Some people often suffer from flatulence after drinking alcohol. This is very annoying and stressful for those affected and often leads to general discomfort. The extent of the flatulence is not necessarily related to how much alcohol has been drunk beforehand.
Every person reacts differently to alcoholic beverages and therefore the amount of alcohol required to develop such symptoms varies from person to person. Still others have no problems with flatulence after drinking alcohol. But why can flatulence occur at all after drinking alcohol?
Cause
Flatulence is a gas that is produced in the intestine by metabolic processes. Depending on the alcoholic beverage, the different components in the body can lead to increased gas formation. Beverages with a high sugar content favour the formation of gas, as the intestinal bacteria prefer to feed on sugar.
Gases are released during metabolism, which then come off in the form of flatulence. The alcohol itself is also converted to sugar in the body. The gas formation can therefore also be due to the alcohol itself.
Finally, flatulence is particularly common after drinking beer. This is because beer contains yeast and barley. These ferment in the digestive tract and can cause considerable gas formation.
Last but not least, alcohol can also have an inhibiting effect on the intestinal motor functions. As a result, the food that is ingested is not transported as quickly and remains in the gastrointestinal tract for longer. As a result, a fermentation process can begin which leads to increased gas production.
However, a general intolerance to the ingredients of certain alcoholic beverages may also be the cause of the symptoms. Allergies or intolerance to food can also manifest themselves as flatulence. Such incompatibilities can also trigger palpitations after alcohol.
Symptoms
If the alcohol, or the other additives in the alcoholic beverage, is metabolized in the body, gases are produced. These lead to flatulence in the affected person. At the same time, a general feeling of discomfort and fullness can occur.
The stomach can be bloated and painful under pressure. The over-inflation of the abdomen can also cause slight nausea. If there is an intolerance, diarrhoea can also occur. Depending on the degree of gas formation in the intestine, intestinal cramps, abdominal pain and a rumbling in the abdomen may occur.
Diagnosis
If a patient with flatulence presents himself to a doctor, the doctor will first ask him a few questions to find out whether the flatulence really only occurs in connection with alcohol consumption. Other possible causes of the flatulence must always be excluded. After a physical examination, the doctor could, for example, perform an ultrasound examination of the abdomen or take a stool sample.
A blood count can also be taken, for example to detect inflammatory processes. Ultimately, the link to alcohol consumption can only be established if the flatulence only ever occurs in such situations and cannot be explained by other causes. If necessary, an allergy test for certain ingredients (e.g. yeast, barley) can be carried out.
