What Causes Stomach Pain After Drinking Alcohol? Remedies and Prevention

Causes of Stomach Ache After Drinking Alcohol

Drinking too much alcohol can lead to stomach pain, nausea, diarrhea and other gastrointestinal issues the next day. This collection of symptoms is known as a hangover. There are several reasons why alcohol causes stomach aches and other digestive complaints in many people.

Irritation of the Stomach Lining

Alcohol is an irritant to the mucosal lining of the stomach. It can directly inflame the stomach tissue, causing abdominal pain, bloating, nausea and even vomiting. This is why drinking on an empty stomach is more likely to cause stomach aches.

Increased Stomach Acid Production

Alcohol triggers the stomach to produce more gastric acid. Excess acid overwhelms the stomach and gets backed up into the esophagus, causing painful heartburn. The increase in stomach acid also makes you feel nauseated.

Delayed Stomach Emptying

Booze slows down the speed at which food passes from the stomach into the small intestine. When the stomach contents sit there for too long, pressure builds up which creates sensations of bloating, pain and nausea.

Dehydration from Alcohol

Alcohol acts as a diuretic, meaning it makes the body lose extra fluid through frequent urination. This dehydration causes the contents of your digestive system to become dry and thick, resulting in constipation and abdominal discomfort.

Changes to Gut Bacteria

Drinking alcoholic beverages, especially beer and wine, alters the natural balance of bacteria and yeast in the gut microbiome. This can allow certain strains like candida to overgrow, leading to bloating and diarrhea.

Other Causes of Stomach Pain and Diarrhea After Drinking

While alcohol itself commonly causes tummy troubles, there are some other related factors that may be to blame for stomach aches after drinking as well:

Consuming Different Foods

When drinking, people often eat foods they might not normally eat, like greasy bar food. The oil, spices and sugar in these foods bother some people's stomachs and lead to cramping or diarrhea the next day.

Mixing Various Alcohol Types

Drinking wine, beer, cocktails and shots in one night means you are mixing different types of alcohol. This makes it much more likely to experience an upset stomach or worse hangover symptoms.

Drinking on an Empty Stomach

Without food in the stomach, alcohol is rapidly absorbed into the bloodstream and irritates the gastric lining much more aggressively. Always eating a meal before drinking reduces stomach irritation.

Caffeine in Alcoholic Drinks

Many alcoholic beverages like rum, vodka, spirits and coffee liqueurs contain caffeine. Caffeine provides energy but dehydrates the body and aggravates the stomach, especially when combined with alcohol.

Carbonated Alcoholic Drinks

The carbonation in fizzy drinks like beer, wine coolers, and mixed drinks expands in the intestines, causing uncomfortable bloating, gas and belching for sensitive individuals.

artificial Sweeteners

Sugary mixers like soda or artificial sweeteners in diet cocktails can wreak havoc on your gut bacteria balance. This results in stomach cramps, diarrhea and flatulence after drinking.

Impurities in Cheap Booze

Low quality, bottom shelf spirits sometimes contain impurities from the distillation process. These can irritate the digestive tract, causing stomach pain, vomiting or other issues.

Natural Hangover Remedies for Stomach Relief

There are many natural ways to help settle an upset stomach and other digestive issues related to drinking alcohol:

Drink Plenty of Fluids

Staying hydrated helps counteract the dehydrating effects of alcohol. Sip water and electrolyte drinks to reduce stomach irritation, constipation and nausea.

Choose Settling Foods

Bland foods like toast, crackers, rice, applesauce and bananas are easy on the stomach. Avoid greasy or spicy foods which further aggravate GI symptoms.

Take Ginger

Ginger is a time-honored remedy for nausea and vomiting. Take ginger capsules, drink ginger ale or ginger tea, or even munch on real ginger to ease your tummy.

Use Peppermint

Peppermint has antispasmodic effects, relaxing the stomach muscles to relieve cramping and spasms. Sip peppermint tea or take peppermint oil capsules.

Take Vitamin B Complex

Alcohol depletes B vitamins needed for energy and stomach function. Taking a B complex supplement helps restore these nutrients and settle the stomach.

Eat Probiotic Foods

Natural probiotics like yogurt, kefir, kimchi and sauerkraut contain beneficial bacteria for the gut. They help restore balance to your microbiome.

Use Activated Charcoal

Activated charcoal absorbs toxins and gas to reduce bloating. Take charcoal capsules or mix the powder into water.

OTC Medications to Soothe Stomach Pain After Drinking

Several over-the-counter medications may provide relief when dealing with a stomach ache after consuming alcohol:

Antacids

Antacids like Tums, Rolaids, or Alka-Seltzer neutralize excess stomach acid to combat heartburn, acid reflux and general abdominal pain after drinking.

Bismuth Subsalicylate

Pepto-Bismol contains bismuth subsalicylate, which calms inflammation and diarrhea. The pink liquid or chewable tablets help settle many stomach issues.

Loperamide

Anti-diarrheal medications with loperamide like Imodium A-D and Kaopectate stop diarrhea. This allows the stomach and intestines to rest.

Simethicone

Gas relief products like Gas-X contain simethicone to break up bloating and gas bubbles in the gut and stomach.

Probiotics

Over-the-counter probiotic supplements support the growth of healthy bacteria populations in the gut to prevent dysbiosis from alcohol.

When to See a Doctor for Stomach Pain After Drinking

In most cases stomach aches, nausea and diarrhea after drinking resolve on their own in a day or two. But contact your doctor if you experience:

Severe Pain

Stomach pain that is intense, persistent and worsens, especially if accompanied by vomiting, fever or bloody stool, may indicate a serious problem needing medical evaluation.

No Improvement

If hangover stomach symptoms last more than 2 days, fail to improve with home remedies, or continually recur after drinking, a doctor can check for underlying issues.

Dehydration

Intense, prolonged vomiting or diarrhea after drinking can lead to dangerous dehydration. Seek help if you are unable to keep down fluids.

Alcoholism Patterns

Recurring stomach pain after drinking may be a sign of a larger issue like alcohol abuse. Talk to your doctor if alcohol impacts work, relationships or health.

Other Concerning Symptoms

Monitor the stomach as well as other symptoms like chest pain, difficulty breathing, confusion, seizures or passing out. Prompt medical care is needed for these.

How to Prevent Stomach Problems When Drinking

You can take some simple precautions to help minimize stomach irritation, nausea and diarrhea after alcohol consumption:

Pace Your Drinks

Limit your drinks to one per hour and sip slowly. Rapidly drinking too much booze aggravates the stomach more.

Don't Drink on an Empty Stomach

Eat a fiber-rich meal before you begin drinking. Food helps slow absorption of alcohol.

Avoid Mixing Types of Drinks

Stick to one type of alcohol like wine or beer, rather than mixing. Combining increases stomach irritation.

Choose Clean Alcohol Sources

Opt for highly distilled spirits without additives or impurities that can cause stomach issues.

Stay Hydrated

Have a glass of water between each alcoholic beverage. Staying hydrated reduces hangover symptoms.

Take Anti-Inflammatory Supplements

Certain supplements like ginger, turmeric, and omega-3s may help minimize inflammation caused by alcohol.

Rest and Recover

Be sure to allow enough time for your body to fully recover and rehydrate before drinking again.

When to Stop Drinking for Stomach Health

Those who experience stomach pain and other bothersome symptoms after drinking alcohol on multiple occasions should consider reducing alcohol intake or abstaining completely. Some signs it may be time to stop drinking include:

Regular Hangovers

If you suffer frequent and severe hangover symptoms like stomach cramps or vomiting, even after just a few drinks, it may be best to avoid alcohol.

Need to Drink More

Finding that you need to steadily increase the amount of alcohol to get the same effect indicates developing tolerance and addiction.

Interferes with Life

Missing work, neglecting family and relationships, and giving up hobbies or activities you once enjoyed because of drinking are red flags.

Continued Use Despite Problems

Continuing to drink even though you experience stomach issues and other health or social consequences points to alcohol abuse or dependence.

Inability to Quit

Being unable to control how much you drink or being unable to stop despite negative effects indicates alcoholism. Seek help through counseling, therapy and support groups.

The Bottom Line

Drinking too much alcohol can certainly cause stomach ache, nausea, diarrhea and other unpleasant GI symptoms during hangovers. While occasional discomfort after imbibing may not be serious, recurring stomach pain could signal issues with alcohol that require changes to drinking habits or professional treatment.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.