Stomach ulcers caused by alcohol?

Question

Can stomach ulcers be caused by excessive alcohol consumption? By excessive I mean almost daily for at least 20 years...

I'm not asking for myself, My father just called me and said he has them. He has been an alcoholic for god knows how long...What are some of the consequences? What will happen to him?

I should also mention he only has one kidney..he donated his other one about 2 years ago. I don't know if that's relevant

Answer 1

Because alcohol has toxic as well as sedative effects, prolonged periods of excessive drinking can lead to:

Digestive-system disorders such as ulcers, inflammation of the pancreas, gastritis and cirrhosis of the liver
Serious problems from physical and nutritional neglect, such as anemia
Central and peripheral nervous systems damage, including blackouts, hallucinations, tremors, alcohol withdrawal syndrome, delirium tremens and death.
Damage to unborn children (from even moderate drinking), including birth defects, mental retardation, learning problems and fetal alcohol syndrome.
Psychological and interpersonal problems, including impaired thinking and judgment, changes in mood and behavior, marital problems, child abuse, impaired social relationships, scholastic problems, job problems, legal problems, and financial problems


The major health risks of alcoholism include liver disease, heart disease, certain forms of cancer, pancreatitis, and nervous system disorders. These conditions often develop gradually and may become evident only after long-term heavy drinking. The liver is particularly vulnerable to diseases related to heavy drinking, most commonly, alcoholic hepatitis (inflammation) or cirrhosis (scarring of the liver). Women tend to be more sensitive to the effects of alcohol and may develop alcohol-related health problems sooner and after consuming less alcohol than men do. Alcohol use in pregnant women can lead to miscarriages, and to the malformation of organs (such as the brain and heart) in their unborn children. According to the March of Dimes, up to 40,000 babies a year are born with some degree of damage related to alcohol.

Answer 2

Not sure daily intake is necessarily excessive. A glass of wine per day with your evening meal would surely be less harmful than a Saturday/Sunday night alcoholic daze each week!?

To answer your question though - alcohol can add to stomach ulcers, but so can stress, the wrong foods, genetics and a whole bunch of other factors.

Its the usual thing about most things in MODERATION not doing you much harm, I guess.

Answer 3

No but alcohol creates a build up of acid in the stomach, I think an ulcer is caused by a bacteris {helocabacter pylori}

Answer 4

Alcoholic gastritis can certainly be a contributor to serious stomach problms.
Along with use of over-the-counter NSAIDS like Aleve and Advil, it is one of the primary causes of GI Bleeds in our ER here in Oklahoma. Long term use of any kind of gastric irritant will erode the stomach mucosa and cause ulcerations in the end.

Answer 5

Yes...I am only 35 (well, nearly 36) and I believe I have one now. And I have only been drinking daily for about 4 yrs.

See your Dr. and cut down on the alcohol now, before it gets so bad that eating is a miserable experience.

Answer 6

Yes. Definitely.

Answer 7

Most ulcers are caused by an infection. The alcohol may just be aggrevating it.

Answer 8

Well I don't know that it's a cause but I do know that they can aggravate them if you have them. If it gives you a stomach ache drink something easy on your stomach like mike's hard iced tea. It actually settles my stomach I don't know why.

Answer 9

Oh yes ulcers among other things
He has to take medicine for them, or have surgery

Answer 10

It can be. Id go to a gastroologist and get a blood test.