Why Do You Have Lower Abdominal Pain When You Drink Alcohol?

Are you in your early 20s and just want to have some fun, or maybe in your 30s and just done slaving the day away? Maybe you’re in your glorious 40s and paving your way or in your golden age 50s on top of the world right now. You could even be in your fantastic 60s, smiling and enjoying all you’ve worked hard for. No matter what your age is, you can bet that you have felt it at some point, that blunt pain down in your lower abdomen. You might think it was just indigestion, but maybe it could be something else. 

Conditions Related to Lower Abdominal Pain

No matter what age you are, there is always a chance that you develop pain in your lower abdomen at any stage of your life, and it is mostly attributed to conditions concerning your intestines. It could be any of the following medical conditions. 

Diarrhea

There are two kinds of diarrhea; one is sudden diarrhea, or the kind that happens as a reaction to certain stimulants that have caused it, like food poisoning, sensitivity to a different water source, especially when traveling, and the occasional stomach flu.

The second kind of diarrhea is the chronic kind which is more severe and often lasts longer than regular diarrheas and may even cause dehydration. Chronic diarrhea can be caused by food intolerances or “ known and unknown, Celiac Disease, and IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome) as a side effect of some medications. 

Gas

Gas is often put alongside belching and bloating. Belching or more accurately described as the passing of gas either through the mouth or belching or flatus or through the anus. Typically belching or flatus is not something to be so concerned about as it is caused by swallowing excess amounts of air by talking, laughing, or anything that you do that lets air into the mouth.

But if the belching or flatus is accompanied by the distention of the stomach, it can be a bit uncomfortable and may even start to interfere with daily activities. This kind of belching must be considered as it can be a sign of bacterial infection in the stomach lining causing the painful belching or it could also be a sign of GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease) which are both serious cases.

Indigestion

Too much of something is bad. Getting greedy for food is bad because this leads to indigestion. When a person pigs out on meal time and does so in such a hurried fashion, it often results in sudden pain in the abdomen while the food is being digested. Indigestion or also known as Dyspepsia, is accompanied by gas and some acidity that can be relieved by taking an antacid. 

Constipation 

This last condition does not need a grand introduction as it probably is the most common of all these medical conditions. At least 4 out of 10 people might experience constipation once a week, especially if they don’t have a good and well-balanced diet. Normal constipation goes away when one eats lots of fruits, vegetables and drinks lots of water. Some medications and herbs have laxatives in them to help ease things through. 

Drinking Alcohol and Lower Abdominal Pain

In consideration of all the mentioned possible causes and conditions of lower abdominal pain, gastritis has the highest probability of all. 

There were studies made that show a correlation between drinking alcohol and the increase of stomach acid that then causes hyperacidity or acid reflux. The frequent increase in stomach acid affects the stomach lining, making it inflamed. The inflammation or gastritis, in turn, causes the sensation of discomfort or pain.

Here are some of the symptoms of gastritis, belching with the feeling of fullness, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, upset stomach or pain in between your lower ribs, and bleeding that can present itself in the vomit or feces. Some cases of gastritis can be mild and go away with home remedies and antacids in a short amount of time, but some cases are far more severe or acute.

Most severe or acute cases are often coupled with a bacterial infection apart from the other stimulants, which is why proper care and help are already recommended when the pain is too much to bear and has happened for a prolonged period. 

If you know that you have problems like hyperacidity and still want to drink alcohol, you might want to slow things down. Acid reflux is a nasty business to be in. 

What to Do When You Are in Pain?

If you are in pain right now after drinking alcohol, here are some helpful tips you can do.

1. Assess the level of pain you are in and if you can tolerate it or not. 
2. Look for the precise area of the stomach where the pain seems to originate.
3. If your pain level is at levels 6-10, call 911 immediately. 
4. If it’s not too painful, try drinking water or antacids. But never try to self-medicate.
5. You can try to put a hot compress in the area. 
6. If you’re outside take yourself to the nearest hospital. 

Taking Care of Your Gut

If you want to be able to drink until you are in your senior years, it may be best to consider taking good care of your gut while you’re still young. It could be as easy as ABC. 

• A- Always eat a balanced diet with an emphasis on fruits, vegetables, lean meats, and whole enchiladas. 
• B- Better a handful of exercise than no exercise at all. 
• C- Chew everything you eat well and thoroughly.
• D- Don’t drink alcohol on an empty stomach. Eat light meals before you take a shot. 
• E- Eat smaller but more frequent portions; it will keep your stomach from getting too overwhelmed.
• F- Find the right kind of alcohol for you and your stomach. 

People don’t generally pay attention to their gut or stomach health. It seems like when people eat, it is just to satisfy a biological need, a craving, and more, but they don’t seem too concerned with the effects of what they take in. Time and time again, studies have shown that too much of one thing is bad hence too much alcohol is bad, as seen by the bad effects it has not only in the stomach but also its negative effects on a person’s life. So before you chug down that beer, think first of what it might do to your health. 

Mark Simons

I am a passionate beer connoisseur with a deep appreciation for the art and science of brewing. With years of experience tasting and evaluating various beers, I love to share my opinions and insights with others and I am always eager to engage in lively discussions about my favorite beverage.