How Does Alcohol Affect Irritable Bowel Syndrome
By Gregory Seltzer, MD, GastroenterologistVirtua Gastroenterology
Irritable bowel syndrome is a common condition that affects between 25 and 45 million people in the United States. The symptoms vary but usually include some combination of cramping, stomach pain, bloating, gas, diarrhea and constipation.
There is a long list of foods and beverages that can potentially worsen IBS symptomsincluding alcohol. While some people suffering from IBS have to eliminate alcohol from their diet completely, others can still enjoy an occasional drink.
If you suffer from IBS, you need to understand how your body reacts to alcohol so you can manage how much alcohol you drink.
Why Does It Happen
As soon as alcohol hits your stomach, a little bit is absorbed through your stomach lining and enters your bloodstream. The rest spends some time in your stomach before entering your small intestine, where about two-thirds of it is absorbed. From here alcohol travels through your blood to all parts of your body. In the liver itâs broken down and processed until it is carbon dioxide and water. In the small intestine it becomes poo and urine, and you eventually pass it.
Even drinking a small amount can speed up the rate of digestion and cause loose stools. Funnily enough, the exact opposite can also happen. Drinking too much can instead cause slow or delayed digestion, and you can end up bloated, constipated and passing very firm stools. Itâs a delicate balance. A few other things can also affect the speed with which you digest alcohol, including your gender, your liver health, your genes, the type of alcohol you drink, how much youâve eaten that day and what youâve eaten. Fibrous and greasy foods can also speed up digestion creating a double whammy – remember that 3am kebab?
Can You Prevent Diarrhea Before A Night Of Drinking
Your best bet for avoiding diarrhea after drinking is to drink in moderation and to avoid alcohol altogether if you have a preexisting condition that puts you at risk for gastrointestinal distress from alcohol.
It’s also important to stay hydrated as you drink and take breaks between each glass of alcohol.
“I tell my patients that if they’re going to be drinking, try to alternate alcoholic beverages with non-alcoholic beverages like seltzer or water with lime in it,” says Dr. Ganjhu. “This way, they’re drinking and socializing but less likely to have the complications of over-drinking and getting dehydrated.”
Snacking while you drink will also help to slow down the absorption of alcohol and its side effects.
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What Is Hangover Diarrhea
It is one of the side effects of a hangover, and it refers to the passage of loose or watery stools at least three times per day. It may also refer to increased bowel movement per day.
But can alcohol cause diarrhea? It causes passage of loose stools as a result of its effects on the small intestines and the colon.
And The Worst Offenders Are
“The more concentrated the alcohol, the worse the reaction will be,” Shah warns, which explains the severe reactions whiskey can provoke the next morning. Liquors will produce the worst booze craps, in other words.
But beer won’t exactly be your friend either. This is because the body produces enzymes to assist in breaking down the complex carbohydrates found in your favorite suds as they travel to the small intestine. When you’re slinging high-carb options like beer down your gullet fairly quickly — and ethanol is speeding up the digestive process, remember — some of the carbs will make it to your large intestine without breaking down. The bacteria in the large intestine start fermenting those carbs, resulting in gas, cramping, loose stool, and diarrhea.
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What Causes Alcohol Gastritis
Alcohol Gastritis is a type of acute gastritis and is caused by excessive alcohol consumption. The sudden inflammation of the stomach lining can be very painful and cause severe stomach cramping, irritability and vomiting. While consuming too much alcohol is the main cause of Alcohol Gastritis, it often develops in connection with some sort of infection, direct irritation or localized tissue damage. It can be caused by:
- taking non-steroidal, anti-inflammatory medications like aspirin or ibuprofen .
- certain bacterial infections.
- bile reflux from proximal small intestine.
- autoimmune disorders.
While these are the chief causes of the condition, there are other activities and circumstances that can contribute to the irritation, including stress, smoking and caffeine intake. If you wait to see a doctor for alcohol gastritis symptoms and continue to drink the more likely it may lead to permanent damage to the stomach and digestive system.
Your Hangover Can Trigger Anxiety
As your body gets alcohol out of your system, your blood sugar levels drop, which actually stresses your brain out. This can lead to feelings of anxiousness and worry, and can be especially triggering if you have an anxiety disorder.
Lots of people drink to relax and rid themselves of worries or anxiety for a few hours, but if your hangover comes with a hefty dose of anxiousness, you might need to rethink this coping mechanism.
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What Is Alcoholic Gastritis
As defined by the National Library of Medicine, gastritis is inflammation of the stomach. Alcohol Gastritis is when that inflammation is caused by alcohol use. Gastritis can be acute or chronic.
Chronic gastritis is a long-term condition where the stomach lining remains inflamed and is worn down over time. Those who consume alcohol regularly may only experience minor symptoms for an extended period, because of decreased sensitivity from continued alcohol use.
Here are some links that can teach you more and help you get started.
- hemorrhage.
Why Your Body Is Making You Suffer
Remember last night when you had to pee, like, a billion times? “Alcohol is a diuretic,” explains Shah. “When you have a drink, it enters the bloodstream immediately and it also causes the pituitary gland in the brain to inhibit the production of vasopressin.”
Vasopressin regulates the body’s water retention and constricts blood vessels. Without it, the kidneys send water straight to the bladder and you straight to the line for the bar bathroom.
It’s not pee you’re worried about the next morning. According to gastroenterologist Dr. Kathlynn Caguiat, “Alcohol can increase gut motility and it doesn’t get broken down before it reaches the colon, where bacteria feast on these, resulting in bloating and diarrhea.” Those bacteria love the alcohol you feed them, and they repay you with extra gas and crap.
What’s more, increased gut motility means everything’s moving more rapidly than usual. That in turn means the colon has less time to absorb any water, which can result in watery stool and diarrhea.
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Why Treat Your Diarrhea
IMODIUM products contain an active ingredient called Loperamide, which works to help relieve diarrhea and restore the digestive system to its normal balance. Your diarrhea symptoms may resolve more quickly with IMODIUM products than they will by letting the diarrhea run its course. If symptoms persist for more than two days or get worse, consult your healthcare professional.
Effects Of Drinking Too Much Alcohol
In the longer term, alcohol is associated with an increased risk of cancer of the mouth, tongue, lip, throat, stomach, pancreas and colon, says Dr Moriarty.
Other digestive problems caused by drinking too much include acid reflux where stomach acid burns your throat. Alcohol can also contribute to developing a peptic ulcer a painful, open sore in your stomach lining.
Dr Moriarty points out that vomiting, especially if youre very drunk and not in control, carries its own risks.
If youre close to unconsciousness and are sick, you can breathe vomit into your lungs, and not be able to cough it back up. This can lead to death, he says. Violent vomiting can tear your throat too, meaning you can vomit blood. Usually, this settles on its own, but occasionally bleeding can be severe and life-threatening.
Drinking can also make it more difficult to digest food and absorb vital nutrients, particularly proteins and vitamins.1
Thats because alcohol reduces the amount of digestive enzymes which the pancreas produces to help us to break down the fats and carbohydrates we eat.1
People with Irritable Bowel Syndrome may find their symptoms get worse if they drink alcohol. Drinking to excess can cause symptoms that mirror IBS .2
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How Does Alcohol Cause Diarrhea
There are a few reasons why alcohol causes diarrhea:
1. Alcohol gets absorbed easily by your body’s tissues
Alcohol enters the bloodstream moments after you take a sip and begins to affect you within minutes.
The majority of absorption occurs as its digested, which can irritate the stomach and intestines.
The effects are worse if there is nothing in your stomach when you begin to drink alcohol. This is why its easier to get intoxicated if you havent eaten.
2. Alcohol is high in sugar
Sugar triggers the gut to produce water and electrolytes. This leads to loose bowel movements.
Studies show the majority of people who consume 40 to 80 grams or more of sugar per day develop diarrhea.
3. Alcohol triggers inflammation
This causes the stomach to produce more acid. Both can lead to diarrhea. It also speeds the digestion process and damages the guts healthy bacteria.
Even a healthy person who consumes a moderate amount of alcohol can experience diarrhea after drinking because of the way alcohol negatively impacts the digestive system.
4. Many types of alcohol contain gluten
If a gluten-sensitive person consumes alcohol containing gluten, it will trigger a reaction that often includes diarrhea.
Summary
Alcohol consumption may cause diarrhea in some people. This is because it irritates the gastrointestinal tract, causing inflammation. It also stimulates/inhibits different absorption mechanisms in the intestines.
ALCOHOL REHAB HELP
- Lack of energy
- Fuzzy thinking
Summary
Who Is At Risk Of Diarrhea After Drinking
Certain groups of people are more at risk of suffering diarrhea after drinking.
If you drink a lot of alcohol regularly then it will gradually damage your gut which will not work as efficiently as it did and you will be more prone to diarrhea.
For example regular drinking can eventually cause the tops of the villi the little projections which stick out from the intestinal lining to wear off.
Binge drinking will mean a large dose of alcohol will suddenly reach your gut so diarrhea will be more likely.
If you suffer from an intestinal disorder like Crohns disease, ulcerative colitis or irritable bowel syndrome then your gut is already extra sensitive and you are more likely to succumb to diarrhea.
Taken from:
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People With Sleep Disturbances
Sleep deprivation causes gut dysmotility, a condition where the gut contractility is abnormal. Sleep deprivation may therefore exacerbate the effects of alcohol on an already hyperactive gut.
People who have abnormal sleep-wake cycles, such as night shift workers or people with sleep disorders may be at a higher risk of experiencing diarrhea after a night of drinking.
Can I Run From The Runs
Just like a hangover, the best way to prevent next-day diarrhoea is to abstain from alcohol altogether or moderate your drinking. But if you do plan on having a boozy night, try and eat a hearty, balanced meal beforehand, and alternate between alcohol and water. And if the runs last longer than a day, best to go see a doctor.
To learn more about how alcohol and other substances affect your health, and the main health issues impacting young Aussies, visit medibank.com.au/adulting.
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Tips For Drinking With Ibs
Here are some tips to keep in mind if you believe that you may wish to drink and have an IBS diagnosis:
- Take it slow and make sure to watch whether drinking increases the severity or frequency of your IBS symptoms.
- Make sure to hydrate properly when youre drinking alcohol and follow the CDCs guidelines for alcohol use in the United States.
- If your doctor tells you to not drink alcohol in relation to your IBS diagnosis , then be sure to follow your physicians recommendations for your health and wellbeing.
- Consider limiting or completely eliminating your alcohol consumption.
Sulphites Trigger Allergies And Asthma
Sulphites are a mineral which occur naturally in a lot of foods and drinks, and can also be added as a preservative to stop spoilage and preserve colour. Some people are sensitive to sulphites, experiencing allergic reactions ranging from mild hay fever-like symptoms to serious anaphylactic reactions when they eat or drink them. People with asthma can also find that foods and drinks with high sulphite levels can trigger the condition.
Alcoholic drinks like wine and cider, and drinks you might mix with alcohol like concentrated fruit drinks and bottled lemon or lime juices, can contain high levels sulphites. If youre feeling particularly sneezy, stuffy, wheezy or itchy after a night drinking, sulphites might be to blame.
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What Causes Diarrhea After Drinking Alcohol
Alcohol has a wide-ranging impact on your digestive system. When you drink, alcohol goes to your stomach where it is absorbed along with the nutrients from the food youve eaten. From there, alcohol passes through the cells in the stomach wall into the bloodstream.
If you have food in your stomach, it will slow the absorption of alcohol into your bloodstream. The opposite is also true. Alcohol is more quickly absorbed into the bloodstream on an empty stomach. Thats why you get drunker faster when you havent eaten.
Whatever alcohol is not absorbed leaves the body in the form of urine and excrement.
Normally, your large intestine pulls water from your stool before it exits the body. However, alcohol speeds up the digestive process and impedes your large intestines ability to function properly. The end result is watery stools and dehydration.
When you have a bowel movement, your colon muscles work in a coordinated effort to squeeze out your poo. Alcohol increases the rate of these squeezes. This impacts the colons ability to absorb excess water, which also contributes to diarrhea from drinking.
What Causes Rabbits To Have Diarrhea
Diarrhea in rabbits is not an uncommon health problem, especially in baby rabbits .
There are a few different causes of the problem, including viral infections, parasitic infections, diet, stress, and so on.
Its important to identify the cause of the problem so that you can treat it appropriately. This article discusses each cause in detail and treatment options for them.
In addition to that, it shows you how to identify whether your rabbit has diarrhea or another condition.
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A Better Alternative To Sugar Alcohols
Sugar alcohols are being added to an increasing number of processed foods these days. If youre not careful to limit them in your diet you can easily find them causing symptoms like bloating, bad gas, intestinal pain and even diarrhea.
While the majority of people can handle small amounts of them, its best to check product labeling and avoid mannitol, sorbitol, maltitol, isomalt, lactitol and xylitol wherever you can.
This liquid stevia I use in my kitchen is a much healthier choice than sugar alcohols for sweetening food and drinks. It is around 200 times sweeter than table sugar and you only need a drop or two to sweeten beverages or mixed into food.
If this isnt suitable for your purposes, consider this very low calorie granulated erythritol, the only sugar alcohol unlikely to cause digestive upsets and diarrhea.
Can Quitting Drinking Give You Diarrhea
Although alcohol withdrawal can cause diarrhea, in the long run youll likely see an improvement. Often, heavy drinkers can reverse at least some of the GI tract damage caused by alcohol, and restore good gut bacteria after quitting.
If you are finding it difficult to reduce your alcohol consumption, and side effects of alcohollike diarrheaare having a negative impact on your life, Rias online program may be able to help.
Ria Health offers comprehensive support to reduce or quit drinking, all from an app on your smartphone. Choose moderation or abstinence. Set your own goals, and get a plan customized to your unique needs.
Learn more about how it works, or speak with a member of our team today.
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Can Excessive Drinking Cause Blood In Stool
Yes, diarrhea can be accompanied by bright red or dark black urine which is often caused by the presence of excess alcohol metabolites. The coloration does not indicate any type of serious bleeding occurring because it has already passed through your digestive system so there should be no danger. However, it is always best to consult your doctor or physician if you experience more severe symptoms.
Side Effects Of Polyols
When you eat a food with sugar alcohols they pass through your small intestine only partial absorbed. This is because the human digestive system has trouble break down their structure.
As they reach your large intestine, the molecules of most sugar alcohols tend to pull water into the gut by osmosis. This often leads to watery stools and, in large amounts, full blown diarrhea.
Even in smaller doses, polyols like mannitol, sorbitol, lactitol and maltitol need to be broken down by bacterial fermentation in your colon.
This process creates a lot of flatus gas and, as these gases get trapped within your intestines, they can result in belly bloating, painful cramps, abdominal discomfort, and finally lots of flatulence on the way out.
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What To Do If I Have Diarrhea After Drinking
A primary concern of any diarrhea is always dehydration. Make sure you are drinking plenty of clear fluids and if you have a rehydration supplement, like Hangover Hammer, take it as well. Try to eat some saltine crackers or bland foods like potatoes to help absorb some of the alcohol in your stomach. If you continue having diarrhea for more than 12 hours after drinking, it is important that you seek medical attention.
When you couple the electrolyte loss due to diarrhea with the loss from the blockage of ADH by alcohol, dehydration becomes a major issue that is most effectively reversed by the consumption of both fluids and electrolytes. Hangover Hammer has a patented formulation of electrolytes and fiber. The electrolyte concentrations comply with the world health organizations suggestions, and the fiber enhances the absorption of electrolytes.
You don’t have to go home….