How does alcohol use affect bowel movements?
To answer the question ofdoes alcohol affects bowel movements, yes, it does.It is quite common to experience diarrhea after alcohol consumption.
If youdrink alcohol, you may be wondering if it affects your gastrointestinal (GI) tract and if it can cause problems with bowel movements. Alcohol use can affect all systems within the body, including the GI tract.
Article at a Glance:
Several key takeaways about alcohol and bowel movements include:
Alcohol can significantly affect bowel movements
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Alcohol use affects the large intestine, causes impaired nutrient absorption, worsens symptoms of IBS, causes dehydration and may lead to internal bleeding
Chronic alcohol use may lead to severe effects like internal bleeding in the GI tract
Stay hydrated when drinking alcohol to avoid bowel-related side effects
Speak with a medical professional if you experience any concerning bowel-related symptoms after alcohol use
How Alcohol Affects Bowel Movements
To understandhow alcohol affects the GI tract, it’s important to know how the GI tract functions in the presence of alcohol.
When alcohol is ingested, most of it is absorbed into the bloodstream from the stomach and the upper part of the small intestine. If food is present in the stomach and small intestine, the absorption of alcohol will be slower. Alcohol is also an irritant to the stomach and can cause stomach inflammation calledgastritis.
Related Topic:Alcohol gastritis treatment
Faster Contractions of the Large Intestine
Some of the alcohol that wasn’t absorbed in the upper GI tract will make its way to the large intestine, where it can cause the large intestine to contract, or squeeze, faster than it normally would.
Since the large intestine is the area in the GI tract where water is usually absorbed back into the body with slow squeezing movements, the quicker contractions don’t allow for as much water to be absorbed as usual. More water remains in the large intestine because of this, which leads to the formation of watery stool and diarrhea.
Impaired Nutrient Absorption
Since alcohol causes the intestines to move faster than normal, sometimes nutrients from food aren’t absorbed well. Over a long time, this effect can result in nutrient deficiencies and malnutrition, and often requires supplementation and medical attention.
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
Alcoholcan alsotriggerirritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Unfortunately, IBS is a common condition that affects the GI tract, the cause of which is unknown. A person who has IBS may experience worsened symptoms when consuming alcohol.
People with other GI diseases like Crohn’s disease and celiac disease may also experience additional, or worsened, symptoms when drinking alcohol.
Diarrhea and Dehydration
Alcohol is a diuretic, which means it increases urine volume and causes the need to urinate frequently. Alcohol’s diuretic effects can lead to dehydration. It’s important to note that alcohol-related diarrhea can also cause dehydration, which can be severe. If you are experiencing alcohol-induced diarrhea, stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water.
If you notice symptoms related to alcohol consumption that last more than a day or two, it is a good idea to seek the advice of a medical professional. Symptoms that can indicateserious problems related to dehydrationare dizziness, weakness, lightheadedness and sleepiness. Sometimes taking an anti-diarrheal medication like Pepto Bismol can decrease the diarrhea symptoms.
Internal Bleeding
Long-termalcohol abusecan cause bleeding in the stomach and intestines as well. If there is bleeding in the upper GI tract, the blood will turn dark (almost black) when it makes its way to the large intestine where stool is formed. If you notice dark, or black, stool it could signify bleeding in the stomach which requires medical attention.
Effects of Alcohol on the GI Tract
Alcohol can cause negative effects on the GI tract in several different ways. Especially with long-term andheavy alcohol use, these effects can be serious and require medical attention.
These effects include:
- Dehydration
- Diarrhea
- Bleeding in the stomach or intestines
- Reduced nutrient absorption
- Stomach inflammation (gastritis)
- Triggering of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) or Crohn’s disease flares
Ways to Lessen the Effects of Alcohol on the GI Tract
One way to avoid the negative symptoms of alcohol consumption is not to drink alcohol. Avoiding alcohol is not always a viable solution for some people.
If you are going to drink alcohol, there are ways to lessen alcohol’s effects on the GI tract, including:
- Drink only in moderation (one drink a day for women, two drinks a day for men)
- Don’t ingest drinks that are high in sugar or artificial sweeteners
- Drink plenty of water while drinking alcohol
- Avoid drinks with caffeine, since this can dehydrate you even more
- Avoid drinking on an empty stomach
If you or a loved one uses alcohol and suspect that it is causing problems, consider seeking professional assistance. The Recovery Village can help withpersonalized treatmentfor alcohol addiction.Contact us todayto discover more about your treatment options.
