Abdominal pain from alcohol

introduction

Abdominal pain that occurs after consuming alcohol can be caused by pathological processes in several organs. If alcohol is only occasionally consumed, the gastrointestinal tract is usually the place where the pain develops, whereas organs such as the liver, the pancreas or the gall bladder can also be responsible for the development of pain with regular consumption.

causes

If the source of the pain is in the gastrointestinal tract, in most cases the trigger is an imbalance between gastric protection and acid production. Normally, the stomach is protected by a layer of mucus lining the stomach wall, which prevents the Stomach acid comes into direct contact with the wall of the stomach and thus damages it. If the balance between the production of gastric acid and gastric protective mucus is disturbed, it can lead to a Inflammation of the lining of the stomach (gastritis) often manifested by sharp pain in the upper abdomen.

Since alcohol stimulates the production of gastric acid, it shifts the balance between stomach protection and aggressive acid and can thus promote gastritis. This can even lead to the point that it is caused by alcohol consumption Stomach or small intestinal ulcer (ulcer) can form, which then causes permanent pain, which then no longer has to occur in direct connection with alcohol consumption.
If the gastric mucosa has already been damaged by other factors, even small amounts of alcohol are sufficient to shake the balance between acid production and gastric protection and cause abdominal pain. Regular alcohol consumption can cause such stress on the body that individual organs are damaged. A typical example of this is the Cirrhosis of the liverthat is favored by chronic alcohol consumption. The abdominal pain often manifests itself in the form of dull pain over the right upper abdomen.

Symptoms

diarrhea

Sometimes abdominal pain after drinking alcohol is accompanied by diarrhea. This can be explained by a change in the absorption (recovery) of water and sodium from the intestine caused by alcohol. Here, more sodium remains inside the intestine, which is osmotically followed by water and thus liquefies the stool. This in turn manifests itself in the form of diarrhea. In addition to the diarrhea that can occur with occasional alcohol consumption, there are other types of diarrhea that can be caused by chronic alcohol consumption due to damage to internal organs.
Typical organs that are affected by alcohol are the liver and pancreas. Both are essential for a functioning digestion. If the organs are restricted in their function, diarrhea can occur. In contrast to diarrhea after a single alcohol consumption, these are chronic and do not go away on their own. If such persistent diarrhea is present, a doctor should definitely be consulted.

Read more on the topic: Diarrhea after alcohol and Diarrhea after beer

Flatulence

Alcohol has a slowing effect on digestion by relaxing the muscles. Therefore, the intestinal peristalsis can be impaired, as a result of which the chyme remains in the intestine longer than usual before it can be transported further and absorbed. Intestinal bacteria make use of this, which in turn break down the food and utilize sugar, which is often associated with the formation of gases. The gases can inflate the intestines and lead to severe abdominal pain.
In addition to avoiding alcohol, a lot of exercise can help to remove the gas that has been collected and to have a positive effect on intestinal motility (bowel movement). Espresso has a similar effect after eating or after consuming alcohol. This stimulates the peristalsis and can thus have a positive effect on the inertia of the intestine caused by alcohol.

therapy

If abdominal pain occurs the day after excessive alcohol consumption as an accompanying symptom of the "hangover", there is usually no need for further action. Since there are often nausea and headaches, it is important to drink enough water or herbal tea. When it comes to eating, it is advisable to listen to your own body. If you have an appetite, you can also eat, whereas you should avoid it if you are sick.
Painkillers such as aspirin or ibuprofen are not recommended for abdominal pain after alcohol consumption due to the already predominant gastric acid production. These drugs shift the balance even further towards acid production, which in turn has an adverse effect on abdominal pain. Over-the-counter preparations such as Iberogast, which soothes the digestive tract, can provide relief.
If the pain does not improve within a few days, a doctor should be consulted. This will try to find out the cause of the pain with the help of an anamnesis and a physical examination and then treat it accordingly. Often then, drugs are prescribed that inhibit the production of stomach acid (proton pump inhibitors) and thus quickly lead to an improvement in abdominal pain.

Read more on the topic: Painkillers after alcohol and Nausea after drinking alcohol - what helps?