Alcohol Bloating

What Is Alcohol Bloating Or Beer Belly?

Beer belly is not an accurate term, as it implies alcohol is the reason someone has a larger belly. Alcohol alone does not necessarily cause people to gain weight in their abdominal region. Some people who consume large amounts of alcohol for years do not have beer bellies, while others who drink alcohol regularly are obese.

Alcohol bloating, on the other hand, is a problem due specifically to consuming alcohol because it increases stomach acids. People who drink alcohol on a regular or excessive basis may experience the effects of chronic alcohol bloating, such as chronic gastritis and ulcers.

Why Does Alcohol Cause Bloating?

Alcohol bloating leads to mild to moderate discomfort, and many factors aid in its buildup.

Gastritis

Alcohol causes inflammation in the digestive system, particularly in the stomach lining, known as gastritis.

The gastrointestinal system is the first system to encounter the alcohol you consume. When someone drinks alcohol over long periods and in large amounts, inflammation increases and spreads throughout the body. Inflammation damages organs and causes multiple health conditions.

Alcohol creates the following problems that support bloating:

• Overgrowth of bacteria
• Release of endotoxins
• Inhibits metabolism of bile acid
• Weakened intestinal barriers

Any of these factors disrupt the normal processes of the digestive tract, allowing toxins to enter the system. When the immune system suspects a toxin, it triggers inflammation to flush it out. Chronic use of alcohol means your system is in a state of constant inflammation.

Dehydration

Alcohol causes dehydration because it is a diuretic, and when drinking, your body eliminates excess fluids, including electrolytes. Alcohol suppresses an essential hormone, vasopressin, that tells the kidneys to retain the right amount of fluids to keep you from becoming dehydrated.

Dehydration can lead to several issues that cause bloating, including:

• Constipation
• Slowed digestion
• Weight gain
• Lack of digestive acids
• Nausea and vomiting
• Acid reflux

Hydration is required to lubricate the digestive tract, absorb nutrients, and produce saliva and gastric juices. Drinking too much alcohol forces the body to get rid of fluids your body needs to function correctly.

Carbonation And Mixers

Carbonated alcohol drinks and non-alcoholic mixers produce gas in the stomach. Sodas with carbonation contain carbon dioxide dissolved in the drink. When you consume it, the gas transfers to your stomach. Once in your stomach, it builds up, causing bloating. Eventually, it triggers your body to get rid of the gas through belches or other means.

Carbonated drinks cause an increase in stomach acids that lead to acid reflux because they add air into your intestines. In addition, some alcoholic beverages and mixers are high in calories and contribute to weight gain, which also makes you feel bloat and discomfort in your stomach.

Does Beer Make You Bloated?

Yes, beer can make you bloated. Like sodas, beer releases carbon dioxide into the digestive tract, forming gas. Beer-making processes include fermentation involving yeast, which may continue to process in the stomach. The beer-making process also involves grains. Many people have gluten sensitivities and may experience excess gas, bloating, and pain.

How Long Does Alcohol Bloating Last?

How long alcohol bloating lasts depends on several factors, including the type, how long, and how much alcohol you consume. Other factors include:

• Food consumption
• Gender
• Weight
• Medications

Considering these, alcohol bloating can last from a day or two to several weeks. For chronic drinkers, alcohol bloating may be a continuing source of discomfort.

How To Get Rid Of Alcohol Bloating

Chronic alcohol bloating can lead to much more severe conditions, like irritable bowel syndrome, ulcers, bowel blockages, and delayed stomach emptying. You can take steps to get rid of alcohol bloating to help you avoid worsening symptoms, including:

• Reduce or eliminate your intake of alcohol
• Stay hydrated by drinking extra fluids, especially when you are drinking alcohol
• Avoid gas-producing foods, such as highly processed, fried foods
• Consume fruits, vegetables, and healthy drinks that replenish electrolytes and nutrients
• Take over-the-counter medicines that reduce gas and bloating
• Drink herbal teas that calm the digestive system, like ginger or chamomile
• Engage in physical activity so the gastrointestinal tract, a muscle, continues working

You can discover numerous tips to get rid of alcohol bloating by engaging in online or in-person alcohol-related support groups, working with your doctor, and creating a diet plan with a nutritionist.

How Is Alcohol Bloating Treated?

Working with your doctor, nutritionist, or counselor, you can develop a list of actions to help you feel better. A treatment plan for alcohol bloating may include the following.

Hydration

Get enough fluids to replenish your body with the electrolytes and nutrients it needs to function. Water is the first choice since two-thirds of your body is water. Other fluids to drink include products containing electrolytes or supplements you can add to your water. Fruits and vegetables high in water content, such as cucumbers or melons, also improve hydration.

Nutrients

Your body needs a recommended daily dose of vitamins and minerals to support blood flow, digestion, and organ functioning. Alcohol consumption prevents nutrient absorption, including the following vitamins:

• Vitamin B
• Vitamin C
• Vitamin K
• Leucine
• Glycine
• Calcium
• Magnesium

If you are not getting the nutrients you need, your body is more susceptible to diseases. Your immune system is weaker and cannot fight against viruses, parasites, and other pathogens.

Medications

If you have tried to quit drinking alcohol but haven’t had success, you may benefit from medication assistance treatment (MAT). Many people find themselves continuing to drink alcohol when they experience painful symptoms when they try to quit drinking. MAT helps them avoid withdrawal symptoms so they can focus on making other necessary physical and mental health changes. Medications that aid people in quitting drinking alcohol include the following:

• Acamprosate: Acamprosate works on the neurotransmitter system in the brain to ease withdrawal symptoms of anxiety, dysphoria, and sleep disturbances. It works best if you begin treatment after becoming abstinent from alcohol.
• Naltrexone: Naltrexone blocks the opioid receptors in the brain that give someone feelings of pleasure and reward when they drink alcohol. It comes in a pill and injectable dose, and you can begin taking it while still drinking alcohol.
• Disulfiram: Disulfiram interferes with how alcohol is metabolized in your body. You must be free of alcohol for at least twelve hours before you can begin taking it. Once on the medication, if you consume alcohol, you can experience nausea, vomiting, and other adverse symptoms.

Lifestyle Changes

Lifestyle changes don’t have to be harsh, and they don’t have to occur all at once. You can start by making small changes that reduce bloating, including:

• Eat healthier foods
• Drink fewer carbonated beverages
• Spend 30 minutes a day exercising
• Cook rather than eat out
• Take probiotics
• Quit smoking
• Manage stress

If the pain of alcohol bloating is interfering with how you function at work, home, school, or socially, it is time to make getting help a priority.

Is Alcohol Bloating Preventable?

Alcohol irritates the gastrointestinal tract. Therefore, a sure way to prevent alcohol bloating is to stop drinking alcohol altogether.

Reducing the amount of alcohol you consume will likely reduce gas and bloating as long as you also improve your diet and increase physical activity. Because your body’s needs are so different than others, work with a doctor to develop a prevention plan specific to your lifestyle.

What If I Can’t Stop Drinking Alcohol?

If you feel you cannot stop drinking alcohol, it is crucial to assess your current drinking habits and seek treatment if you suspect you have an alcohol use disorder (AUD).

You may find that rather than having an AUD, you can benefit from cutting back on the amount of alcohol or how often you consume it. For example, you may only drink alcohol when out with friends, but when you do, you binge drink. Binge drinking will lead to alcohol bloating. Even if you drink in moderation, depending on your physical health, foods, and other beverages you consume, you may experience alcohol bloating.

However, if you suffer from alcohol bloating every time you drink or are unable to cut back even though you try to, it may be time to consider treatment for AUD. To get started, take our free alcohol assessment to evaluate your current drinking patterns or contact a treatment provider today to explore your rehab options.