Why do I have diarrhea after drinking alcohol?

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Posted by Master, Doctor Mai Vien Phuong - Department of Examination & Internal Medicine - Vinmec Central Park International General Hospital
Experts estimate 70% of Americans 18 years of age and older have consumed alcoholic beverages in the past year. However, many people don't know about a very common consequence of drinking alcohol: Diarrhea

1. What causes diarrhea?

Anyone can experience diarrhea one or more times. They happen when you have loose stools instead of already formed stools.
Loose bowel movements are usually caused by a short-term illness, such as food poisoning or a virus. However, sometimes they are the result of an underlying medical condition.
Diarrhea causes the body to lose excess water, so it is important to drink more water when you have diarrhea to prevent serious side effects.
If loose bowel movements are a side effect of a chronic condition, your doctor can often help you treat it.

2. Causes of loose stools

There are many causes of diarrhea such as:
Acute illness, such as exposure to bacteria, viruses or even parasites that irritate the digestive tract Constipation Gastrointestinal disorders Injury to the anal sphincter due to childbirth History of rectal or anal surgery, such as to remove hemorrhoids, remove tumors, or to treat abscesses and anal fistulas The body does not absorb certain compounds such as: milk, carbohydrates, or sugars Loose bowel movements can be accompanied by many unpleasant symptoms including:
Abdominal cramps and pain Fatigue Fever Nausea Urgent Urination Vomiting If you notice an unexplained color change in your loose stools , especially red, black, or tar-colored stools, seek urgent medical attention if there are signs of gastrointestinal bleeding. If too much blood is lost, this can be life-threatening.

3. Diarrhea after drinking alcohol, beer due to what causes?

When you drink alcohol, beer, it will move to the stomach. Alcohol will be absorbed along with some of the nutrients of food into the bloodstream through cells in the stomach wall, slowing the digestion of alcohol.
If you are hungry, alcohol will continue to the small intestine, where it also passes through the cells of the intestinal wall, but at a much faster rate. This is the cause of fatigue. chills, irritability and this happens faster when you drink on an empty stomach.
Alcohol increases the rate of contractions, this does not allow the colon to absorb water as it should. This causes your stools to come out like diarrhea, often very quickly and with lots of water.
When drinking large amounts of alcohol, beer can slow down the digestive process and cause constipation.
Alcohol can irritate the digestive tract, making diarrhea worse. Especially occurs most often with wine, which tends to destroy helpful bacteria in the gut.

4. Who is at high risk of diarrhea after drinking alcohol?

People with intestinal disease are more prone to alcohol-induced diarrhea:
Celiac disease Irritable bowel syndrome Crohn's disease People with intestinal disease drinking alcohol can worsen their symptoms and cause diarrhea. diarrhea.
People who lack sleep, sleep at the wrong time also often have diarrhea after drinking alcohol than others.
Scientists have found that chronic lack of sleep makes the digestive tract more sensitive to the effects of alcohol because it is not normally resting.

5. Are there home treatments for alcoholic diarrhea?

Stop drinking. Stop drinking until your digestion returns to normal. When taken again, the diarrhea may return.
If you limit your alcohol intake, most cases of alcoholic diarrhea will go away after a few days.
What to eat and drink?
Eat foods that are easy to digest to calm your stomach. Examples include: Cookies soda, toast, bananas, eggs, rice, chicken,...
Drink plenty of clear liquids, such as water, broth, and juices to replace the amount. fluid is lost when you have diarrhea.
What should be avoided?
Do not drink beverages containing caffeine, they cause diarrhea worse.
Avoid the following:
High-fiber foods Milk High-fat foods Spicy foods Medical treatment
Use anti-diarrheal medicine when needed
Consider probiotics. Talk to your doctor about the dosage that should be taken.
Probiotics are also found in some foods like yogurt, sauerkraut.
When should I see a doctor?
Usually, diarrhea after drinking alcohol goes away on its own after a few days of home care.
Prolonged diarrhea causes dangerous complications such as dehydration. Untreated dehydration is life-threatening.
Symptoms of dehydration such as:
Thirst Dry mouth and skin Decreased urine output Frequent urination Extreme fatigue Dizziness Fatigue Lightheadedness Dark urine See a doctor if you have symptoms of dehydration and:
You have diarrhea for more than two days. Severe abdominal or rectal pain. Your stools are bloody or black. You have a fever higher than 102 ̊F (39 ̊C).
If you experience frequent diarrhea after drinking alcohol, you may want to reconsider your drinking habits.

The Department of Endoscopy - Gastroenterology is one of the key specialties at Vinmec International General Hospital. For timely examination, advice and treatment of digestive diseases, you can contact Vinmec Health System nationwide or book an appointment on the website for service.

Please dial HOTLINE for more information or register for an appointment HERE. Download MyVinmec app to make appointments faster and to manage your bookings easily.

References
Bujanda L. (2000). The effects of alcohol consumption upon the gastrointestinal tract. DOI: 10.1111/j.1572-0241.2000.03347.x Chiba T, et al. (2000). Alcohol-related diarrhea. DOI: 10.1080/13556210050003702 Common causes of chronic diarrhea. (2016). iffgd.org/lower-gi-disorders/diarrhea/common-causes.html Forsyth CB. (2015). Circadian rhythms, alcohol and gut interactions. DOI: 10.1016/j.alcohol.2014.07.021