Why do you get indigestion if drink too much alcohol?

There are several ways that drinking too much alcohol can lead to indigestion (also called dyspepsia):

1. Alcohol irritates the stomach lining: Alcohol can cause inflammation and irritation of the stomach lining, leading to symptoms such as heartburn, abdominal pain, and nausea.

2. Alcohol increases stomach acid production: Alcohol stimulates the stomach to produce more acid, which can worsen symptoms of indigestion and heartburn.

3. Alcohol delays stomach emptying: Alcohol can slow down the rate at which food empties from the stomach, leading to a feeling of fullness and bloating.

4. Alcohol damages the muscular valve at the top of your stomach (sphincter): This muscle normally keeps the food and acids in your stomach. When alcohol relaxes this muscle, the stomach contents can move up into your oesophagus, causing heartburn.

5. Alcohol decreases the production of prostaglandins: Prostaglandins are substances that protect the lining of your stomach. Alcohol inhibits their production, making it more likely that you’ll get problems like ulcers.

In addition, alcohol can interact with certain medications that are used to treat indigestion, such as proton pump inhibitors and histamine-2 receptor antagonists, and reduce their effectiveness.