Since the start of the dog days, many patients have suffered from gastrointestinal diseases due to excessive consumption of iced beer, especially those aged 25-45. Mild cases present with symptoms such as stomach pain, bloating, abdominal pain, and diarrhea, while severe cases can lead to acute upper gastrointestinal bleeding. Zhang Qiuzhan, Director of the Gastroenterology Department at the Fourth Central Hospital, cautions that four groups of people with gastrointestinal diseases should avoid drinking iced beer.
The first group consists of patients with chronic gastritis or enteritis. Iced beverages can irritate the gastrointestinal tract, leading to dysfunction or spasmodic contractions of the digestive system, which can trigger gastritis or enteritis.
The second group includes patients with peptic ulcers, such as gastric ulcers and duodenal ulcers. Excessive consumption of iced beer can cause the stomach to expand, leading to distension of the gastric wall, which can induce pain from the ulcer and even cause acute perforation.
The third group comprises patients with liver diseases such as hepatitis B and cirrhosis. After drinking excessive amounts of beer, blood volume expands and urine output increases. However, as large amounts of water are quickly excreted, alcohol is rapidly absorbed, thereby increasing the burden on the liver.
The fourth group consists of patients who have had pancreatitis. Alcohol is the primary trigger for a recurrence of pancreatitis. Even beer with a low alcohol content places a significant burden on the pancreas.