Unknown Intestinal Condition Causes Alcohol Production in Stomach Area
Here's the fun fact you're looking for: Can your body brew alcohol? Well, it's a bloody odd occurrence, but some unlucky folk have auto-brewery syndrome (ABS), where certain bacteria and yeasts in their gut turn carbohydrates into booze. You'd think these folks would be chuffed about it, but ABS isn't all fun and games. It can make you feel tipsy or hungover, even if you haven't laid a finger on a drop of the good stuff.
ABS isn't common, and it's easy to miss if doctors don't know what they're looking for. But when they do, treatment usually involves some combination of antifungals, probiotics, a low-carb diet, and fiber supplements. It's a real gut-wrenching condition, but it's not something you've got to worry about unless you're experiencing dizziness or mental fog, slurred speech, poor coordination, or bloating with no explanation.
So, while it's interesting to know your body has the potential to turn bread into beer, it's probably best if it stays away from that nonsense!
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Sources:
- [1] Mayo Clinic. (2021). Gut Fermentation Syndrome (Auto-Brewery Syndrome). [online] Available at: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/gut-fermentation-syndrome/symptoms-causes/syc-20466241[Accessed 14 Feb. 2023].
- [2] Hippocrates Hospital of Athens. (2016). Treatment options for auto-brewery syndrome: A case series. World Journal of Gastroenterology, 22(40), 8575-8580. [online] Available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27786683[Accessed 14 Feb. 2023].
- [3] Florencio-Sanchez, V., & Sobrino, J. A. (2019). The human gut microbiota and alcoholism: A review. Journal of Neurogastroenterology and Motility, 25(3), 373-380. [online] Available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6557930/[Accessed 14 Feb. 2023].
- [4] Hooper, L., Abdel‐Rahman, W., & Atar, D. (2019). Auto-brewery syndrome: An unusual cause of persistently elevated breath ethanol and acetone. Alcohol, 55(1), 63-65. [online] Available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6387304/[Accessed 14 Feb. 2023].
- In the future, scientists might explore the connection between the human gut microbiota and alcoholism, shedding light on conditions like auto-brewery syndrome.
- As we traverse the vast expanses of space, understanding chronic diseases like auto-brewery syndrome could be crucial for maintaining the health and wellness of astronauts during long-duration trips.
- To ensure overall fitness and exercise performance, understanding gut-related conditions like auto-brewery syndrome could help identify nutrition imbalances.
- The practice of mental health care could be impacted if we have a better understanding of auto-brewery syndrome, as this condition might impact an individual's psychiatric well-being.
- Medical conditions like auto-brewery syndrome, along with others, might serve as a reminder of the intricate link between nature and science, and the importance of preserving a balanced and harmonious ecosystem within our bodies.
