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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Does Drinking Alcohol Cause Constipation?

Could alcohol be a factor in constipation? My husband, who s nearly 55, has been extremely ill with a rare form of pneumonia (I believe the pulmonary specialist referred to it as pneumonsis ) and has been on home health care for the last month. His treatments stopped last Monday. Our medical bills have piled up, and he is fairly depressed right now. He has always been a beer drinker, so I was surprised when he started drinking vodka. And while that concerns me greatly, his biggest problem for the last 3-4 days has been constipation. I think the vodka has something to do with it; he says I m looking for reasons for him to stop drinking it. But isn t alcohol drying?
posted on Thu, 8 Oct 2015
Twitter Thu, 24 Dec 2015 Answered on
Twitter Thu, 24 Dec 2015 Last reviewed on
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General & Family Physician,  's  Response
Hi,
Welcome to HCM.

Thank you for posting your question.

I really doubt that alcohol drinking may cause constipation.Or one theory could be lack of enough water inside intestinal lumen because of diuresis caused by itself may lead to relative constipation.

If your husband has taken alcohol in the form of beer or vodka, then he will need to replace your beer with plain water as a lack of water may be contributing to your constipation.

Beyond this your constipation will be much relieved with improved diet. Increase your intake of roughage like high fiber, potato skins, porridge, fruit and vegetables.

Continue his treatment for pneumonia at pulmonologist.

I hope, you found this useful and I wish you good health.

Regards.
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Does Drinking Alcohol Cause Constipation?

Hi, Welcome to HCM. Thank you for posting your question. I really doubt that alcohol drinking may cause constipation.Or one theory could be lack of enough water inside intestinal lumen because of diuresis caused by itself may lead to relative constipation. If your husband has taken alcohol in the form of beer or vodka, then he will need to replace your beer with plain water as a lack of water may be contributing to your constipation. Beyond this your constipation will be much relieved with improved diet. Increase your intake of roughage like high fiber, potato skins, porridge, fruit and vegetables. Continue his treatment for pneumonia at pulmonologist. I hope, you found this useful and I wish you good health. Regards.