Understanding Alcohol-Induced Gastritis

A night of drinking can leave anyone feeling slightly worse for wear the next day. However, if stomach pain, sickness and a burning sensation in your upper abdomen become a recurring pattern, it might indicate a more serious problem. Here, we delve deeper into alcohol-induced gastritis – a common yet often overlooked condition that can lead to painful complications if left untreated.

 

What Is Gastritis?

Gastritis is when the stomach lining becomes inflamed, irritated or begins to erode. Your stomach is usually protected by its mucosa, a barrier that shields it from acidic digestive juices required to break down food. When the lining becomes compromised or inflamed, the acid begins to irritate underlying tissues.

There are different types of gastritis:

• Acute gastritis: the sudden and severe onset of inflammation and often stops once the irritating substance is removed.
• Chronic gastritis: Gradual and long-term inflammation that develops over months or years and can lead to permanent damage in the stomach lining.

Some people with gastritis may notice no symptoms at all, while others experience daily pain and discomfort. It’s also important to remember that occasional indigestion and heartburn after drinking is normal and doesn’t mean you have gastritis. But severe and persistent symptoms should be looked at by a doctor.

 

How Does Alcohol Cause Gastritis?

Alcohol is a chemical irritant when it comes to the gastrointestinal tract. When you drink alcohol, it comes into direct contact with the stomach mucosa. Studies show that repeated or heavy alcohol consumption affects the stomach in several ways:

1. Erosion of the mucosa: Alcohol acts as a solvent and directly breaks down the protective mucus layer, allowing stomach acid to reach the vulnerable cells beneath.
2. Increased acid production: Alcohol can cause the stomach to produce more gastric acid, which increases irritation and exacerbates conditions like acid reflux and indigestion.
3. Delayed stomach emptying: Heavy drinking can slow down the speed at which the stomach empties its contents, meaning the stomach lining is exposed to acidic fluid for longer periods.

Individual experience and tolerances vary. Some people develop symptoms after one session of intense drinking while others binge drink over several years and don’t experience symptoms. Genetic make-up, stress and overall gut health play a key role in how resistant your stomach is to alcohol irritation.

 

Symptoms of Alcohol-Induced Gastritis

The signs of alcohol-induced gastritis often flare up after drinking sessions, but chronic sufferers may feel unwell all the time. Some of the most common symptoms include:

• Upper abdominal pain
• Indigestion
• Bloating
• Nausea and vomiting
• Loss of appetite

Because these symptoms overlap with other digestive issues, relying on symptoms alone isn’t enough to make a diagnosis. This is another reason why you should get in touch with a doctor if you experience any of the above.

 

Warning Signs of Gastrointestinal Bleeding

Severe and unmanaged gastritis can erode blood vessels in the stomach lining, causing internal bleeding. This is a medical emergency that should never be ignored. Signs to look out for include:

• Vomiting bright red blood or dark material that looks like coffee grounds
• Passing black, tarry, sticky and unusually foul-smelling stools
• Sudden, severe or sharp abdominal or chest pain
• Dizziness, lightheadedness, shortness of breath or collapse

 

Other Causes of Gastritis

While gastritis is commonly caused by alcohol, it can also be caused or aggravated by:

• Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection: A common bacterial infection that lives in the stomach lining and causes chronic inflammation.
• Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs: Regular use of painkillers such as ibuprofen, naproxen or aspirin can erode the stomach lining.
• Smoking: Tobacco weakens the lower oesophageal sphincter and impacts the stomach lining’s ability to repair itself.
• Physiological stress: Physical trauma, major surgery, or critical illness can trigger acute gastritis.
• Autoimmune conditions: In these instances, the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks the stomach’s own mucosal cells. This is known as autoimmune gastritis.

A medical professional can evaluate your symptoms and carry out relevant tests to determine the root cause of your gastritis.

 

How Is Gastritis Diagnosed?

Your GP will assess your medical history and ask about your symptoms, medication use, dietary habits, and alcohol consumption patterns. They may also recommend specific tests including blood tests to check for anemia, stool tests to detect hidden blood or H. pylori antigens, or tests to confirm an H. pylori infection.

If needed, an endoscopy might be arranged. This is where a thin and flexible tube with a camera is passed down your throat into your stomach. It allows doctors to inspect the stomach lining and take tiny tissue samples.

 

How Is Alcohol-Induced Gastritis Treated?

Treatment focuses on reducing the acid in the stomach in order to give the lining time to heal. As well as this, addressing the root cause of the irritation is a priority. Typically, this might include medication to suppress acid, targeted treatment for underlying causes such as antibiotics if an infection is present and support for stopping alcohol.

 

Can Alcohol-Induced Gastritis Heal?

The stomach lining can heal very quickly once the primary source of irritation is removed and proper treatment is followed. However, recovery does vary from person to person. Acute gastritis might resolve within a few weeks once alcohol consumption has ceased while chronic symptoms can take longer to repair.

One thing to note is that continuing to drink alcohol while you’re trying to treat gastritis symptoms can increase the risk of serious complications and delayed healing.

 

What Can Help During Recovery?

As well as any treatment recommended by your doctor, there are everyday adjustments you can make that can help to soothe stomach discomfort. This includes eliminating alcohol and trigger foods and eating smaller and more frequent meals. Studies show that spicy, greasy, acidic and fried foods can provoke indigestion. Consuming smaller portions of food throughout the day can also prevent the stomach from becoming overloaded with digestive acid.

You may want to speak to a pharmacist or GP regarding over-the-counter medications too. Common painkillers like ibuprofen can make gastritis worse, so finding an alternative can help symptoms.

Be wary of home remedies and detox cleanses that claim to cure gastritis too. These can irritate an already inflamed gut and cause even more damage.

 

When Gastritis Is Linked to Alcohol Dependence

For some people, stopping alcohol consumption isn’t easy. However, if you continue to drink despite experiencing severe health symptoms, or despite direct medical advice to stop, you may be suffering from alcohol addiction. Other signs include:

• Experiencing daily cravings for alcohol
• Needing larger amounts to feel the same effect
• Experiencing withdrawal symptoms when you stop drinking

What’s more, if you’re physically dependent on alcohol, stopping drinking with medical supervision can be dangerous. That’s why it’s important to get in touch with a professional addiction specialist or GP for support.

They will help you to address both the physical addiction and the psychological factors behind it through detox, therapy, relapse prevention and aftercare.

At Addiction Advocates, we provide confidential guidance and residential rehab treatment tailored to individual medical and personal needs. So, if you’re suffering from upper abdominal pain, chronic indigestion or digestive distress, get in touch with your GP, and if you think it’s related to your drinking, call us today on 0800 012 6088  for advice on your treatment options.