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Alcohol consumption and obesity: The hidden scare with COVID-19 severity.

Authors :
Bilal B
Saleem F
Fatima SS
Source :
Medical hypotheses [Med Hypotheses] 2020 Nov; Vol. 144, pp. 110272. Date of Electronic Publication: 2020 Sep 16.
Publication Year :
2020

Abstract

Obese individuals seem to be at the highest risk of contracting COVID-19 infection. Furthermore, severity of morbidity and mortality rates are higher in the developed world as compared to the developing world. One probable reason for this difference could be the difference in living conditions and exposure to other infections. Secondly, the difference in food especially, alcohol use may have deteriorating effects superimposed with obesity. Our hypothesis suggests that a combination of alcohol consumption and obesity causes low immunity and makes the individual prone to develop 'cytokine storm' and 'acute respiratory distress syndrome'; the hallmark of COVID-19 mortality and morbidity. Thus, we propose that reducing any one trigger can have a beneficial effect in combating the disease severity.<br /> (Copyright © 2020 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
1532-2777
Volume :
144
Database :
MEDLINE
Journal :
Medical hypotheses
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
33254576
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mehy.2020.110272