Can Alcohol cause stomach problems?
We’ve all experienced that uneasy sour feeling in our gut after a night of eating and heavy drinking. Most of the time, we brush it off as just part of the typical alcohol hangover. But these warnings can be more than just your typical digestive issue and be a red flag for an alcohol related problem. Alcohol can cause all sorts of issues with the body, but can alcohol cause stomach problems as well?
You don’t need to be a heavy or frequent drinker to experience this type of discomfort. Clinicians have observed that even a couple of casual drinks can cause havoc on your digestive system. Alcohol can lead to rapid acid overproduction in the GI tract, which then produces all sorts of stomach issues.
Alcohol can disrupt the balance of gut microbacteria and lead to issues such as leaky gut, chronic inflammation and alcoholic gastritis. Your stomach is coated by an inner lining called the gastric mucosa. It acts as a protective shield and barrier. When alcohol is consumed, it acts as a direct irritant to this barrier, leaving it irritated and highly sensitive.
How does alcohol impact the Digestive System?
Alcohol has the ability to alter many systems in our body. It can also alter the structure and function of the gastrointestinal tract. This leads to discomfort, pain, and other health issues like inflammation of the intestinal lining, disrupted nutrient absorption and increased cancer risk.
The main role of the digestive tract is to break down food into components that can be used and absorbed by the body to help it function normally. Even with a single use of alcohol, the mucosal lining of the stomach can become damaged and lead to inflammation and lesions.
Can Alcohol cause Stomach Problems?
Yes. Alcohol can cause issues with the gastrointestinal system.
- Acid Reflux. The stomach contains a powerful acid that is used to break down the foods we eat. The lower esophageal sphincter is a muscular valve that keeps the acid inside the stomach away from other parts of the system. When alcohol is consumed, it acts as a muscle relaxant. In turn, it can relax this muscle and prevent it from doing its job to keep the acid lid sealed in the stomach. Once that lid is loose, the liquid acid from your stomach begins pushing against it. If you down a few drinks too quickly, it can force the acid up into the valve, causing heartburn and acid reflux.
- GERD. Gastroesophageal reflux disease is a severe form of acid reflux in which the stomach acid flows back up into the esophagus, leading to heartburn and damage to the esophageal lining.
- Diarrhea. Drinking too much alcohol can disrupt the gut bacteria and increase bacteria that cause inflammation and irritation in the gut. The excessive presence of bad bacteria in the stomach can lead to a condition referred to as leaky gut, in which gaps in the intestinal wall allow bacteria and other toxic substances into the bloodstream. It can also decrease gut absorption and increase the production of bile in the liver. This leads to diarrhea.
- Bloating. Alcohol disrupts both the digestion of sugars and the balance of bacteria in the gut. When your gut bacteria are off balance, it can lead to a shift in fungal diversity and cause an overgrowth of yeast called candida. Candida causes the feeling of bloating and gas in your stomach. Many people experience bloating even after a few drinks. Other causes of bloating can be due to slowed stomach emptying, gas from the carbonation of the alcoholic mixed drinks you are taking in and dehydration from the sugary drinks pulling water from your gut and physically stretching out your stomach.
- Stomach bleeding. Permanent damage to the stomach from alcohol can also lead to bleeding in the gastrointestinal tract. Symptoms of this condition include vomiting blood, rectal bleeding, lightheadedness, abdominal pain, difficulty breathing, fainting and chest pain. Bleeding in the stomach can eventually lead to anemia, a condition characterized by having too few red blood cells in the bloodstream.
- Gastritis. Alcohol disrupts the production of the mucosal lining in the stomach. When the stomach lining becomes inflamed, it can cause severe stomach cramps and even vomiting.
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Alcoholic Gastritis
The stomach lining is a shield that protects against harsh digestive juices. Alcohol can cause inflammation of this lining by stripping away the protective mucus to leave raw tissue exposed. Common symptoms of alcoholic gastritis include:
- Pain in the upper abdomen
- Persistent nausea after a night out drinking
- Feeling full after just a few bites of food
- Sudden loss of normal appetite
- Occasional vomiting or dry heaving
- In extreme cases, sepsis, organ failure and perforation of the stomach
- Anemia
- Loss of appetite
- Ulcers
- Nausea and vomiting
- Gas, bloating and an irritated stomach
Alcoholic gastritis is diagnosed in the same way as regular gastritis. Breath tests to check for bacterial infections, upper endoscopy and blood tests to look for anemia are also other methods to check for gastritis. However, alcohol induced gastritis isn’t always present with clear symptoms. It is often mistaken for general acid reflux. It is important to get properly diagnosed.
Treatment options for Alcohol Induced Stomach issues
- Antibiotics
- Over-the-counter antacids
- Proton pump inhibitors
- H2 blockers
- Avoid alcohol
- Serious lifestyle changes
- Avoid drinking alcohol without food
When should you visit a doctor?
With constant alcohol use, you are more prone to slowly wear away your stomach lining, cause inflammation and create painful open sores known as a peptic ulcer. If you constantly have to pop an antacid or always have stomach pain after drinking, it may be time to see a doctor about your condition before it gets worse.
If you notice changes in bowel habits, unexplained weight loss and constant abdominal pain, this could be a sign that alcohol is impacting your stomach. Stomach pain after drinking alcohol, whether you binge or casually drink, should not be ignored. Doctors emphasize never ignoring your body’s most severe distress signals. Symptoms like blood in your vomit, black stool, unexplained drastic weight loss or sharp stomach pains, should lead you to immediate medical attention.
Reach out to Hotel California by the Sea
We specialize in treating addiction and other co-occurring disorders, such as PTSD. Our Admissions specialists are available to walk you through the best options for treating your addiction.
Treatment for Alcohol Use Disorder
Managing alcohol related stomach issues can better your overall health. Professional behavioral health program Hotel California by the Sea provides treatment for alcohol use disorder. We offer treatment at all levels of care including detox, residential, PHP and IOP. We utilize evidence-based methods such as CBT, DBT and EMDR therapy. Hotel California by the Sea is dedicated to helping clients reach their goals in sobriety and overcome their addiction.
References:
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6826790
https://rmggastroenterology.com/blog/untreated-alcoholic-gastritis-symptoms/
https://healthtalk.unchealthcare.org/6-ways-alcohol-can-damage-your-gut/
https://allieddigestivehealth.com/digestive-issues-caused-by-alcohol/
https://www.carygastro.com/blog/how-to-recognize-alcoholic-gastritis
