Since the start of the "dog days of summer," many patients have suffered from gastrointestinal diseases due to excessive consumption of iced beer, particularly 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 categories of individuals with digestive tract diseases should avoid drinking iced beer.
The first category includes 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 category includes patients with peptic ulcers, such as gastric ulcers or duodenal ulcers. Excessive consumption of iced beer can cause the stomach to expand, leading to distension of the stomach wall, which can trigger pain from the ulcer disease and even cause acute perforation.
The third category includes patients with liver diseases such as hepatitis B or 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 category includes patients who have had pancreatitis. Alcohol consumption is the biggest trigger for a recurrence of pancreatitis. Even beer with a low alcohol content can place a significant burden on the pancreas.