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What Causes Diarrhoea And Fever Post Alcohol Consumption?

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Posted on Mon, 2 Nov 2015
Question: Hello, the night before last I drank a few alcoholic drinks and yesterday I've had flu like symptoms and diaherrea. Today the flu like symptoms are gone but in the middle of the night my right arm and shoulder hurt bad. I do not have yellow whites of the eyes and no yellow skin.
Does this sound like liver problems?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Alexander H. Sheppe (4 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Consultation

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your question. This does not sound like a liver issue to me, although depending on a few things it could be. How many drinks do you average a week? Sometimes irritation of the liver and/or gallbladder can cause right shoulder pain. Yellow eyes and skin do not occur until very late in liver failure, so it is possible you are having mild symptoms of early liver problems if you are an alcoholic. If you only have a few drinks every now and then, this is very unlikely to be a liver issue. You can get a blood test to check liver enzymes if you are particularly worried.

My name is Dr. Sheppe, and I am an XXXXXXX psychiatrist working in New York City. For a personalized comprehensive evaluation, treatment recommendations, or individual therapy, ask me at HealthCareMagic at this private link: tinyurl.com/DrSheppeAnswers
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Neel Kudchadkar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Alexander H. Sheppe (10 minutes later)
Thank you for your response. I honestly drink a few drinks a night around 4-6 and have been for a few years. With the flu like symptoms and diarrhea yesterday I immediately stopped and haven't had any since then.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Alexander H. Sheppe (0 minute later)
Brief Answer:
Follow-up

Detailed Answer:
Given the amount and duration of your drinking, I would visit a doctor for a blood test to rule out liver damage. Better to be safe than sorry, and liver damage is possible given your level of drinking. I would also seek treatment for an alcohol use disorder to ensure your health does not decline further.

The diarrhea will resolve in a few days and does not affect my recommendation.

For a personalized comprehensive evaluation, treatment recommendations, or individual therapy, ask me at HealthCareMagic at this private link: tinyurl.com/DrSheppeAnswers
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T
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Follow up: Dr. Alexander H. Sheppe (1 minute later)
Also I still have the diarrhea.

So it's safe to say at this moment I don't have any serious liver problems if I stop drinking alcohol?

Also, just to confirm. Today I have no other problems except moving around kills my shoulder and arm. No fogginess no other problems except the diarrhea I mentioned and the shoulder/arm pain. Also the diahrrea happens once or twice an hour. Thanks so much for your time. I am certainly going to make a change in my health. There's nothing worse than the worry that happens when you don't know if you have a serious illness or not.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Alexander H. Sheppe (5 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Follow-up

Detailed Answer:
To clarify, it is highly unlikely you are currently in liver failure. However, that is not to say you might not be developing a serious liver problem. As I said, you should visit a doctor to do a blood test for liver function. The right shoulder pain is possibly, though not especially likely, related to liver damage, and the amount and duration you have been drinking heavily means you may have some liver damage already. This is probably reversible if you stop drinking now and visit a doctor to manage this closely. But no, you do not have a life-threatening illness at this point.

The diarrhea is not related to any liver issues and will resolve on its own with time.

I hope this was helpful. If you have any questions about treatment for alcoholism, I'd be happy to answer them for you. Again, for a personalized comprehensive evaluation, treatment recommendations, or individual therapy, ask me at HealthCareMagic at this private link: tinyurl.com/DrSheppeAnswers

Note: In case of any other concern or query related to prevention, evaluation, diagnosis, treatment, or the recovery of persons with the any type of addiction or substance use, follow up with our Addiction Medicine Specialist. Click here to book a consultation now.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T
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Answered by
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Dr. Alexander H. Sheppe

Psychiatrist

Practicing since :2014

Answered : 2236 Questions

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What Causes Diarrhoea And Fever Post Alcohol Consumption?

Brief Answer: Consultation Detailed Answer: Thanks for your question. This does not sound like a liver issue to me, although depending on a few things it could be. How many drinks do you average a week? Sometimes irritation of the liver and/or gallbladder can cause right shoulder pain. Yellow eyes and skin do not occur until very late in liver failure, so it is possible you are having mild symptoms of early liver problems if you are an alcoholic. If you only have a few drinks every now and then, this is very unlikely to be a liver issue. You can get a blood test to check liver enzymes if you are particularly worried. My name is Dr. Sheppe, and I am an XXXXXXX psychiatrist working in New York City. For a personalized comprehensive evaluation, treatment recommendations, or individual therapy, ask me at HealthCareMagic at this private link: tinyurl.com/DrSheppeAnswers