Intestinal disorders after alcohol - dysbiosis and other diseases

If a person has a stomach ache after drinking alcohol, this can be regarded, on the one hand, as a provocation of an exacerbation of a chronic pathology that had not been detected before, and on the other hand, as a sign of an acute local effect of a toxic poison.

All alcoholic products include ethyl alcohol. Poisoning of the body begins from the stomach. A study of the “beer experience” shows that after 3–5 years of regular consumption, a person turns into a chronic patient with disruption of the entire gastrointestinal tract.

Facts about the composition of alcoholic beverages

Many people are willing to argue that “one or two drinks” are only beneficial. We will present only facts based on the technology of alcoholic beverages production. Ethyl alcohol is an essential component of not only vodka, but also beer and cognac. After fermentation, the liquid is filtered in several stages, while the remains of paper and wood are added to it.

The drink contains substances that are no less dangerous to human organs (dyes, flavors). Beer contains nitrogenous substances. All wines, except fruit and fruit extracts, must contain methyl alcohol. Poisoning is guaranteed for people with hypersensitivity.

Law-abiding manufacturers indicate contraindications on the labels

Cognac is distinguished by the most refined production, but it also contains:

• organic acids;
• ethyl ether;
• tannin and other tannins.

Pharmacy alcohol-containing tinctures are not considered drinks; they are used by patients in need in a drip dosage. Most technical fluids include methyl alcohol. When binge drinking or with a hangover, alcoholics drink any product without thinking about the consequences.

In adolescence, drinking 0.5 liters of “non-alcoholic” beer is dangerous. According to technology, it must contain at least 5% ethanol. Therefore, if your stomach hurts after beer, you should not look for other reasons for feeling unwell.

Content:

1. Causes of pain in the stomach area
2. Consequences of alcohol abuse 2.1. Symptoms of gastrointestinal disease
3. Stomach hurts after binge drinking: what to do 3.1. Traditional methods of relieving pain 3.2. Health care

Systematic consumption of alcoholic beverages is fraught with long periods of drinking, during which a person is in a drunken stupor for several days, or even weeks.
Continuous intoxication with the breakdown products of ethyl alcohol leads to disruptions in the functioning of all organs and systems, and mental disorders. The gastrointestinal tract is also exposed to the toxic effects of alcohol. With a one-time intake, alcohol remains in it for 1-2 hours, but during prolonged drinking - constantly. Pathological changes in the digestive system from exposure to ethanol cause abdominal pain after binge drinking already in the morning after the last drink.

The reasons for this are different and the treatment, accordingly, too. Therefore, at the first painful signs, it is necessary to seek medical support in order to avoid serious complications for life and health.

The role of snacks in the occurrence of pain

Doctors have long known that people who drink and do not snack are subsequently admitted to the hospital with stomach ulcers, and those who snack are admitted to the hospital with cirrhosis of the liver. This brutal truth is confirmed by the nutritional pattern of drinking.

Dry food, fast food, shawarma with spicy seasonings, kebabs, hot sauces, pickles, smoked products “finish off” the protective capabilities of the stomach. A drinker does not pay attention to the quantity and quality of food eaten; this is facilitated by the effect of ethanol on the brain.

Even without alcohol, this “food set” is likely to cause stomach upset

Stomach pain after alcohol is a cry for help and a warning about the breakdown of adaptive mechanisms that eliminate negative consequences.

Cleansing the intestines from alcohol and its metabolites

Ethanol is not as dangerous as its metabolites, especially acetaldehyde. It is because of it that the central nervous system is overexcited. A person does not tolerate bright light, loud sounds, and his hands shake. The central nervous system is no longer able to properly regulate the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract, which leads to stagnation of the food bolus and defecation disorders. How to restore the intestines after alcohol :

• drink at least 2.5 liters of liquid - plain water, lightly salted mineral waters (Nagutskaya, Slavyanovskaya, Essentuki No. 2 and No. 4), berry fruit drinks, fruit compotes, vegetable juices;
• exclude fatty meats, rich soups, coffee, legumes, confectionery and sausages from the diet;
• eat more dairy products, fish, dried fruits, fresh fruits and vegetables, and cereals.

Salt or oil enemas will help improve bowel function during constipation. The optimal frequency of treatment procedures is no more than 3 times a week. Proctologists and gastroenterologists also recommend moving a lot, spending less time at the computer and watching TV.

What happens in the stomach?

Ethanol begins to break down from the moment it enters the stomach. Alcohol dehydrogenase in juice is an enzyme that oxidizes up to ¼ of the alcohol taken (meaning 25% does not reach the liver); here it converts ethanol into acetaldehyde. Simultaneous intake of fatty foods delays absorption, but does not neutralize or reduce toxicity.

The opposite effect is observed when a chronic patient with gastritis or ulcers takes drugs from the group of H2-histamine receptor blockers (Famotidine, Ranitidine, Cimetidine).

Medicines suppress the synthesis of alcohol dehydrogenase in the stomach and significantly increase the amount of unsplit ethanol entering the blood and then to the liver. This explains why people quickly become drunk after treatment and return to drinking alcohol.

The female body has a physiological feature - the enzyme alcohol dehydrogenase is produced in the gastric juice much less. This increases the load on the liver and promotes rapid addiction.

Acetaldehyde is tens of times more toxic than alcohol. It is considered a powerful carcinogen and is capable of causing mutations in genetic information. It is this substance that causes a high risk of developing stomach, esophagus and liver cancer in alcoholics.

Features of restoration of intestinal microflora

The first thing you need to do to normalize the microflora is to give up any alcoholic beverages. The next stage of therapy will be following a special diet. The following products are recommended for consumption:

• yoghurts and kefir;
• pineapple drinks;
• sauerkraut.

Fermented milk products will become a real savior in the fight for healthy microflora. They contain beneficial bacteria that compensate for the deficiency caused by alcohol intoxication. Kefir and yoghurt generally normalize the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract . They are nutritious and easily absorbed by the body. Fermented milk products created at home are more effective in absorption. It is best to consume kefir in the morning before breakfast.

Sauerkraut is a natural source of punches, which are the most important elements of intestinal microflora. This product is also rich in vitamins and beneficial microelements.

If you are wondering how alcohol affects the intestines, then pay attention to another useful product. We are talking about pineapple juice , rich in periodicals that are formed during the fermentation process.

How is the stomach damaged?

Changes begin already in the oral cavity: saliva becomes thicker, so food is not sufficiently wetted and moves through the esophagus more slowly than usual. Possible burns to the mucous membrane and impaired swallowing reflex.

Getting into the stomach and breaking down into acetaldehyde, alcohol increases the production of hydrochloric acid and pepsin, mucus. This mechanism temporarily performs a protective function and activates food processing. With a significant dosage or frequent use, compensatory changes are disrupted. First, the rate of gastric juice production slows down, then acidity drops.

What kind of alcohol is ok for pancreatitis?

As a result, the food bolus located in the stomach cavity is not digested, but decomposes, and the pressure inside the stomach increases. The delay in stay increases to 8 hours.

The motor function of the wall and sphincters of the organ is impaired. Reflux occurs back into the esophagus. An unpleasant smell of rotting is felt from the patient's mouth.

In the development of alcoholic gastric damage, a significant role is played by diseases of other organs of the digestive system, which react to acetaldehyde no less severely:

• liver;
• pancreas;
• gallbladder;
• kidney

Serious changes occur in the intestines. It does not receive enough enzymes necessary for digestion, so the contents do not reach the extent necessary for absorption through the intestinal villi into the blood and are thrown out with feces. Usually, in addition to stomach pain after drinking, people who abuse alcohol experience diarrhea and pain in the lower abdomen.

Treatment Options

The first step is eliminating the cause. In the alcoholic form, the cause is clear and easier to determine. However, achieving the goal is not always easy, because a person will first have to deal with addiction. However, there are effective treatments that will reduce symptoms and help you get rid of alcoholism. These include:

1. Medicines. As a first line of defense, your doctor may prescribe several different medications: antibiotics (useful against Helicobacter pylori bacteria because they slow their growth and spread), antacids (which reduce acid production). The therapeutic regimen may include vitamin B-12 injections, medications for anemia and iron deficiency.
2. Inpatient and outpatient alcoholism treatment programs. If the patient continues to abuse after finishing antibiotics or other medications, chronic gastritis will persist and may damage the stomach wall. To avoid this scenario, doctors may prescribe a patient an inpatient or outpatient program aimed at eliminating drinking in everyday life. The first 5-7 days are devoted to detoxification, and the subsequent time is devoted to changes in lifestyle.

What stomach diseases does alcohol cause?

When a patient has a stomach ache after drinking alcohol, this is a reason to consult a doctor. An examination will be required to help establish a specific disease of the stomach or other organ that causes similar pain.

Fibrogastroscopy is considered the most informative study. It can be done out of turn in private clinics. The endoscopic picture allows us to determine the extent of damage to the upper digestive tract.

Most often, examination reveals gastritis (acute or chronic), gastric ulcer, gastroesophageal reflux disease

In the absence of therapeutic measures and continued drunkenness, stomach cancer is possible after a few years. The doctor will tell you what to do and how to get rid of the pain syndrome after analyzing all the examination data.

Symptoms of acute and chronic alcoholic gastritis

The course of acute gastritis resembles food poisoning. In fact, this is what it is, only ethanol is used instead of low-quality products.

The patient appears:

• pain of a cramping or bursting type half an hour to an hour after drinking alcoholic beverages, localized in the epigastrium, radiating to the hypochondrium;
• nausea and vomiting of food eaten, sour stomach contents, mucus;
• heartburn, belching;
• feeling of bitterness in the mouth;
• tachycardia;
• pallor;
• the temperature rises.

Chronic gastritis causes pain without drinking alcohol. Heartburn and nausea often occur after any meal, especially fatty and fried foods. In the morning there is sudden vomiting of mucus.

I'm constantly thirsty. Worried about bowel movements (diarrhea or constipation). Appetite is impaired, weight is lost. Patients suffer from insomnia and are irritable, which is why they constantly create conflicts in the family and at work.

Symptoms of peptic ulcer

Stomach ulcers often accompany chronic alcoholism. It is formed as a result of refusal of treatment, violation of the diet for gastritis, and continued dependence on alcohol. Deeper damage to the stomach wall is accompanied by severe cramping pain in the epigastrium an hour after eating or earlier.

The pain radiates to the back and stomach. Accompanied by vomiting containing mucus and blood. Patients take a forced lying position with their knees pressed to their chest. If the ulcer is localized on the back wall of the stomach, intense back pain appears.

A perforated ulcer causes acute “dagger” pain and a state of shock. The patient quickly develops signs of peritonitis (inflammation of the peritoneum). A serious complication is bleeding from the vessels located in the ulcer area. Vomiting of “coffee grounds”, pain in the lower abdomen, diarrhea with liquid black feces are observed.

The general condition suffers: the patient becomes increasingly weak, blood pressure drops, and fainting is possible

Use of Medicines

If your intestines hurt after drinking alcohol, you can take a tablet of any non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (Nise, Ketorol) or antispasmodic (No-shpa, Spazmalgon). When dysbiosis becomes the cause of discomfort, you cannot do without a course of taking the following drugs :

• probiotics - Linex, Bifidumbacterin, Lactobacterin, Hilak Forte;
• prebiotics - Duphalac, Normaze, Symbicort.

Alcohol causes a persistent weakening of local immunity, which becomes a trigger for the development of diseases. To strengthen the body's defenses, immunomodulators are used (Immunal, Immunex, Immunorm). For alcohol intoxication, general strengthening balanced vitamin and mineral complexes are useful - Selmevit, Complivit, Centrum, Vitrum.

What can be done if pain is associated with alcohol intake?

For gastritis caused by alcohol intake, help includes:

• a ban on further consumption of any alcohol-containing drinks;
• gastric lavage with warm water and a weak solution of potassium permanganate;
• taking 4–6 tablets of activated carbon orally;
• you can drink 1-2 scoops of Almagel A, take a No-shpa or Bellaspon tablet.

Exacerbation of chronic diseases should be treated only after examination by a doctor. If the pain is very strong, cutting, and blood is visible in the vomit, you should call an ambulance. You cannot take anything on your own.

Some people experience pain during a hangover, and they try to justify their drinking habits by claiming relief after drinking more alcohol. The withdrawal state is caused by severe intoxication of brain cells. It must be removed with special preparations, and not with an additional dose of ethanol.

A strict diet is recommended for patients with chronic digestive diseases. Each intake of alcohol causes new exacerbations and shortens life expectancy. With a sick stomach, an additional irritating effect activates all the negative factors of the disease. Gastritis quickly turns into an ulcer, then into cancer.

The drug should be taken with water, acts like a sponge, absorbs and removes waste and toxic toxins.

Even after a small dose, when dull, aching pain in the epigastrium appears, you need to take advantage of the cleansing effect of activated charcoal, Smecta, Enterosgel, Polysorb to get rid of toxins. If you have increased acidity and heartburn, you can take Gastal; Festal will help stop diarrhea.

You will have to follow a strict diet for several days; it is not a cure, but it can delay the destruction of digestion by alcohol.

Strictly contraindicated:

• fried and smoked meat dishes;
• pickles, mushrooms, spicy seasonings;
• legumes and cabbage dishes;
• strong tea, coffee, sparkling water;
• sweets and baked goods.

You can eat:

• low-fat soups;
• porridge with water;
• cottage cheese;
• cured meat products (meatballs, meatballs);
• casseroles.

You should consult your doctor about further expansion of your diet.

Literature:

1. Gastroenterology. Internal diseases [Electronic resource]: textbook for students studying in the specialty 06010165 - General Medicine and 06010365 - Pediatrics / D. I. Trukhan, I. A. Viktorova. - St. Petersburg: SpetsLit, 2013. - 367 p.
2. Gastroenterology: reference book / Baranovsky A.Yu. and etc.]; edited by A. Yu. Baranovsky. - Moscow: St. Petersburg, 2011. - 506 p.
3. Diseases of the digestive system: hand. on gastroenterology for doctors / L. N. Valenkevich, O. I. Yakhontova. - St. Petersburg: Dean, 2006. - 655 p.

The text was checked by medical experts: Head of the socio-psychological service of the Alkoklinik MC, psychiatrist-narcologist L.A. Serova.

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Traditional medicine recommendations

Folk remedies for pain after alcohol are not always approved by official medicine. For example, the recommendation to eat plums or peppercorns does not fit in with the direction of dietary nutrition.

You can use herbal tea made from currant leaves, mint, and chamomile. These plants soothe pain and relieve intoxication. Taking a tablespoon of flaxseed or sea buckthorn oil helps.

People who are addicted to alcoholic drinks of any kind, including cocktails with alcohol, liqueurs, cognac, and beer, should think more about their health. The appearance of an attack of pain is a signal of the beginning of damage to the entire digestion.

Prevention

In order to avoid pain after drinking alcohol, you must follow some rules.
Alcoholic drinks should not be taken on an empty stomach. Before the feast, you need to arrange a small snack. When drinking alcoholic beverages, they must be eaten with high-calorie dishes. You can avoid the negative consequences of drinking if you follow the individual acceptable limit. In order not to experience a feeling of heaviness in the stomach, it is recommended to take drugs such as Festal, Mezim Forte. However, we recommend that you completely eliminate alcohol from your life; to do this, you can undergo treatment for alcohol addiction using coding using the Dovzhenko method.