[pngindreamr]

I was diagnosed with IBS last year and I have been managing it pretty well, if I get really anxious that will upset my stomach but otherwise food has been okay. Something different has happened recently though since I have turned 21, I have been enjoying drinks at dinner with friends. I normally do not drink a lot because that usually makes me very sick, and I generally just like to enjoy a drink or two with dinner versus going out partying (which makes me anxious). Although now, even after 2 drinks with dinner and drinking plenty water, I will be violently sick the next day. The number one thing I notice is that I am super congested right when I wake up and then I begin to vomit mucus and water for most of the day until I sleep it off and eat later. I do not know if the sinus congestion and the drinking are just compiling on one another, but this has happened with the mucus the last three times. I also get diarrhea, which makes me believe it could be my IBS.I expected that I had not drank enough water the first two times,but this weekend I drank plenty of water. That is why I am wondering if even just alcohol is affecting me worse now . I do know I am not going to drink again because it was highly unpleasant and debilitating for over 24 hours, but I am just confused on how such little alcohol with water and dinner could make me so sick when it has not before until these last few times.

[Puffyprue]

Is it a same drinks ?, i think the type of drink are matters and what kidn of food that you ate also matters, maybe before you ate food that safe for your tummy hence when you drinks it wont triggers your IBS but if you still concern its much more better to talk to your doctor.
Alcohol its a trigger for IBS so its much more better to stay away from it

I have IBS. IBS is a funny disease because what bothers you one day may not bother you the next. Ingesting foods and/or beverages that can trigger IBS is always a risk, particularly if the foods and beverages are combined.

Another thing with IBS is that you cannot overeat. Overeating is a trigger as is eating or drinking acidic foods / beverages. Alcoholic beverages are acidic and irritate the GI system. Sinus problems are not an issue with IBS and are caused by other factors, e.g., a cold or flu. Colds and flu (as well as IBS) can all cause diarrhea. So, in my informal diagnosis, it sounds like you might have had a combination of things.

It is a good idea to stop drinking alcohol until your GI system settles down. Then, gradually introduce it to you diet to better deduce your tolerance level. Also, be careful not just what you eat but how much. Water does not protect you from IBS symptoms. To my knowledge, it also does not dilute what you ate or drank to minimize the effect problem foods / beverages could have on your GI system. Could you let me know why you believe drinking a lot of water will minimize your IBS issues?

[pngindreamr]

Originally Posted by unhappyguy

I have IBS. IBS is a funny disease because what bothers you one day may not bother you the next. Ingesting foods and/or beverages that can trigger IBS is always a risk, particularly if the foods and beverages are combined.

Another thing with IBS is that you cannot overeat. Overeating is a trigger as is eating or drinking acidic foods / beverages. Alcoholic beverages are acidic and irritate the GI system. Sinus problems are not an issue with IBS and are caused by other factors, e.g., a cold or flu. Colds and flu (as well as IBS) can all cause diarrhea. So, in my informal diagnosis, it sounds like you might have had a combination of things.

It is a good idea to stop drinking alcohol until your GI system settles down. Then, gradually introduce it to you diet to better deduce your tolerance level. Also, be careful not just what you eat but how much. Water does not protect you from IBS symptoms. To my knowledge, it also does not dilute what you ate or drank to minimize the effect problem foods / beverages could have on your GI system. Could you let me know why you believe drinking a lot of water will minimize your IBS issues?

I wasn't saying it would help my IBS, but that it would prevent "hangover" symptoms which is what I attributed the vomiting to be although I do think it is a combination of things because as I said I did not drank much. Thank you for your responses.

[skeksi]

Have you considered alcohol intolerance? Some people do not tolerate alcohol well at all and have allergy-like symptoms, from a flushed face to hives, runny nose, nausea, etc. It might also be a reaction to something in the drinks you are consuming, too (ie, beer--wheat/gluten).

[Amyscience]

Do you typically have sinus problems? Are you on any medications? I have found out that the combination of ongoing sinus problems, GI problems and starting psych meds; I can not even have one drink. I used to enjoy wine occasionally with friends and now if I have a drink or 2, I am up the whole night with sinus congestion so bad I am sick to my stomach. This also included diarrhea. I think sometimes our body chemistry and changes make it to we're we can't drink even a drink anymore.

[Rose76]

Here is something I learned when I started having serious nasal congestion associated with seasonal allergies. Alcohol will absolutely make it worse.

I've never had congestion caused by alcohol, but it definitely made mine much worse. So I don't drink in the Spring, on days when the pollen is high. Alcohol causes the little blood vessels inside of your nose to expand. Basically, that's what nasal congestion is. People tend to think that nasal congestion is due to having a lot of mucus up in there. That's really not true. When you can't breath through your nose, it's because the lining of your nose is swollen due to enlarged tiny blood vessels in that lining of the nose. Alcohol can definitely make that worse.

Usually, though, that effect would be felt soon after drinking, not the next morning.

Also, alcohol is an irritant to the mucous lining of your stomach and gut. That's why heavy drinkers of straight booze often end up with gasto-intestinal bleeding. Even just one night of heavy drinking can certainly cause diarrhea. Most people with any significant experience with alcohol are familiar with the nausea that can go with drinking.

For one or two drinks to cause the trouble you describe is not typical, but I believe it would be possible. Basically, you are the best judge of that. Also, not every one means the same thing by one drink. More than 6 ounces of wine in the glass is more than "one" drink.

As far as hangover symptoms go (which I've experienced plenty of when I was younger): Keeping hydrated will supposedly minimize headaches. It's sure not going to reduce vomiting. Anything you add to the volume of stuff in your stomach will just aggravate vomiting. I notice you said you were vomiting up water.

Certainly, people do vary a lot in their tolerance for alcohol. Some of that is due to genetics. Some of that is due to experience. Flushing in response to modest alcohol intake is generally due to genetics. (It has to do with dilating those little blood vessels in the skin.) Generally, alcohol dilates peripheral blood vessels - like in the nose and in the skin. That's why people feel warmed up when they drink.