What should I do if I experience stomach bleeding from drinking alcohol?

Sep 11, 2025 Source: Cainiu Health

Dr. Huang Yuhong

Introduction

In general, gastrointestinal bleeding caused by alcohol consumption may result from direct damage to the gastric mucosa by alcohol, mucosal tears due to severe vomiting after drinking, acute erosive gastritis, active gastric ulcers, rupture of esophageal or gastric varices, and other related causes. It is recommended to seek timely medical attention, identify the underlying cause, and then improve the condition through general treatment, medication, or surgical intervention under a doctor's guidance.

Generally, gastrointestinal bleeding caused by alcohol consumption may result from direct damage to the gastric mucosa by alcohol, mucosal tears from severe vomiting after drinking, acute erosive gastritis, active gastric ulcers, or rupture of esophageal and gastric varices. It is recommended to seek timely medical attention to determine the exact cause, and then improve the condition through general treatment, medication, or surgical intervention under a doctor's guidance. A detailed analysis is as follows:

1. Direct damage to gastric mucosa by alcohol: Alcohol can destroy the protective barrier of the gastric mucosa, causing mucosal congestion, edema, or even oozing, often presenting as minor bleeding. Immediately stop alcohol consumption and choose warm liquid foods such as rice soup or lotus root starch. Avoid excessively hot or hard foods to reduce irritation to the gastric mucosa.

2. Severe vomiting after alcohol consumption: The sudden increase in intra-gastric pressure during vomiting may tear the mucosa at the junction of the stomach and esophagus, causing bleeding, often accompanied by blood streaks in the vomitus. Stop the vomiting reflex, avoid further irritation to the stomach, and take metoclopramide tablets as prescribed by a doctor to relieve nausea. Additionally, drink small amounts of warm water frequently to replenish fluids and prevent dehydration.

3. Acute erosive gastritis: Excessive alcohol consumption can cause acute mucosal erosion and bleeding, possibly accompanied by mild upper abdominal pain. Patients should follow medical advice to use medications such as omeprazole enteric-coated capsules, hydrotalcite chewable tablets, and rebamipide tablets to suppress gastric acid secretion, protect the gastric mucosa, and promote healing of the eroded areas.

4. Active gastric ulcer: Individuals with pre-existing gastric ulcers may experience deepening of the ulcer site due to alcohol irritation, damaging blood vessels and causing bleeding, which may be accompanied by black stools. Patients should use medications such as rabeprazole sodium enteric-coated tablets, potassium bismuth citrate capsules, and amoxicillin capsules as directed by a physician to control inflammation and repair ulcers.

5. Rupture of esophageal and gastric varices: Patients with cirrhosis may develop dilated esophageal and gastric varices due to portal hypertension. Alcohol irritation can easily lead to vessel rupture, resulting in massive hematemesis. Immediate medical attention is required, and endoscopic variceal ligation may be necessary to stop the bleeding by ligating the varicose veins.

In daily life, complete abstinence from alcohol is necessary, avoiding drinking on an empty stomach or consuming excessive amounts of alcohol. Maintain regular eating habits, consume more easily digestible foods, avoid overeating, and protect the stomach through healthy lifestyle practices to reduce the risk of recurrent bleeding.

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What is the best way to treat gastrointestinal bleeding?

Under normal circumstances, gastric bleeding may be caused by factors such as alcohol consumption irritating the gastric mucosa, taking medications that damage the gastric mucosa, acute erosive gastritis, gastric ulcers, or rupture of esophageal and gastric varices. It is recommended to seek timely medical attention, identify the underlying cause, and then improve the condition through general treatment and medication under a doctor's guidance. In daily life, alcohol consumption should be avoided, medications that damage the gastric mucosa should be used cautiously, and a regular diet should be maintained.

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Why is there no symptom of gastrointestinal bleeding?

In general, cases of gastric bleeding without symptoms may be caused by minimal blood loss that does not produce discomfort, slow bleeding allowing the body to gradually adapt, chronic non-atrophic gastritis, early-stage gastric ulcer, or compensated cirrhosis. It is recommended to seek timely medical attention, identify the underlying cause, and receive appropriate treatment under a doctor's guidance. In daily life, maintain a bland and easily digestible diet, and consume more foods such as porridge and soft noodles.

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What is gastric bleeding?

Under normal circumstances, gastric bleeding, medically known as upper gastrointestinal bleeding, is one of the common emergencies in gastroenterology. It refers to bleeding occurring from the esophagus to the duodenum. In daily life, one should maintain regular eating habits, avoid overeating, reduce consumption of spicy or excessively hot foods, and avoid excessive alcohol consumption and the misuse of medications that can damage the gastric mucosa. Symptoms such as hematemesis (vomiting blood) and melena (black stool) may occur.

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What Are the Three Types of Food Most Feared for Gastric Bleeding?

Generally speaking, there is no specific claim regarding "the three types of food most feared in gastrointestinal bleeding." Patients with gastrointestinal bleeding should avoid spicy and stimulating foods, hard or coarse foods, excessively hot foods, greasy and hard-to-digest foods, as well as alcoholic beverages. These types of food may worsen gastric mucosal damage, exacerbate bleeding, or impair recovery. During the recovery phase of gastrointestinal bleeding, the diet should primarily consist of cool, soft, and easily digestible foods.