Ask a doctor - Could drinking bleach cause lifelong stomach pain?

Q. Could drinking bleach cause lifelong stomach pain?

Doctor Answer is medically reviewed by SecondMedic medical review team.

Answered by Seconmedic Expert

Absolutely not. While it is true that drinking bleach can cause severe damage to the esophagus and digestive tract, leading to a variety of symptoms including stomach pain, these effects are often temporary. Long-term stomach pain as a result of consuming bleach is highly unlikely.

That said, ingesting any amount of bleach should always be avoided under all circumstances; even if small amounts don't lead to long-term issues such as an ulcer or infection, it still has the potential for causing short-term irritation and inflammation in the digestive system. These effects could easily lead to stomach aches which may be very unpleasant at best but could also potentially develop into something more serious like internal bleeding or perforation of the gastrointestinal tract.

The risks associated with drinking bleach go beyond just severe gastrointestinal distress; this substance also contains hazardous chemicals which have been linked with several chronic health problems such as delayed neurological development and cataracts in children if consumed over prolonged periods of time. It can also substantially reduce your body’s ability to absorb necessary nutrients from food by damaging the lining of your esophagus and intestines - thus leading to further complications related to nutrient deficiencies which can manifest themselves through stomach pains among other symptoms.

In conclusion, while drinking small amounts of bleach may only cause temporary stomach discomfort instead of long term issues - it is important that we recognize how dangerous this substance can be when ingested internally and avoid doing so completely in order protect our health from any adverse effects in both the short term and long term!