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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 3 of 3. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by theobacchus on September 12, 2009, at 20:26:25
Ive tried searching the internet through the routine google search and have yet to find a specific answer to my question. What reactions take place that cause alcohol to erode the stomach walls? The PH level of pure ethanol is very close to that of water, the only things that change that are the additives to the ethanol. Wine, beer, vodka, all have obvious additives. But as far as acidity is concerned i can find as much if not more in regular grape juice or soda. Now the fact still remains that alcohol damages the stomach lining but i was hoping someone might know more specifically how that happens. Thanks.
Posted by Gabriel on September 18, 2009, at 14:05:33
In reply to alcohol's effects on stomach lining, posted by theobacchus on September 12, 2009, at 20:26:25
excessive and prolonged use of Alcohol will Damages the lining of your stomach which can lead to serious ulcers and cancers of the stomach not to mention when your stomach is out of order you get bad breath.
Posted by 10derHeart on September 28, 2009, at 21:45:13
In reply to alcohol's effects on stomach lining, posted by theobacchus on September 12, 2009, at 20:26:25
Does this help?
http://www.oregoncounseling.org/ArticlesPapers/Documents/ETOHBIOFx.htm
It may not, you may well already be aware of most of this.
It's long, but really well-written. Check out the GI Tract part and The Initial Impact of alcohol, specifically, to see how it messes with your stomach and the valve leading to the small intestine.
I have some modest medical knowledge myself, due to life experiences, as well as study and training for career change, and it seems the bottom line is...
...because alcohol triggers production of way too much gastric acid (why? I'm unclear...stomach sees it as food maybe? and is ready to digest food, yet alcohol mixes with H2O and slips into the bloodstream directly...?) it raises its own PH...or is it lowers? I forget how the scale goes. I think its lower for more acidic, and a good stomach stays around PH of 2. Anyway, always bad as it can "overcome" the natural protection of its own mucus lining, then irritation, inflammation and possible ulcers begin... Not to mention if it sits in there longer than "normal" when the valve spasms don't allow exit, over and over (see article).... Not hard to imagine problems, too, if alcohol is introduced daily, and more and more excess gastric acid bathes the stomach lining, especially were it to be already "damaged"...
That's what I get out of it, anyway, FWIW. I could be way off...
Good luck, take care. - 10der
This is the end of the thread.
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