Which Alcohol Is Not Bad for Stomach: Effects and What to Do

The treatment for alcohol-induced gastritis can also be medical or perhaps be treated with the intake of a specific food. Doctors could prescribe various medications which would be helpful. Some of which could include antacids (a basic solution to lower the concentration of the gastric acid), H2 antagonist; ranitidine, proton pump inhibitor; such as Prilosec.

If you are interested in seeking treatment for alcohol addiction, please contact an AAC facility in your area. They will be happy to answer any questions via a confidential hotline you have and help you get started on the road to recovery. Alcohol gastritis can improve and potentially resolve when alcohol consumption is ceased or significantly reduced. The degree and speed of recovery can vary among individuals, and some cases may require medical intervention and dietary changes for full healing.

1. Pylori bacteria or blood, which are commonly found with gastritis.
2. The best way to prevent alcoholic gastritis is only to drink in moderation.
3. At Monument, you can meet with a physician online to discuss your symptoms and create a plan to change your drinking habits and improve your health.

Gastritis can become serious, especially if it is chronic and the lining of the stomach has thinned and become damaged. If you have only had gastritis for a short period, the healing time should be short (generally a week or so), but only if your stomach is no longer exposed to alcohol and other irritants. The blood supply to the stomach also slows, as does the rate of stomach lining repair. Below, we’ll discuss the basics of gastritis and alcohol, how you can protect your stomach, and how you can help it recover if you’re already experiencing this condition. Other things can also cause these symptoms, so check with a doctor for a diagnosis and treatment.

We are here to provide assistance in locating an Ark Behavioral Health treatment center that may meet your treatment needs. Heavy drinking, alcohol cravings, anxiety, and/or depression when not drinking are all signs of a drinking problem. This alcoholics nose: what it is & its causes tube is equipped with a camera, allowing the doctor to inspect your digestive system for signs of inflammation. The doctor can also use the endoscope to retrieve small tissue samples for laboratory examination (this is known as a biopsy).

Untreated Alcoholic Gastritis

Genetic predisposition and exposure to other stomach irritants determine how much damage is done. But chronic gastritis can lead to complications such as ulcers that may even require surgery. Gastritis is inflammation of the stomach caused by damage to its lining by irritants. While symptoms are sometimes mild, gastritis can leave you feeling quite ill, and can lead to life-threatening complications in certain cases. Most of the time, medication and other treatments ease gastritis symptoms quickly. But if your gastritis is related to drinking, quitting or cutting back on alcohol needs to be part of your plan, too.

What Is Gastritis?

We offer outpatient alcohol addiction treatment at our rehab program in Cincinnati, Ohio. In rare and severe instances, bleeding from the stomach lining can lead to the vomiting of blood, a condition known as hematemesis, which requires immediate medical attention. A recent study suggests that alcohol also can be metabolized by bacteria residing in the large intestine (Salaspuro 1996).

In this pathway, alcohol is transported to the colon via the bloodstream and converted to acetaldehyde by bacterial ADH (see figure). The acetaldehyde subsequently can be metabolized further by the enzyme aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH), which is localized in the colonic mucosa or the colonic bacteria. Alternatively, the acetaldehyde can be absorbed into the bloodstream and transported to the liver for further degradation. Because ALDH activity in the colonic mucosa is low, acetaldehyde accumulates in the colon and may even exceed the concentration found in the liver (Salaspuro 1996). These high acetaldehyde levels in the colon may contribute to the development of alcohol-induced diarrhea and—after absorption into the blood—liver injury. Some researchers have postulated that first-pass metabolism in humans occurs primarily in the stomach (Gentry et al. 1994) and correlates significantly with gastric ADH activity.

Your healthcare provider can diagnose you with alcoholic gastritis by performing a series of tests. They’ll likely conduct a physical exam and discuss your health history. Acute gastritis is a sudden inflammation or swelling in the stomach lining. On the other hand, chronic gastritis is a long-term condition that develops gradually. The increased stomach acid can gradually erode and irritate the stomach lining. If you have gastritis, it is not safe to continue to drink alcohol.

Is It Possible To Treat Gastritis Caused By Alcohol Abuse?

Integrating the treatment of alcoholic gastritis with alcohol addiction therapy ensures a more holistic approach. It acknowledges the interconnection between physical health and substance abuse, paving the way for a more comprehensive and sustainable recovery. Alcoholic gastritis is a specific form of gastritis that arises primarily due to heavy drinking. Characterized by the inflammation of the stomach lining, this condition can be a direct consequence of alcohol’s irritating impact on the stomach’s protective layers. 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.

As someone who is also in recovery, I wanted to provide hope, share lived experience, and support others on their journey. Nausea is a common symptom of gastritis, and it may be accompanied by episodes of vomiting, which can provide design for recovery temporary relief but do not address the underlying issue. Options include H pylori-eradication therapy, reduction of NSAIDs or alcohol exposure, and symptomatic therapy with H₂ antagonists and/or proton-pump inhibitors.

Drinking Moderately and Gastritis

Call your healthcare provider if your symptoms get worse or if you have new symptoms. Call right away if you have bloody vomit, blood in your stools, or black, tarry-looking stools. Call right away if you have side effects from your medicines or have questions about how to take them. But it can get inflamed and irritated if you drink too much alcohol, have damage from pain relievers called NSAIDs, or smoke.

A life away from drugs and alcohol seemed impossible for someone like me. I remember what it was like sitting across from someone thinking there is no way they could ever understand are alcoholism and drug addiction disabilities what I was going through. Bill Zimmerman is a Greater Cincinnati Area native who has worked in substance use disorder/co-occurring mental health disorder treatment since 2018.

This article focuses on the causes and treatment of gastritis, signs and symptoms, and explains the interrelationship that exists between alcohol and gastritis. In essence, alcoholic gastritis is not just a stomach ailment but a warning sign of the broader impacts of alcohol abuse on the body. Its occurrence highlights the importance of addressing not only the symptoms but also the underlying cause – excessive alcohol consumption. In addition to providing tools for alcohol reduction, a doctor may prescribe specific treatments for alcoholic gastritis.

Alcohol itself, however, also is rapidly absorbed in the small intestine. Therefore, alcohol’s effects on nutrient absorption may vary throughout the small intestine, and tissue-culture experiments with constant alcohol concentrations may not always reflect the conditions in the body. A major surgery, trauma or critical illness can cause acute gastritis.

Join 40,000+ People Who Receive Our Newsletter Get valuable resources on addiction, recovery, wellness, and our treatments delivered directly to your inbox. In addition to alcohol rehab, we offer extensive counseling, advanced therapies, ongoing support, and a safe environment where you can get the help you need. With Zinnia Health, you’re not just getting treatment; you’re gaining a partner in your journey towards better gastric health and overall wellness. Gastritis is an inflammation, irritation, or erosion of the lining of the stomach.