Neurologist warned about the dangerous consequences of drinking alcohol before bed

Neurologist Ekaterina Demyanovskaya warned that drinking alcohol before bed can have dangerous consequences. The doctor spoke about them in a conversation with Izvestia.

Demyanovskaya explained that alcohol enhances inhibition processes in the central nervous system, due to which a person can feel relaxed. However, at the same time, alcohol interferes with the full recovery of the body during sleep, as it changes its structure. “The REM sleep phase begins later, and its overall duration may be reduced,” the doctor explained.

In addition, when alcohol is processed in the body, acetaldehyde is formed, which has a toxic effect and leads to increased adrenaline levels, increased heart rate and worsens the quality of sleep.

According to Demyanovskaya, people who have obstructive sleep apnea need to drink alcohol before bed with special caution, as alcohol can cause more frequent breathing pauses. In addition, it is dangerous to combine alcohol with sleeping pills and sedatives, the doctor added. “Their effects can enhance each other, up to and including dangerous respiratory depression during sleep,” the doctor warned.