prohibited.It is recommended to avoid stress and emotional overload.You can take it no earlier than five days after X-ray and ultrasound.When determining your sugar level, brushing your teeth is also prohibited.
Before donating urine, it is not recommended to eat different colored foods or drink diuretics.Immediately before collection, it is necessary to perform genital hygiene.It is best for women not to get tested during menstruation.The first portion of urine collected is the first urination after waking up.
A week before the spermogram, you should give up alcohol.It is recommended to abstain from ejaculation 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.