Nobody plans for a night of fun to end in discomfort, but for many, diarrhea after drinking alcohol can be an unwelcome guest. Whether it's the result of overindulgence or your body’s reaction to certain ingredients, this common issue can leave you feeling drained and uneasy. If you're wondering how to stop diarrhea after drinking alcohol, you’re not alone. In this guide, we’ll explore simple, effective remedies to get your gut back on track, so you can bounce back and feel like yourself again.
How to Stop Diarrhea after Drinking Alcohol?
Following are a few tips to stop diarrhea after drinking alcohol:
1. Stop drinking alcohol immediately
2. Stay hydrated with water and electrolyte solutions
3. Eat bland, easily digestible foods (BRAT diet):
- Bananas
- Rice
- Applesauce
- Toast
4. Take over-the-counter anti-diarrheal medication (like Imodium)
5. Consume probiotics (yogurt, supplements)
6. Drink clear broth
7. Avoid caffeine, dairy, and greasy foods
8. Rest to allow your body to recover
Prevention tips
Consider the following points to help prevent diarrhea after drinking alcohol
- Don't drink on an empty stomach
- Alternate alcoholic drinks with water
- Choose drinks with lower alcohol content
- Eat before and while drinking
- Know your personal alcohol limits
When to seek medical help
Seek immediate medical attention if you experience:
- Severe abdominal pain
- Blood in stool
- High fever
- Symptoms lasting more than 48 hours
- Signs of severe dehydration
For long-term health, consider reducing alcohol consumption if you frequently experience this issue, as it may indicate alcohol sensitivity or underlying digestive problems.
What Causes Diarrhea After Drinking Alcohol?
The metabolism of alcohol in your body depends on the presence of food inside the stomach.
- Alcohol in the stomach slowly gets absorbed in the tissues and moves to the bloodstream. Most of its absorption happens in the stomach.
- If the food is present in the stomach, then the absorption of the alcohol becomes slower. It decreases the rate of digestion of the alcohol and alcohol present in the body for a long time. As alcohol stays in the body for a long time, it leads to dehydration which further becomes a cause of diarrhea.
- The rate of absorption of the alcohol becomes faster when you take it empty stomach. It is why alcohol hits faster in the case of an empty stomach.
- When most of the alcohol is absorbed, the rest is excreted from your body through the stools and urine. Your: muscles move in a coordinated squeeze to push the stool out.
Alcohol retards water absorption and speeds up the squeezing moment of colon muscles, due to which the remaining alcohol gets excreted faster. Alcohol can also cause gastric intestinal distress, which occurs when the acidic content in your stomach increases and leads to acidity problems.
Conclusion
The problem of diarrhea after drinking alcohol is caused by the metabolism process of alcohol inside the body. Knowing how to stop diarrhea after drinking alcohol involves taking preventive measures while consuming it. You should also consult a doctor if this problem lasts two, three, or four days. It would help if you first reminded yourself of hydration when drinking alcohol to replace the water excreted with alcohol. Remember that staying hydrated is the key to avoiding diarrhea while drinking alcohol.
Read also What to eat when you have a Diarrhea?
Frequently Asked Questions
What can help cure hangover-induced diarrhea?
Hangover diarrhea cure - Staying hydrated, consuming bland foods, and over-the-counter anti-diarrheal medications may alleviate hangover-related diarrhea.
Can alcohol consumption cause diarrhea?
Yes, excessive alcohol intake can irritate the stomach and intestines, potentially causing diarrhea.
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