When consuming any amount of alcohol, intoxication (poisoning) of the body occurs. The degree of intoxication depends on the quantity and quality of the drink. Severe alcohol poisoning can lead to long-term health consequences, while mild intoxication is generally not dangerous.
But we should not forget that
Alcohol is a narcotic poison that can cause a person not only intoxication, but also acute poisoning, often life-threatening.
Content
Signs of alcohol poisoning
Alcohol intoxication refers to impaired brain function due to an overdose of alcohol. Typical symptoms are imbalance, nausea, vomiting and confusion. In addition, blood pressure increases and heart rate increases. Large doses cause inhibition of the cortex and vital centers of the brain (respiratory, vasomotor). This explains all the unpleasant sensations that characterize the hangover.
Severe alcohol poisoning leads to serious respiratory and circulatory disorders, which is the main cause of death.
In this case, the following symptoms appear:
- profound disruption of the central nervous system up to loss of consciousness,
- loss of pain sensitivity,
- convulsions,
- cold damp skin
- purple face,
- dilated blood vessels are clearly visible on the whites of the eyes,
- a lot of mucus and saliva are released from the nose and mouth, sometimes in the form of foam,
- involuntary stool and urination are possible,
- noisy breathing
- Possible tongue retraction.
In the most severe cases of poisoning, blood pressure drops, the pulse is thready and rapid, and breathing becomes shallow.
Ethanol
Ethanol is a drinking alcohol that is widely used in the food and cosmetic industries. It is not toxic, but is bad for the central nervous system, and its breakdown products can impair liver function and red blood cell formation.
Ethanol is formed during alcoholic fermentation of sugar-containing substances.
It is very quickly absorbed after ingestion by the mucous membrane of the gastrointestinal tract. Within approximately 20-60 minutes after drinking alcohol, it reaches its maximum concentration in the blood. After a time interval of two to six hours, about half of the ethanol is broken down and excreted.
The severity of symptoms of poisoning depends on the concentration of alcohol in the blood and individual tolerance. In addition, the amount of fusel oils in drinks, which have an adverse effect on the body, is important.
What is ppm?
Blood alcohol content is measured in ppm. This determines how many milligrams of alcohol are contained in a gram of blood. Four ppm - a potentially lethal dose - is four milligrams of alcohol in one gram of blood.
Stages of alcohol intoxication
Mild alcohol intoxication occurs when the blood alcohol concentration is from 0.5 to 1.5 ppm. People cannot stand firmly and stagger when walking. Judgment and self-control are lost. Starting from 0.5 ppm (for example, after two glasses of champagne), it is considered that the employee can no longer perform his functions.
Moderate alcohol poisoning causes mental and behavioral disorders. The person is in euphoria, but it can alternate with an aggressive mood. Starting from a blood alcohol concentration of one ppm, reflexes and coordination are impaired. Typically, such alcohol poisoning is accompanied by vomiting.
In the stage of severe alcohol intoxication, a blood alcohol concentration of 2.5 to four ppm is achieved. It intensifies all existing symptoms. The skin turns pale, there is no sense of balance, and the poisoned person cannot speak or walk.
Psychiatric symptoms also appear, such as disturbances of consciousness and hallucinations, meaninglessness and disinhibition of behavior. A person can behave intrusively, intrusively, and is capable of committing a crime. Protective reflexes disappear.
If you continue to drink, vital body functions begin to suffer.
Breathing slows, blood pressure decreases, and protective reflexes decrease. A sharp decrease in swallowing and cough reflexes can lead to food masses, sometimes with gastric juice, entering the respiratory tract. This leads to severe inflammation of the latter. If help is not provided in time, the functioning of the entire cardiovascular and respiratory systems is disrupted.
Starting from four ppm there is a real threat to life!
When the level exceeds four ppm, in most cases a so-called alcoholic coma occurs. Breathing and reflexes are significantly reduced or disappear. Various organs begin to fail. The kidneys and liver are especially quickly affected. In this condition, a person can only be helped in the intensive care unit.
At a blood alcohol level of five ppm, death most often occurs.
Mechanism of alcohol poisoning
Alcohol from the blood enters the liver, where it is broken down. However, the liver's capabilities are limited. Ethanol, fusel oils, and toxic breakdown products accumulate in the blood. Ethanol changes the structure of nerve cells in such a way that their function is impaired or they destroy themselves.
Alcohol poisoning occurs faster if you drink strong drinks, since the liver must break down high doses of alcohol as quickly as possible. In addition, the nausea threshold may not be reached so quickly. And although a high level of intoxication has already occurred, there is no gag reflex.
What to do in case of alcohol poisoning?
- If you suspect acute poisoning, you must urgently call an ambulance. Before the doctor arrives, place the poisoned person on his side, tilting his head forward, so that he does not choke on the vomit.
- Give ammonia to sniff.
- Cover with a blanket.
- Milder degrees of poisoning usually do not require medical intervention.
- It is necessary to open the windows to allow the victim to breathe fresh air.
- Induce vomiting.
- Cover with a blanket and, if necessary, place warm heating pads on your feet and hands.
- Place ice in a rag or bubble on your head.
- If your blood pressure is low, drink strong tea or black coffee
- You can give ascorbic acid, as it breaks down red blood cells that have stuck together due to the effects of alcohol.
Poisoning with alcohol substitutes
Alcohol surrogates include chemical substances that are drunk instead of alcohol. Unlike ethanol, isopropanol, methanol or ethylene are toxic substances. Even in small doses they cause severe poisoning.
Ethylene glycol decomposes in the body to highly toxic products: glycolic and
oxalic acids. As a result, the central nervous system is affected. The following signs of alcohol poisoning appear:
- sudden excitement
- convulsions
- loss of consciousness
- breathing and heart problems
- acute renal failure.
Moonshine also has a harmful effect on the body. During its production, a large amount of fusel oils is formed, which negatively affects the functions of the stomach and liver.
First aid for poisoning with any alcohol substitute
- If the victim of poisoning is conscious, immediately empty his stomach. To do this, give him 3-4 glasses of water to drink, preferably with 1 teaspoon of baking soda per glass of water.
- Carefully, so as not to damage the mucous membrane of the pharynx, press the spoon onto the root of the tongue to induce vomiting.
- Give strong tea or coffee.
If the victim is unconscious, then only medical workers can clear his stomach.
- Before the ambulance arrives, the patient is placed on his side without a pillow. Turn your head to the side to avoid vomit from entering the respiratory tract during spontaneous vomiting.
- Allow the ammonia vapor to inhale.
If you are firmly convinced that poisoning occurred with methyl alcohol or ethylene glycol, then the victim should be given to drink (if he is conscious) 100-150 ml of ethyl alcohol (vodka).
The severity of the condition in this poisoning is due to the breakdown products of methyl alcohol and ethylene glycol in the body, and ethyl alcohol slows down this breakdown.
Consequences of poisoning
As a rule, mild alcohol poisoning remains without consequences. Repeated poisoning or severe alcohol intoxication can cause damage to the brain, liver and kidneys. In especially severe cases, alcohol intoxication leads to death.
Pregnant women should definitely abstain from any alcohol, as its consumption can lead to serious developmental problems in the child.
It is important to educate teens about how they can be harmed by alcohol poisoning. If a young, developing organism is poisoned, the health consequences can last a lifetime. Recently, the proportion of teenagers aged 15 to 20 in the total number of people suffering from alcoholism has increased all over the world.
Treatment
Mild to moderate alcohol poisoning does not require special treatment unless other organs are affected. It is enough to drink plenty of fluids and “lie down”.
Severe alcohol poisoning is treated in the clinic. Treatment is aimed at relieving symptoms and preventing complications. The patient is given a drip. At the same time, heart function, blood pressure and blood sugar levels are monitored.
Particularly severe cases require treatment in the intensive care unit. Sometimes, in case of renal failure, dialysis is necessary; in case of respiratory arrest, artificial ventilation of the lungs is performed.
Poisoning with alcohol surrogates is treated with medication.
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