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A night of drinking doesn’t just come with headaches or dry mouth.
It can also mean urgent trips to the bathroom.
The phenomenon – nicknamed “booze butt” by Men’s health – is real. Alcohol can irritate the digestive tract, alter gut bacteria and interfere with how the intestines absorb water, doctors say.
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“Alcohol itself can cause loose stools due to several mechanisms,” Dr. Leybelis Padilla, a San Diego-based gastroenterologist and lifestyle medicine physician, told Fox News Digital.
It can also inhibit the absorption of fluids in the intestines and speed up digestion, she said.
A night of drinking doesn’t just come with headaches or dry mouth. It can also mean urgent trips to the bathroom – why doctor turnover. (iStock)
“When the intestines move too quickly, water has less time to be absorbed,” Padilla said. “This can lead to loose or watery stools.”
Alcohol reaches each “layer” of the intestine as it moves through the digestive tract, according to Dr. Jason Korenblit, a Florida-based gastroenterologist.
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This can make heartburn worse, increase stomach acid and weaken the intestinal barrier, Korenblit told Fox News Digital.
“Alcohol can also make the gut more permeable,” he added. “Alcohol and its byproducts can weaken the tight ‘seals’ between intestinal cells, allowing bacterial toxins to cross the intestinal barrier and promote inflammation.”
According to experts, several factors determine who is most susceptible to digestive problems after drinking. (iStock)
But not everyone experiences digestive problems after drinking, and doctors say several factors determine who is most vulnerable.
Dose and speed matter, Korenblit said. “More drinks in less time equals more irritation and more leaky gut or irritable bowel effects,” he said.
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Underlying digestive disorders such as acid reflux, irritable bowel syndrome, inflammatory bowel disease, celiac disease or chronic gastritis may increase sensitivity.
No alcoholic beverage is completely “safe” for the intestine.
Genetics can play a role a role as well, Padilla noted.
“Certain genetic variants can make a person more sensitive to the effects of alcohol,” she said.
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Although no alcoholic beverage is completely “gut-safe,” doctors say some drinks are more likely to trigger symptoms than others.
Common offenders include mixed drinkswine and beer because they often contain sugars or sugar alcohols that can make diarrhea worse, Padilla said.
Mixed drinks, beer and wine are common triggers for alcohol-related digestive problems, experts warn. (iStock)
“Some of these sugars include fructose, lactose, mannitol, xylitol and erythritol,” she said.
Beer and Carbonated drinks can worsen bloating and heartburn due to carbonation, while high-alcohol drinks can cause irritation, Korenblit said.
Creamy drinks can be problematic for people sensitive to lactose. “Sugar also facilitates overconsumption of beverages, which increases the total alcohol dose,” he noted.
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Beverages low in alcohol and sugar consumed slowly are generally easier to digest, both doctors agreed.
To reduce the risk of digestive problems related to alcohol consumption, doctors also recommend eat before drinking, limit your intake to two drinks per day, stay hydrated, and don’t mix alcohol with caffeine, which can further stimulate the gut. (Many doctors note that it’s best to abstain from alcohol altogether.)
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They also recommend caution if you are taking other medications.
Eating before drinking, staying hydrated, and limiting alcohol can help reduce digestive issues. (iStock)
“Mixing alcohol with NSAIDs — ibuprofen, naproxen, aspirin — increases the risk of gastrointestinal bleeding and can make irritation worse,” Korenblit said.
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Health officials note that other commonly used medications, including some antidepressants such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), may also worsen diarrhea or increase gastrointestinal irritation when combined with alcohol.
While these tips may ease symptoms, there is no surefire way to completely prevent them. “Hydration helps, but mostly by preventing dehydration, not by magically stopping diarrhea,” Korenblit said.
Overeating, drinking sugary cocktails, and drinking alcohol late at night can aggravate digestive issues during the holiday season. (iStock)
If symptoms persist, he recommends sticking to easily digestible foods like oatmeal and bananas.
Soluble fiber, broths and soups can help firm stools and replace lost fluids. Fermented foods like yogurt or kefir can also help those who tolerate dairy products.
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Fatty foods, spicy meals and more alcohol – including “hair of the dog” – are likely to make diarrhea worse, doctors agree.
However, for most people, the gut microbiome is resilient, Korenblit added.
Greasy foods, spicy meals, and excessive alcohol consumption can make alcohol-related diarrhea and other hangover symptoms worse. (iStock)
“In studies of binge drinking, microbiome diversity and associated changes improved with abstinence and increased a healthier diet, which suggests that recovery is possible,” he said.
“Stopping or reducing spending is one of the best ways to allow the system to bounce back.”
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If diarrhea after drinking lasts more than 48 to 72 hours or is accompanied by blood, black or tarry stools, severe or worsening pain, fever, vomiting, dizziness or signs of dehydration, people should see a doctor, according to the American College of Gastroenterology.
