| Why do I feel better when I drink alcohol?
I've been meaning to post this for a long time because it is baffling to me, so here goes: I'm not a big drinker and never have been. When I was having issues with eating about a year ago, my GI doc suggested I have a glass of wine or beer with dinner because it would relax me and increase my appetite. So I started doing that. Low and behold, not only does it relax me (duh!), but it dulls any pain I have and allows me to eat more. I also feel like I don't have the same digestive problems afterwards-- excessive fullness, belching, etc. I told this to a doctor friend of mine who said it meant that my stomach problems were probably largely psychological. I didn't like hearing that, but I could see how it might play a role. Has anyone else experienced this? I don't drink much, and I've even heard that alcohol delays gastric emptying, which I think would be worse for me, but in terms of how I feel after I eat when I've had a drink, it's actually better. How weird is that?
Any thoughts???? Thanks!
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