Why do I have Diarrhea after drinking?

Most people who drink know that drinking on an empty stomach makes you drunker quicker. But it can cause diarrhea, and stomach and bowel problems as well.

When you drink alcohol, it goes into your stomach. What happens next depends on whether there is already food in there.

If there is food, the stomach absorbs the alcohol alongside the food. This keeps the absorption into the next step, your bowels slow.

Drinking too much can cause chronic diarrhea and permanent stomach problems.

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Why Does Alcohol Give You Diarrhea?

Alcohol is a diuretic. This means that it speeds up and increases how much fluid leaves your body. This is only part of the puzzle though.

The reason we get diarrhea after drinking lies in how it impacts the digestive system and interacts with food. If you drink too much after or while eating, you might find that you get constipation instead.

Without food to slow down the move to digestion alcohol is processed very quickly by the stomach. It enters the intestinal wall and is quickly processed.

Our small and large intestines take the waste and slowly push it out. If it goes at the normal healthy rate, then your stool will be as you normally expect. However, alcohol speeds the pushing and so there isn’t time to consolidate causing diarrhea.

Can Red Wine Cause Diarrhea?

There are a few reasons why red wine causes diarrhea. Because it is so high in sugar it speeds up the process of digestion through the intestines.

If you find you only get diarrhea from wine, it may be that you have an intolerance to the tannins or preservatives. These can cause an allergic reaction and will include diarrhea, headaches and other stomach issues such as vomiting.

Can Beer Give You Diarrhea?

One of the most common drinks that cause diarrhea is beer. This is because it is so high in carbohydrates. Drinking interferes with our body’s ability to digest carbohydrates and taking them at the same time as alcohol can lead to digestive issues.

The same goes for eating high carb foods when you are drinking. Eating a lot of carbohydrates normally can cause diarrhea even when not drinking.

Alcohol makes this process even more difficult and can lead to several stomach problems. The same goes for greasy or high in fibre.

Diarrhea 2 Days After Hangover

Diarrhea caused by drinking too much should resolve in 1-2 days. If it doesn’t you should consider whether you have a further issue.

If you continue drinking without a break, then diarrhea can be constant. This is dangerous and it leads to dehydration which is bad for your entire body.

If you have stopped drinking and still have issues with diarrhea you should consult a doctor. There are some medical issues that cause diarrhea such as IBS (irritable bowel syndrome), celiac disease, allergies, or an infection. Many of these conditions are made worse by drinking again.

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How to Stop Diarrhea After Drinking Alcohol

Stopping drinking is the first step in stopping this problem. Of course, if you continue drinking diarrhea will get worse and leave you dehydrated and often sore.

Over the counter help

• Rehydration salts
• Diarrhea tablets e.g. Imodium, Kaopectate, Pepto-Bismol
• Raspberry leaves
• Apple Cider Vinegar
• Probiotics or speciality yoghurt

Dietary recommendations

• Eat easy to digest food – bread, rice, eggs and yoghurt, soup
• Drink water or squash – small sips regularly
• Avoid fatty, spicy, high carb and dairy food

Detox, Alcohol & Diarrhea

If you are going through alcohol detox because you are dependent on alcohol you may experience diarrhea long-term.

Stomach pain is also common because drinking excessively and regularly can damage the lining of your stomach.

Your entire digestive tract from your mouth to the exit is damaged by the overuse of alcohol. The stomach and intestines can get gaps in them allowing bacteria and other toxins to enter the bloodstream directly.

If you feel you need to cut down or stop drinking Desistal can help you with your health and cravings while you detox.

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