Can Excessive Alcohol Consumption Cause Gastritis?

Posted on Thu, 3 Nov 2016

Question: I wrote previously about dull aches, gnawing, sensitive, acidic stomach, oesophagus and throat. I have a history of acid reflux related issues from aged 15/16. I am now 40. I had a fundoplication and correction of hernia surgical procedure when I was 26 which keep me completely symptom free for 10 years. Since 35 though I have had to start taking PPIs once again. I don't doubt that my lifestyle as well as major life events have played their part. Back to the current complaint, since slowing down to stopping alcohol completely for 2 weeks it definitely improved but this is definitely a more challenging condition to treat with a dependency on alcohol. My question is : if I have oesophageal or stomach damage due to the sheer consistant alcohol use, will it possibly get better or heal or did I damage it too far and could this be the start of something sinister? I obviously have health anxiety issues otherwise I wouldn't be a subscriber to this site, but if you could possibly relax my fears on that count I'd be grateful. My recent bloods (FBE etc) colonoscopy and stools all came back clear however I've not had an endoscope into the top half since December 2014.

Answered by Dr. Dr. Happykumar Kagathara (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
alcohol associated gastritis

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
1) Yes your symptoms are due to alcohol associated gastritis
2) This changes are reversible; Abstinence from alcohol and support of PPI may improve condition
3) But I point out that such heavy quantity of alcohol consumption damage liver and once this starts it will be irreversible. For liver if you have not done USG abdomen then I suggest you to do during next evaluation
4) I also suggest to do USG abdomen to check status of pancreas as heavy alcohol drinking may cause episodic pain in center part of abdomen (multiple times) due to effect of pancreas (chronic pancreatitis)
5) Definitely at this stage you do not require upper GI endoscopy as your symptoms are associated with gastritis and treatment plan would not defer even if you go ahead for upper GI endoscopy. But I suggest you to do non-invasive test for H.Pylori infection in stomach as chances for such infection in person taking alcohol would be high and this infection also aggravates gastritis.

Hope I have answered your question. If you have any further questions I will be happy to help

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Happykumar Kagathara (22 hours later)

Thank you for responding.

In response to your points-
3) I had a liver function evaluation 2 weeks ago and all results normal
4) I did an ultrasound about 6 months ago my liver and pancreas are both enlarged but with no visiable or histological remarks.
I did a blood test for pancreatitis 4 weeks ago and it returned normal
5) I did a HP blood test and stool test at the same time and both returned normal.

Some follow up questions...if I may?

I have a cough some mornings which is a little wheezy on my chest no painful just annoying it usually clears up by noon. Could this be connected to the whole GI issue? We also have experienced damp issues in our house so I'm not sure if this is because of that. But it's pretty chesty in the morning.

I've also had a history of psychosomatic problems relating to an over obsession of symptoms and conditions where I've actually needed high doses of antidepressants for it to stop. Could this be the case here?

Could it be normal for a gastritis sufferer to not have any real benefit from acid reduction medication such as nexium?

Do you believe that 4-6 weeks no alcohol could stop this? Do you think this is my body telling me it can't handle the drink anymore?

Kind regards,

XXXX

Answered by Dr. Dr. Happykumar Kagathara (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Yes, stopping of alcohol improve your symptoms

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
1) Coughing might not be associated with GI issue. Although in severe gastritis or GERD there may be burning type chest pain in mid-part (and this symptom generally appear in morning).
2) I suggest you to provide either generic name of antidepressant drug or class of medication to provide guidance about association between these medications and your symptoms.
3) If you specifically asking for Nexium then its mechanism of action is reduction of acid production which give effect on long term but it can not provide immediate relief from symtoms
4) Of course, stopping alcohol will improve your symptoms. Yes all these organs (stomach, esophagus, pancreas, liver) affect by alcohol and right now only stomach and esophagus are affected which are reversible changes.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Happykumar Kagathara (15 hours later)

Hi,

2- the antidepressant is called fluoxamine maleate 50mg per day in addition to nexium and ezetrol. Do you think I should try a different medication for depression?
Actually these problems have been around for the same period of time as I have been on these drugs (around 6 months).

What do you think?

XXXX

Answered by Dr. Dr. Happykumar Kagathara (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
It might be due to Fluoxamine but you have to assess symptoms duration

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
I apologize for late reply,
1) If you are taking Fluoxamine since long time then it may develop symptoms of side-effects which are very similar to dyspepsia (upper abdominal pain, nausea, indigestion, sometimes chest pain).
2) Although these side-effects are related to gastritis and treatment for gastritis may provide relief in symptoms but you might require to consult your treating doctor to consider dosage modification of Fluoxamine.
3) Also note that this depend on since when you are taking Fluoxamine and from when you have these abdominal symptoms. If symptoms are very before than anti-depressant then they are due to dyspepsia (mainly due to alcohol).

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Nagamani Ng

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Happykumar Kagathara (4 hours later)

Thank you for your answers.

Can you tell me if there is a difference between one antidepressant and another if they are both SSRIs in terms of possible side effects on stomach/gastritis?

Answered by Dr. Dr. Happykumar Kagathara (3 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Sorry but your last query is beyond the concerned knowledg of my speciality

Detailed Answer:
Hello,

I apologize but, I am not the appropriate doctor to provide you guidance beyond concerned speciality.
What I suggested was from my experience that I have seen patients with severe gastritis due to antidepressant medications. But I have no knowledge about specific drug related side-effect for this class of drugs.
I can not prescribe such drugs because of it is concerned to another specialist doctor. (psychiatrist), please try to understand.

Take Care

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Arnab Banerjee