Alcohol and the stomach

Alcohol has a variety of damaging effects on the mucous membrane of the stomach. In morphological examination of biopsies of the gastric mucosa, superficial gastritis is detected in 2/3 of patients with alcoholism in biopsies from the antral region and in 1/2 of patients in biopsies from the body of the stomach. Due to the high frequency of detection of inflammatory changes in the gastric mucosa in patients with alcoholism, alcoholic gastritis has been included as a nosological form in the international classification of diseases by the WHO proposal.
Epidemiological studies have revealed correlations between alcohol abuse and the frequency of peptic ulcers, and have also provided evidence of the negative impact of alcohol on the rate of healing of the ulcer defect, the course and prognosis of the disease. Alcohol slows down the ulcer healing process, promotes relapses, complications, and worsens the long-term prognosis after surgical treatment.

There is a widespread belief that alcohol can cause gastric bleeding, but there are currently no controlled studies proving that patients hospitalized for gastric bleeding are more likely than the general population to abuse alcohol. Meanwhile, the hemostatic system disorders common to alcoholics, combined with frequent erosive and ulcerative lesions of the upper gastrointestinal tract, are certainly a factor contributing to the occurrence of gastric bleeding and aggravating its manifestations.

The Effect of Alcohol on the Stomach

In low concentrations (less than 8%), alcohol stimulates gastric secretion, in concentrations of 20% or more, it inhibits it. Alcohol damages the mucosal barrier in the stomach, promoting the backflow of hydrogen ions into the submucosal layer, resulting in the destruction of blood capillaries and venules.

Alcoholism is characterized by both superficial and atrophic gastritis. The morphological feature of alcoholic gastritis is the accumulation of intermediate-type filaments in the mucous membrane, which leads to dysfunction and regeneration of the gastric mucosa. A decrease in the thickness of the mucous membrane, its swelling, exfoliation of superficial cells, hyperemia and edema of the superficial membrane are also noted. Erosions and hemorrhages of the gastric mucosa are common, especially after an alcoholic excess. The development of gastric ulcers is also common with prolonged alcohol consumption.

Clinical manifestations of alcoholic gastric damage are not very specific. They are mainly represented by a symptom complex of gastric dyspepsia. Drinkers usually have a decreased appetite, especially in the morning, and there is often a feeling of pressure in the epigastric region, which continues until alcohol is consumed. A characteristic symptom is morning vomiting of mucous contents, sometimes with an admixture of blood. Drinkers also complain of nausea, heartburn, belching of air and sour contents, pain in the epigastric region.

Stomach ulcer