Consuming alcohol on a regular basis can have harmful affects to your body. Though various areas of the body can be destroyed, drinking beer and liquor can take a terrible toll on the stomach. Those who drink copious amounts of alcohol are at risk for damaging their stomachs. Below you will read about the specific consequences of heavy drinking, as well as ways to protect your stomach.
The Damages and Consequences
Alcohol is known to upset your digestive system. Whether you consume a little or a lot, beer, wine and liquor causes your stomach to produce more acid than usual. Inflammation of the stomach lining can cause the following symptoms:
- Stomach Pain
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Bleeding
Therefore, acid reflux is common since stomach acid can burn the throat. In more severe forms of alcohol abuse, a peptic ulcer can result. This is an open and painful sore in the stomach lining.
If you rarely drink or consume small amounts of alcohol, then the chance of these problems occurring is low. However, if you drink large amounts of alcohol on a regular basis you could be at risk for certain cancers including:
- Cancer of the Mouth
- Cancer of the Tongue
- Cancer of the Lip
- Cancer of the Throat
- Cancer of the Stomach
- Cancer of the Pancreas
- Cancer of the Colon
Protecting the Stomach
If you consume alcohol, there are various ways to protect your stomach. The best way is to consume only small amounts of alcohol such as a glass a day, but here are other tips you can try:
- Avoid Mixing Drinks
- Drink Plenty of Water
- Avoid Taking Pain Medication with Alcohol
- Eat Carbohydrates before Drinking
Responsible Drinking Only
If you're the appropriate age and plan on consuming alcohol, then it's important to drink with your brain — so you can be smart and make good decisions. Don't overindulge and most importantly DO NOT drink and drive. After all, you don’t want to make a drunken decision that will impact the rest of your life.
