Alcohol and the Digestive Tract

Abstract

Alcohol leads to acute and chronic defects at the alimentary tract. Immediate and indirect effects are often not to be deliminated easily in the individual case. In the oesophagus above all disturbances of motility, reduction of the tonus, gastroesophageal reflux, oesophagotitides, Barrett's syndrome and carcinoma of the oesophagus develop. The Mallory-Weiss- and the Boerhaavesyndrome are to be regarded more as indirect associated sequelae. As to the stomach haemorrhagic gastrotitides and haemorrhages from erosions of the mucous membrane, as to the intestine changes of the motility, diarrhoea and malabsorptions.