Do you think alcohol/caffeine trigger UC flare-ups?
Yes, both do every time I use them. - 0.0% - 0 votes
No, neither are related to my flares. - 50.0% - 5 votes
Alcohol does for me. - 20.0% - 2 votes
Caffeine does for me. - 0.0% - 0 votes
When consumed more than a few at a time, both will cause flares. - 0.0% - 0 votes
Depends on how much I have. - 30.0% - 3 votes
KC5242014
New Member
Joined : Mar 2018
Posts : 16
Posted 3/15/2018 12:02 AM (GMT 0)
Do UC sufferers believe that alcohol and/or caffeine trigger flare-ups?
DBwithUC
Veteran Member
Joined : Feb 2011
Posts : 4545
Posted 3/15/2018 1:38 AM (GMT 0)
I think you are confusing flares and symptoms.
I can only function because my daily coffee get me done with pooping before I leave the house, and the day after most alcohol consumption I have gas and looser stool.
HJQuinn
Regular Member
Joined : Jan 2018
Posts : 108
Posted 3/15/2018 2:41 AM (GMT 0)
I don't think they are triggers but they can aggravate symptoms. Caffeine just makes you have to use the restroom. Alcohol I believe is high in sulfur which UC sufferers have a hard time detoxifying.
ks1905
Veteran Member
Joined : Sep 2005
Posts : 6428
Posted 3/15/2018 3:08 AM (GMT 0)
People who have good colons have problems with both alcohol and caffeine, it is not exclusive to IBDs. If you have UC you could be making your "symptoms" even worse but it is not the cause of a UC flare. I never let a UC flare stop me from drinking coffee or alcohol; I knew the chances. If you are flaring then you need stronger medications to get it under control. Once you are back in remission then your colon should act almost similar to pre-UC symptoms, ie if you had issues with Caffeine or alcohol prior to uc then you'll probably have the same symptoms or worse in remission/flare.
The answer is NO to your question if it can trigger a flare. The current medical theory is that a flare is a bad immune system response.
iPoop
Forum Moderator
Joined : Aug 2012
Posts : 16483
Posted 3/15/2018 1:00 PM (GMT 0)
Ditto the above.
Caffeine can stimulate bowel muscle movements which can cause you to need to poop, and that does not cause a flare up of UC and that affect is not universal (some are very senstative and caffeine is like a colonoscopy prep and cleans them out, others have no effect from it like me).
Alcohol can temporarily and mildly irritate the lining of the digestive tract. If you've ever binge drinked at a party then you're hungover, vomit, and have diarrhea as a consequence which is a temporary reaction to the gut irritation alcohol causes. You recover within 24-48 hours and return to normal. Alcohol has the same reaction with UC people. Again, some are more sensitive and a drink can be like a colonoscopy prep and clean us out. For some of us with UC, drinking in moderation is fine and there is no adverse affect (like me). I do not believe alcohol causes flares either, it's just a temporary irritation.
KC5242014
New Member
Joined : Mar 2018
Posts : 16
Posted 3/15/2018 1:15 PM (GMT 0)
Such helpful information I am collecting on this site, thank you.
Question: When I was in remission for 8 months, I drank no more than three alcoholic drinks on most weekends (total), and two cups of coffee every morning and had no issues. Everything functioned smoothly. And, before I was diagnosed and before I ever suffered, I tolerated both alcohol and caffeine pretty well.
But...now that I am in full-flare mode, would it be wise to not have either? As in, would consuming alcohol and/caffeine while in flare mode create for a longer healing period? Or does it not matter whatsoever?
iPoop
Forum Moderator
Joined : Aug 2012
Posts : 16483
Posted 3/15/2018 4:05 PM (GMT 0)
In flare-mode everything bothers us and often caffeine and alcohol doubly so.
Try skipping them for a day and see if you feel better without. Might help and might not. Try and see.
Posted 3/15/2018 5:48 PM (GMT 0)
I feel like you could correlate anything to a trigger if you really wanted. I remember when I thought the Jacuzzi was the trigger, or the fajita, or the refried beans... too many veggies, that darn salad dressing, maybe it was the water in that hotel... If you're unstable, you're unstable, and sadly, it's likely you're going to flare sooner than later. Blame it on something, or you can just call it UC.
quincy
Elite Member
Joined : May 2003
Posts : 33769
Posted 3/15/2018 5:50 PM (GMT 0)
Know the difference. You are also undertreated UC-wise.
q