Alcohol’s Effects on the Lung and Lung Disease

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Key Takeaways

Chronic alcohol consumption disrupts the mechanical functions of the lungs, leading to impaired mucus-facilitated clearance, increased aspiration, and impairment of the alveolar epithelium barrier.
Alcohol misuse suppresses tissue recruitment of neutrophils, impairs alveolar macrophages, and decreases the number of dendritic cells and circulating lymphocytes, all of which increase susceptibility to respiratory infection.
Alcohol-related reductions in antioxidant levels, trace metals, and metabolites may also contribute to lung disease in people with underlying alcohol misuse.
Alcohol misuse significantly increases the risk of developing community-acquired pneumonia, with the relative risk increasing for every 10 to 20 grams of alcohol consumed per day.
Alcohol misuse is also an independent risk factor for the development of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), with a twofold increase in risk of developing ARDS following alcohol misuse.