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Effects of Alcohol on Your Digestive System and Bowel Movements: What You Need to Know

Drinking alcohol is not good for your organs and your internal processes. Your digestion and therefore your stool can also suffer from your alcohol consumption. In other words: pooping or urinating does not work well or a little too well. You can read how that works here.

Pooping and peeing. It is very normal and obvious, unless it bothers you in some way. Constipation can be a painful issue and diarrhea is also no problem. What influence does alcohol have on your digestion and therefore on your bowel movements?

Just to the toilet

Before you started this break, you had a drink or two. And maybe you recognize the following: you’ve had your first few drinks and you feel your bladder filling up. Time for a pit stop. Once you’ve been to the toilet, it seems like you have to take every two sips. It works like this: alcoholic drinks inhibit a hormone that prevents urine production. This causes more urine to be produced and you have to go to the toilet often. You lose a lot of moisture and in extreme situations you run the risk of dehydration. This overproduction of urine, resulting in dehydration, increases the risk of constipation (hard stools due to a lack of fluid). And so it is that you can suffer from painful bowel movements due to your alcohol consumption.

Cork in

Perhaps you have experienced just the opposite in your alcohol history. There was no constipation, but excess. It may also be the case that you actually suffered from diarrhea. It works like this: alcohol in large quantities temporarily affects the nervous system. As a result, stimuli in the body are no longer transmitted properly. Among other things, peristalsis (the contraction of the intestinal wall that moves the intestinal contents) in the intestines no longer works properly. And that results in a lot of visits to the toilet.

Bron: www.alcoholinfo.nl

Your bowel movements now that you have stopped

You pause at this moment. Because you think it is good for your body. And perhaps also to break a pattern. What does such a break do to your bowel movements? When you stop drinking (a lot), you may experience withdrawal symptoms. One of those alcohol withdrawal symptoms can be diarrhea or constipation. Stomach pain is also one of the well-known withdrawal symptoms of alcohol. Excessive drinking damages the mucous membrane in your stomach. This leads to heartburn. As a result, you may experience stomach problems if you stop drinking. If you drink, you notice it less because alcohol numbs you. If you suddenly stop drinking alcohol, you may experience abdominal pain.

Bron: www.trubendorffer.nl

What can you do for constipation?

Eating enough fiber

Whole wheat bread, vegetables, fruit, nuts and legumes are good sources of fiber. Fibers act like a sponge in the intestine, allowing them to absorb water. In this way they ensure smooth stools and add volume to the stools. Fibers also ensure that the intestines keep moving. View tips for eating more fiber.

Drink 1.5 to 2 liters per day

Drinking 1.5 to 2 liters every day helps prevent constipation. Water, coffee and tea are a good choice. Because fibers bind moisture, they can only do their job properly if you also drink enough. If you drink too little, this can cause hard and dry stools.

Enough exercise

Exercise also gets the intestines moving. Exercising every day can therefore help to prevent constipation. Brisk walking, cycling, vacuuming, gardening: it all counts.

Don’t hold in poop

If you have to, then you have to. Don’t ignore the urge. Withholding stool contributes to constipation. Take enough time to go to the toilet, for example after breakfast. After a meal the intestines start moving and that is a good time to go to the toilet.

Eating at regular times

Eating regularly stimulates regular movement of the intestines. By eating regularly we mean having breakfast, lunch and dinner every day and not skipping any of these meals. A good breakfast is absolutely important. Preferably have a large, fiber-rich breakfast. This activates the intestines.

Do the complaints remain?

Do you continue to have problems with your stomach or intestines for more than 4 weeks despite following the above advice? Or do you suffer a lot from your complaints? Go to your doctor to find out together what is going on.

Bron: www.voedingscentrum.nl

What can you do with diarrhea?

Eat as healthy as possible

Just eat what you like. Try to continue to eat as healthy as possible, possibly in smaller portions. Special foods are not necessary. White bread or rusk does not stop working.

Drink regularly and in small amounts

Drink plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration. Always drink small amounts, 2 to 3 liters per day. Drinking is extra important if you also vomit. Water, tea, broth or diluted fruit juice are suitable. Clear juices, such as apple juice, pear juice and grape juice, are less suitable because these drinks actually have a laxative effect on some people.

Eating enough fiber

Eat lots of fiber. Fibers in the intestines keep the stool soft and provide volume and firmness. Good sources of fiber for diarrhea are vegetables and whole grain products, such as whole wheat bread, oatmeal, whole wheat pasta, brown rice and whole wheat couscous.

No anti-diarrheals

Do not use antidiarrheals in case of sudden diarrhea. This way, the possible causative agent, such as a bacteria or parasite, cannot leave the body through the feces.

ORS is allowed

A special solution (ORS) is available at the pharmacy to replenish minerals in addition to fluid.

Wash your hands

Always wash your hands thoroughly after going to the toilet to avoid infecting others.

Bron: www.voedingscentrum.nl

2023-11-13 07:27:42
#breaks #bowel #movements #IkPas

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