Alcohol when vaporized can be absorbed through the lungs and fatal intoxication has been known to occur as a result of inhalation. Alcohol consumption is associated with motility changes in the gastrointestinal tract and has an affect on digestion and absorption of nutrients. Ethanol effects may be direct or indirect, acute or chronic. One of the most intense changes, intestinal malabsorption, is not a direct effect of ethanol, but rather comes from abnormal metabolism accompanying alcoholism. Physical effects such as diarrhea and weight loss frequently occurs in alcoholics.
Alcohol consumption is a cause of acute gastritis and duodenitis.
These areas of the digestive system are exposed to the highest concentrations of ethanol for the longest period of time. Damage to the gastric mucosal barrier leaves mucosa more susceptible to acid and hyperosmolarity. The effects of ethanol on gastric emptying of meals are concentration dependent. The higher concentrations cause more consistent delay of passage of solid contents while enhancing the movement of liquids. Alcoholics may frequently suffer from diarrhea and malabsorption.