The Effect of Alcohol on Gastrointestinal Motility
When it comes to the use of alcohol in patients with Gastroparesis it is generally discouraged since most alcoholic beverages cause delayed stomach emptying; however, recent medical and scientific studies have shed some light on how alcohol can affect the emptying time of the stomach which will be discussed in detail below.
STUDY SUMMARY:
The Gastrointestinal (GI) tract is one of the most affected systems by alcohol consumption. Alcohol can affect the esophagus in several ways: induces mucosal inflammation, increases the risk for Barrett esophagus and esophageal cancer, and also impairs the esophageal motility. Numerous studies have reported an increased prevalence of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) or erosive esophagitis in alcoholics. Some alcoholics exhibit an abnormality of esophageal motility known as a nutcracker esophagus. Alcohols effect on gastric motility depends on the alcohol concentration. In general, beverages with high alcohol concentrations (i.e., above 15 percent) appear to inhibit gastric motility and low alcohol doses (wine and beer) accelerate gastric emptying. Also, acute administration of ethanol inhibits the gastric emptying, while chronic administration of a large dose of alcohol accelerates gastric motility.
The effect of alcohol on small bowel motility differs according to the type of consumption (acute or chronic). Acute administration of alcohol has been found to inhibit small bowel transit and chronic administration of a large dose of alcohol accelerates small bowel transit. To review the entire study in detail you can use the following reference information below:
Comentarios