Acute Alcohol Poisoning

Alcoholism is a serious problem found to be increasing all over the world. It affects the individual's personal as well as social life. Alcoholism leaves a significant impact on the health and well-being of the individual. It also remarkably affects the economical condition of an individual. The children of alcoholics are more likely to start drinking during their adolescence. They tend to develop alcohol abuse disorders more frequently. If a small amount of liquor is consumed, then it may not be harmful. But if excessive quantity of alcohol is consumed, then it can cause alcohol poisoning.

Our body is able to eliminate a certain amount of alcohol at a time, about 12-ounce can of beer per hour. If we drink excessively, then it causes a significant increase in blood alcohol concentration or blood alcohol level. A potentially fatal overdose of alcohol needs an immediate medical treatment. Alcohol poisoning directly affects your central nervous system and can cause a number of health problems.

Causes

Alcoholism may be related to stress relief or to numb pain and peer pressure. Ethanol is found in alcoholic beverages and also in some common household items such as colognes, mouthwashes, after-shaves, perfumes and some medications. Methanol is found in items such as paints, antifreeze, solvents and varnishes. Isopropyl alcohol is found in lotions, rubbing alcohol and some cleaning products. Most often, acute alcohol poisoning results from drinking excessive ethanol in the form of alcoholic beverages.

Symptoms

The effects of alcohol on your body depend upon the blood alcohol concentration (BAC). It is associated with the amount of alcohol consumed, concentration of alcohol and how much your stomach is empty. If the levels of alcohol in your blood increase beyond the elimination limits, then it circulates throughout the body, leading to alcohol poisoning. It causes the following symptoms:

• Vomiting
• Confusion, stupor
• Slow or irregular breathing
• Low body temperature (hypothermia)
• Blue-tinged skin or pale skin
• Unconsciousness
• Seizures

If alcohol poisoning is left untreated or neglected, then the victim can choke on his own vomit. Breathing becomes slow, irregular or even stops. There may be hypoglycemia, leading to seizure. Untreated severe dehydration due to vomiting can lead to permanent brain damage or even death.

Treatment

The treatment involves a careful monitoring, oxygen therapy, respiratory tract protection in order to prevent choking or breathing problems, intravenous administration of fluids to prevent dehydration. If methanol is ingested, then kidney dialysis is essential to accelerate the alcohol elimination process.

Consumption of alcoholic beverages in moderate quantity is the best way to prevent alcohol poisoning. Daily one drink for women and two drinks for men are recommended. 5 ounces of wine, 12 ounces of wine or beer cooler or 1.5 ounces of 80-proof distilled spirits is considered to be a standard drink consumption level, which can be eliminated by our body. Young adults between the ages of 18 and 22 are more likely to be addicted to alcohol. Make them aware about the hazards of alcohol poisoning.