admin

Study co-author Dawei Li, an assistant professor of microbiology and molecular genetics, has worked with other scientists for years to build a genetic database of more than 10,000 people. All are affected by at least one mental illness, but many have multiple disorders, including depression, schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, along with alcohol or drug dependence. People with light-colored eyes may have a higher risk of alcoholism than people with dark-brown eyes, new research suggests.

More in Health

Jehannine Austin, a psychiatric disorders expert for the National Society of Genetic Counselors, said the study was intriguing but that more work needed to be done. If you or a loved one are struggling with alcohol or other drugs, call us now to speak with a Recovery Advocate. Upon first encountering a new patient, a good physician notes physical features that suggest increased risk of pathology. A patient with clubbed fingernails or toenails should be evaluated for pulmonary insufficiency. Both cars had “extensive” damage, while Steele’s eyes were “bloodshot and glassy” and she smelled of alcohol, according to the police report fetal alcohol syndrome celebrities and newly released footage.

1. About 6,000–10,000 years ago, probably in the area of the Black Sea, a single individual was born with a mutation that programs reduced OCA2 gene expression and blue eyes.1 The evidence suggests that all people with blue eyes carry this same variant.
2. People with lighter eye colors appear to be more likely to develop alcoholism, according to a new study published in the American Journal of Medical Genetics.
3. The study defined “alcohol dependence” using criteria from the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders – 4th Edition, researcher Dawei Li told The Huffington Post.

ABC News

However, the complexity of genetic research, including factors such as assortative mating and shared environment effects, often challenges the validity of such findings. For instance, the heritability of alcohol use disorders, as shown in meta-analyses of twin and adoption studies, may be influenced by these factors. Despite these challenges, twin studies continue to provide valuable insights into the genetic underpinnings of alcoholism and other addiction disorders. Another dimension to consider is the genetic overlap found by researchers, which could offer insights into the underlying reasons for this association.

Blue Eyes Genetics

The two main pigments are eumelanin (brown or black) and pheomelanin (red or yellow), which together influence the perceived color of the eyes. In individuals with blue eyes, the iris lacks significant amounts of melanin, which is why they appear blue due to the way light scatters in the absence of melanin. Identifying and treating alcohol dependency is a worthy clinical and public health challenge. Alcoholics can be secretive about their addiction and frequently deny it long after it takes a toll on their families, friends and employers. Li and Sulovari found that people with light-colored eyes–or eyes that are blue, grey, or green–were most likely to become alcohol-dependent at some point in their lifetimes when compared to people with dark brown eyes.

From an evolutionary perspective, all blue-eyed individuals may share a common ancestor. A genetic mutation that occurred between 6,000 and 10,000 years ago in a single individual from Europe has been suggested as the origin of blue eyes. This mutation affected the OCA2 gene, which plays a role in melanin production, turning off the body’s ability to produce the brown pigment in the iris.

Recent studies have sparked interest in the potential connection between eye color and the risk of alcoholism. The speculation arises from observed correlations, where individuals with lighter eye colors, particularly blue eyes, may display a higher incidence of alcohol dependency compared to those with darker eyes. Research published in the American Journal of Medical Genetics outlines genetic components that determine eye color and suggests these components are aligned with genes related to excessive alcohol use. The study authors very likely uncovered an uncanny correlation, but that doesn’t provide any big help in diagnosing alcoholism or understanding the complex genetics behind it. The intersection of genetics and behavioral health, such as the study of the connection between blue eyes and alcoholism, has the potential to significantly influence treatment and prevention strategies.

Eye Color Linked to Alcoholism Risk

According to the 2021 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, approximately 28.6 million adults aged 18 and older (11.3%) suffered from AUD in the United States. Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is a medical condition characterized by an impaired ability to stop or control alcohol use despite adverse social, occupational, or health consequences. The mechanism behind tolerance and dependence is based on the way alcohol affects our brain — most notably the way it changes the balance of neurotransmitters in the brain. Drinking causes a brief boost in dopamine, the feel-good neurotransmitter that fuels the brain’s reward circuit. It also increases the levels of GABA (a neurological sedative) while down-regulating its counterpart, glutamate (an excitatory neurotransmitter). The root cause of alcoholism, or alcohol use disorder, is a mix of our unique biology, personal history, personality tendencies, and environment.

By considering genetic factors more closely, medical professionals could provide more targeted and effective care for those struggling with AUD. All in all, AUD is a complex condition that involves genetic and environmental factors alike. Do blue eyes have a higher alcohol tolerance correlation, and is there a connection between blue eyes, alcohol dependence, and AUD?

The Reframe app equips you with the knowledge and skills you need to not only survive drinking less, but to thrive while you navigate the journey. Our daily research-backed readings teach you the neuroscience of alcohol, and our in-app Toolkit provides the resources and activities you need to navigate each challenge. To start,  let’s take a brief look at what gives rise to eye color in the first place. It comes down to our DNA — the sequence of nucleotide molecules that work as templates for building our body’s proteins.

From that extensive database, Li’s and Sulovari’s study filtered out the alcohol-dependent patients with European ancestry, a total of 1,263 samples. The inclusion of ethnically varied groups is crucial to account for structural variation and to develop more accurate predictions of phenotypes and genetic risks across populations. Nature Reviews Genetics emphasizes the need for long sequencing reads and haplotype phasing to confront this challenge. Additionally, training a diverse community of genomic research scientists is essential for the equitable advancement of the field.

Too much alcohol affects your speech, muscle coordination and vital centers of your brain. A heavy drinking binge may even cause a life-threatening coma or death. This is of particular concern when you’re taking certain medications that also depress the brain’s function. If your pattern of drinking results in repeated significant distress and problems functioning in your daily life, you likely have alcohol use disorder. However, even a mild disorder can escalate and lead to serious problems, so early treatment is important.

Support

It can also make circulating platelets less sticky, rendering them less effective in forming clots. This increased blood flow means more blood might escape the vessel if it ruptures. A graduate of Texas Tech University and the can drinking cause bruising University of Cincinnati, Trent is fervently dedicated to providing evidence-based, compassionate care to those battling addiction.

What Is a Bruise?

Because connective tissue is located all throughout our bodies, people with EDS can have a wide range of symptoms. Blood cancers affect blood cells and account for nearly 10% of all cancers in the U.S., according to The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. A low platelet count makes you bruise easily—one of the telltale symptoms of blood cancers. Your liver has many functions, including helping in digestion, removing waste from the body, and producing certain proteins. If your liver isn’t functioning properly, it will not make enough clotting factors, which makes you more prone to bruising and bleeding.

• If you’re experiencing alcohol symptoms like easy bruising, or you simply want to break free from alcohol misuse, Confidant is here to help.
• First, alcoholics are more likely to fall and injure themselves, which can cause bruising.
• Don’t do this yourself because you could hurt yourself further, cause an infection, and slow your healing process.

Addiction Therapist: What They Do & How to Find the Right One

Alcohol addiction can cause various health issues, some of which include bruising and subcutaneous bleeding. Bruises that take a long time to heal or getting bruised for no apparent cause could be signs of a bleeding disorder. Sunnyside is the leading alcohol health platform focused on moderation and mindfulness, not sobriety. On average, members see a 30% reduction in alcohol consumption in 3 months, leading to improved sleep, diet, and overall wellbeing.

How to Prevent Alcoholic Neuropathy

You should also seek medical attention if your bruises appear on parts of your body where injuries are unlikely to occur, like your torso, back, face or on the backs of your hands. Ditto if they start to appear after you’ve started a new medication. “Generally, bruises should fade completely in a couple of weeks,” Dr. Johnston says. “If your bruise doesn’t heal after roughly three to four weeks, you should seek medical attention because it could be a sign of a more serious medical issue.” With platelet disorders, such as thrombocytopenia, there may be an underproduction or overproduction of platelets in the body, or platelets that don’t work normally. “In the case of too few platelets, the body won’t be able to control bleeding after experiencing physical trauma,” Dr. Johnston says.

Myth: You’re not in danger of health or addiction problems if you only drink alcohol socially.

The pain can feel like burning, throbbing, or sharp pins and needles. As the condition progresses, the pain may vary in intensity, sometimes diminishing for months before worsening again. Because denial is common, you may feel like you don’t have a problem with drinking. You might not recognize how much you drink or how many problems in your life are related to alcohol use. Listen to relatives, friends or co-workers when they ask you to examine your drinking habits or to seek help. Consider talking with someone who has had a problem with drinking but has stopped.

What Are the Long-Term Effects of Alcohol on the Body?

You may avoid possible health problems by limiting your alcohol consumption. When it comes to drinking, remember to always prioritize your well-being and make appropriate decisions. Binge drinking, which includes consuming a large quantity of alcohol in a short period, may be harmful to our health.

• Some people experience a faster onset and progression of alcoholic neuropathy than others.
• According to DermNet.org, drinking large amounts of alcohol can increase a person’s risk of developing psoriasis.
• But long-term and excessive alcohol consumption can lead to liver inflammation (liver hepatitis).
• Furthermore, if alcohol bruises are a result of liver damage, you likely have alcoholic liver disease, which causes severe dysfunction in the liver.

Advances in research, an explosion in sophisticated imaging technology and new medical procedures have allowed for earlier diagnosis of prostate disease and more personalized treatment. Dr. Kling recommends that people going through menopause limit alcohol to one drink a day or less, in addition to eating a balanced diet and exercising regularly. Dr. Oesterle leads Mayo Clinic’s inpatient rehabilitation program for addiction and says he often sees alcohol use become a problem for people after they retire.

By Lindsay CurtisCurtis is a what is alcoholism writer with over 20 years of experience focused on mental health, sexual health, cancer care, and spinal health. At this point, you may have alcohol cravings or drink to avoid the low feelings withdrawal causes rather than for the pleasurable feelings alcohol consumption may offer. The brain is highly vulnerable to the damaging effects of alcohol, which disrupts communication between brain cells.

He emphasizes a holistic, patient-centered approach and stays updated on the latest in addiction research. Trent Carter, FNP-BC, CARN-AP, is a seasoned nurse practitioner with over a decade of experience in addiction medicine. However, giving up alcohol right away isn’t sustainable or desirable for most people. After all, studies have shown that almost 50% of adults wish to reduce their intake without giving up alcohol altogether.