Can Alcohol Cause Ulcerative Colitis (UC)?

What is Ulcerative Colitis?

Ulcerative Colitis is a chronic inflammatory disease that impacts the colon. Ulcers develop, forming pus, creating pain in the abdomen and the need to empty your colon. It is not well understood what causes Ulcerative Colitis, but several factors have been identified. It is believed that UC is developed initially from a bacterial or viral infection in the colon, triggering an immune response. It is usual for most people to experience some inflammation after an illness has occurred. However, in patients with UC, the inflammation stays well after the immune response has been triggered. 

Ulcerative Colitis can occur at any age, but most people are diagnosed in their 30s. People may confuse UC and Crohn’s Disease because they impact the gastrointestinal tract. However, the difference is that UC only targets the large intestine of the colon and rectum, whereas Crohn’s can target any portion of the GI tract.  

Common Symptoms of Ulcerative Colitis:

• Loose and urgent bowel movements.
• Blood in stool.
• Abdominal pain or cramping.
• Persistent diarrhea.
• Loss of appetite.
• Weight loss.
• Nausea.
• Fever.
• Fatigue.
• Anemia.
• Delayed growth in children. 

The main goal in treating UC is managing one’s immune system. Although there is no cure for UC, people can live a rewarding life by recognizing triggers for flare-ups, maintaining medication, and watching diet and nutrition. 

Doctors can prescribe medications to help reduce inflammation, diarrhea, and abdominal pain. In addition to medication, diet and nutrition are essential in limiting flare-ups from occurring. Typically a bland diet and avoiding items such as spicy foods or alcohol can help to reduce inflammation from occurring. Although diet and alcohol do not cause UC, they can aggravate symptoms or flare-ups. 

For more severe cases, people may require surgery to remove the colon. Depending on age, overall health, and disease severity, doctors can determine the level of care needed to help treat the condition.

Alcohol Use and Colitis

Although research indicated that alcohol use could not cause UC, it has been determined that alcohol can be a potential trigger for an ulcerative colitis flare-up. This research article looked at UC in mice and gave them alcohol to see the effects alcohol had on the body with the disease. It was found that alcohol consumption correlated with weight loss and colon shorting, both well-known for UC flare-ups. 

It is also well-known how alcohol negatively impairs the immune system. Alcohol is known to lower immunity by increasing inflammation, destroying good bacteria in the intestines, and allowing cytokines to increase. This disruption to the immune system will create an Ulcerative Colitis flare-up. 

Additionally, we have also seen how alcohol damages the liver. As each person responds to alcohol differently, drinking alcohol with a chronic autoimmune disease has a higher risk of experiencing liver damage or even liver failure. 

As with other complications alcohol has been known to have, it once again makes the symptoms worse. People with UC and alcohol may experience the subsequent worsening of symptoms. 

Alcohol Use and Ulcerative Colitis Worsening Symptoms:

• Nausea.
• Vomiting.
• Upper gastrointestinal bleeding.
• Diarrhea. 

Finally, we have seen that alcohol can have adverse outcomes when combined with various medications. What has been identified in previous articles is alcohol can cause problems when taking medication. Alcohol can worsen side effects, impair the immune system, increase the time to heal from an infection, and put more strain on the liver. For these reasons, you should always consult your doctor about using alcohol with any medication you take.