Alcohol and gastritis don't mix. Alcohol irritates your stomach lining and can make gastritis worse. If you have gastritis, avoid alcohol or drink it in moderation. However, this may be easier said than done if you have an alcohol addiction.
Alcohol and the stomach
Some evidence suggests alcoholic drinks can make your stomach produce more acid than usual, which can gradually wear away your stomach lining and make it inflamed and painful (gastritis). Over weeks or months, this could mean you develop painful ulcers in your stomach lining.
Alcoholic gastritis is highly treatable. If you stop drinking alcohol, your stomach lining will repair itself in time.
While the recovery process is not always quick or easy, there are effective treatment methods that can reduce alcohol gastritis symptoms and battle the underlying cause of alcoholism.
Left untreated, gastritis may lead to stomach ulcers and stomach bleeding. Rarely, some forms of chronic gastritis may increase your risk of stomach cancer, especially if you have extensive thinning of the stomach lining and changes in the lining's cells.
Dr Sarmed Sami advises that gastritis can last between a few days to a month or longer. The treatment will depend on the specific cause for each patient. If you're experiencing gastritis, book an appointment to seek expert care. Dr Sarmed Sami advises that gastritis can last between a few days to a month or longer.
Eating a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean protein can help to heal the lining of your stomach and reduce inflammation. Take antacids. Over-the-counter antacids can help to neutralize the acid in your stomach and provide relief from symptoms of alcoholic gastritis. Reduce stress.
Water has a neutral ph. Drinking large amounts of water controls the acid levels of gastric juices, which helps accelerate the healing of gastritis. You should avoid drinking too much water immediately before and after meals, as it can be counterproductive.
If you are diagnosed with chronic gastritis, its symptoms can be eased with lifestyle changes: relaxation techniques, avoiding NSAID painkillers and alcohol, not smoking, eating smaller portions more frequently instead of a big meal, and cutting down on known irritants in your diet such as fried, spicy or acidic foods.
A 2021 review of research notes that several studies determined that two to four weeks of abstinence from alcohol by heavy-alcohol users helped reduce inflammation and bring down elevated serum levels in the liver. In short: A few weeks off will help.
Alcohol bloating may last a few days or even a few weeks, depending on what is causing the irritation and inflammation. The length of time it takes for the effects of alcohol on a bloated stomach to improve depends on how regularly you consume alcohol and the extent of your bloating.
According to the pH level, gin, tequila, and non-grain vodkas are the lowest acidity options; choosing drinks made with these alcohols will be best on your stomach. You'll be best served by a drink made with a light juice like apple, pear, or cranberry, but sometimes you just really want that kick of citrus.
Over time, excessive alcohol use can lead to the development of chronic diseases and other serious problems including: High blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, liver disease, and digestive problems.
Damage to the stomach lining is very common and will resolve on its own in most cases.
Gastritis is inflammation (irritation) of the stomach lining. Common causes include infection, anti-inflammatory medication and alcohol. Treatment options include avoiding exposure to known irritants, and medication to reduce the amount of gastric juices.
Although stress and spicy foods don't cause gastritis and ulcers, they can make symptoms worse. Milk might provide brief relief, but it also increases stomach acid, which can worsen symptoms. Your doctor may recommend taking antacids or other drugs to reduce acid in the stomach.
Chronic gastritis doesn't go away by itself, but treatment can help it go away. Chronic gastritis is linked to another chronic condition that you have. Specific treatments can cure some of these conditions. Other conditions aren't curable, but long-term treatments can reduce the inflammation they cause.
Chronic gastritis is a long term condition that can lead to pain, nausea, bloating, and other symptoms. Chronic gastritis is one of the most common chronic conditions and can last for years or even a lifetime if left untreated.
The healing period for gastritis depends on the cause. Acute gastritis may require medications, but it usually clears within a few days . If a person does not treat gastritis, it may develop into chronic gastritis, which may take months or years to go away.
Treatment of gastritis depends on the specific cause. Acute gastritis caused by nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or alcohol may be relieved by stopping use of those substances. Medications used to treat gastritis include: Antibiotic medications to kill H. pylori.
Gastritis Can Become a Serious Emergency
Feeling confused or passing out can also indicate blood loss. If there is bright red or maroon blood in the stool, a “tarry” appearance in the stool, or vomiting of blood, this is considered an emergency and may be life-threatening.
One person with gastritis may have no noticeable symptoms, while another may have severe symptoms. Typically, people report a sharp, stabbing, or burning pain in the upper-center or upper-left abdomen. The pain often radiates to the back. Other common symptoms include bloating and nausea.