alcohol intoxication

Alcohol poisoning: description

An overdose of alcohol in the blood is called alcohol poisoning. Signs are often a slurred speech and a “staggering” gait, but also more serious disorders of body function and consciousness. Acute alcohol intoxication is to be distinguished from chronic alcohol intoxication, which can lead to damage to the organs due to continuous high alcohol consumption.

Alcohols are cell and nerve toxins

The drinkable alcohol, the ethanol, is actually not toxic. However, it affects the central nervous system and its breakdown products interfere with liver function and blood cell red blood cells. In contrast, isopropanol, methanol or ethylene are among the toxic alcohols and are also called “fuselages”. They cause severe poisoning symptoms even at low doses.

ethanol

The alcoholic fermentation of sugary matter produces ethanol. This alcohol is a desired ingredient of beverages, food, but also a solvent and preservative in medicines or mouthwash. Ethanol is taken up very quickly by the mucous membrane of the gastrointestinal tract after ingestion. About 20 to 60 minutes after ingestion, it reaches its maximum concentration in the blood. Two to six hours later, about half of the ethanol is degraded and excreted.

The “poisoning symptoms” of ethanol are mainly caused by its action on nerves and brain and by its toxic degradation products and are dependent on the alcohol concentration in the blood as well as on the individual tolerability.

Alcohol is mainly consumed with alcohol, but depending on the quality of the alcohol, it also contains fuselages in the drink. It is also believed that the fuselages are responsible for the physical symptoms such as headache and nausea after drinking alcohol.

Habituation and body constitution

The extent of alcohol poisoning does not always correlate with the amount of alcohol consumed. The severity of the symptoms depends on the physical condition at the time of ingestion (fluid and food intake in the hours before, restlessness, etc.) and the habituation of the person concerned to alcohol, his physique and age.

People who consume alcohol often show less symptoms than those who rarely or rarely drink alcohol. In contrast, people with brain damage have an increased risk of alcohol poisoning after very small amounts of alcohol.

What are per thousand?

The blood alcohol concentration is given in per mille. It determines how much milligrams of alcohol are present in one gram (about one milliliter) of blood. With four per thousand – a potentially lethal dose – so are four milligrams of alcohol in one gram of blood. In road traffic, the alcohol concentration is measured by the exhaled air and then expressed in milligrams of alcohol per deciliter of blood.

Alcohol poisoning: symptoms

Even with a small amount of alcohol in the blood, for example, after enjoying a glass of wine, a feeling of well-being and warmth sets in. The 0.5-thousandth limit can already be reached by this glass. If alcohol continues to be consumed, the first “changes in nature”, such as a euphoric mood and disinhibition, set in. The choice of words becomes increasingly flaky, the language washed out, the perception of pain diminished and the reaction time significantly extended. If the concentration of alcohol in the blood increases further, balance disorders and dizziness, vomiting and nausea occur. Cold is no longer perceived, the reaction time is extremely prolonged.

Alcohol poisoning in the advanced stage is characterized by significant limitations of important brain functions and is associated with:

• Disturbances of consciousness
• Thought disorders
• Perception and memory disorder
• Disorder of emotionality
• behavioral problems
• Slowing down the reaction time
• Vomit

Stages of alcohol poisoning

The slight alcohol intoxication occurs from a blood alcohol concentration of 0.5 to 1.5 per thousand. Those affected can no longer stand securely and “stagger” while walking. The language is indistinct and washed out. Judgment and self-control decrease. Often there is an increased drive, which manifests itself as a rush for speech, but also as a distance reduction. From 0.5 per thousand (for example, after two glasses of sparkling wine), an employee is already considered unfit for work.

Moderate alcohol intoxication increases mental and behavioral disorders. Those affected are in a euphoric mood, but may also be aggressive in their alternation. The judgment is very limited, while the orientation is usually still little affected. From blood alcohol concentrations of one per thousand body movements, reflexes and coordination are disturbed. Those affected usually vomit.

At the stage of severe alcohol intoxication, a blood alcohol concentration of between 2.5 and 4 parts per thousand is achieved. The existing symptoms increase. Those affected can only blur speaking, walking is almost impossible due to the disturbed sense of balance and the lack of coordination. Also psychiatric symptoms such as disturbances of consciousness and illusions occur. Through a pronounced lack of distance and disinhibition, those affected can be intrusive and harassing or commit crimes.

Protection reflexes fail

With progressive alcohol poisoning also vital bodily functions are impaired. Breathing is slowed down, blood pressure drops, important protective reflexes fail. Through a reduced swallowing and coughing reflex, food components or liquids, including expired gastric juice, can enter the respiratory tract. This can cause severe inflammation of the respiratory tract. In the worst case of alcohol poisoning, the entire cardiovascular system and breathing can eventually collapse.

From four per thousand life’s danger!

When exceeding the four-per-thousandth limit, it usually comes to so-called alcoholic coma. Breathing and reflexes are significantly reduced or fall out. Even a multi-organ failure, in which gradually the body organs give up their function, is possible. The kidneys and liver are particularly affected. Multiple organ failure is life-threatening and must be treated in the intensive care unit.

A blood alcohol concentration of five per thousand is usually fatal.

Alcohol poisoning: causes and risk factors

Alcohol in the blood is broken down by the liver. However, the degradation capacity of the liver is limited. Ethanol, fuselages, but also toxic degradation products accumulate in the blood. Ethanol changes the structure of nerve cells so that their function is disturbed or they destroy themselves. It comes to the typical symptoms of drunkenness.

After drinking high-proof drinks, alcohol poisoning occurs more quickly because the liver has to break down high doses of alcohol in no time. In addition, the nausea threshold is not reached so quickly. The person affected does not have to vomit the alcohol, although he has already reached a stage of severe alcohol poisoning.

Why alcohol is consumed in part to a significant extent harmful to health, depends on many factors. On the one hand, the desire for “more” often increases when alcohol has already been drunk. Societal constraints as well as pressure within the circle of friends mean that more alcoholic beverages are consumed than tolerated. Mental stress and illness can also lead to uncontrolled alcohol consumption.

Especially children and adolescents are at an increased risk of alcohol poisoning. Signs of risky alcohol use, such as frequent or severe intoxication, should always be taken seriously. If parents are alcoholics, the children are at an increased risk of becoming addicted to alcohol.

Alcohol poisoning: examinations and diagnosis

A serious alcohol poisoning is a medical emergency. But also lighter forms of poisoning can be dangerous for those affected. In case of severe poisoning, always call a doctor.

After a brief anamnesis interview, sometimes only possible with relatives or acquaintances, a physical examination follows. So the doctor can assess the severity of alcohol poisoning.

Subsequently, the blood sugar level of the person affected is measured. Especially in diabetics whose blood sugar levels are too low, symptoms similar to alcohol poisoning can occur.

Blood tests and drug screening

The hospital also measures the concentration of alcohol in the blood. Especially with chronic alcoholics, further blood levels must be determined because concomitant diseases can lead to complications.

Since the person concerned could knowingly or unknowingly also have taken other drugs, a so-called “drug screening” is performed. Especially for the therapy, it is important to know whether other substances have caused the poisoning or aggravated the symptoms.

In some cases, the symptoms of alcohol withdrawal syndrome may be similar to those of alcohol intoxication.

Alcohol poisoning: treatment

Severe alcohol poisoning should be treated in any case. This usually requires medical attention.

What to do with alcohol poisoning?

If alcoholic intoxication is suspected, alcohol consumption must be stopped first. Vomiting, also self-induced, carries residual amounts of alcohol from the stomach. If those affected can keep liquids, take plenty of water. After that, rest and sleep are important. Light alcohol poisoning can in most cases “sleep off” without medical intervention. Nevertheless, those affected should not be left alone for the duration of the symptoms of intoxication.

Help with serious poisoning

If a person is unconscious due to a severe alcohol intoxication, they should immediately be taken to the stable side position with the head overstretched. This position can prevent vomit from entering the trachea. A blanket protects against cooling. After that, the emergency doctor must be alerted. If drunk persons behave aggressively or endanger themselves, the police should be called without hesitation.

Therapy in the hospital

Alcohol intoxication attempts to relieve symptoms and prevent complications. In addition, any possibility of self-harm to the patient must be prevented. The treatment is based on the severity of the symptoms.

First, the affected person is supplied via a venous access liquid. Most of the time you let the drunk “sleep off” under observation. Heart function, oxygen saturation, blood pressure and blood sugar are controlled. Serious alcohol intoxications require monitoring in an intensive care unit. Sometimes renal failure may require dialysis, respiratory arrest ventilation.

When the drunk patients are agitated or aggressive, they usually give a sedative drug. In exceptional cases, those affected are fixed for their own protection.

Alcohol poisoning with toxic alcohols such as methanol or isopropanol usually needs to be treated with medication.

Alcohol poisoning: disease course and prognosis

In order to avoid alcohol poisoning, the education of adolescents is of great importance. If young people often suffer from alcohol poisoning, lifelong consequences can occur. Therefore, any case of alcohol abuse should be taken seriously. Of the over 100,000 people who have to be treated annually in German hospitals for alcohol poisoning, there are more than 20,000 young people between the ages of 15 and 20 years.

Binge drinking

In recent years, the so-called “binge drinking” has become established among young people – a very risky and consequential way of dealing with alcohol. In no time, alcohol is consumed in large quantities. The goal of intoxication is an altered state of consciousness that often ends in unconsciousness.

Driving ban on alcohol consumption

After alcohol consumption, the car should be left standing. Legally speaking, between 0.3 and 1.1 parts per thousand is a “relative inability to drive”. If failures occur and a police blood test in this area fails, it has made a criminal offense. A blood alcohol concentration above 1.1 per mille at auto and 1.6 per thousand at cyclists, corresponds to an “absolute inactivity”. Participation in road traffic by car or bike is then always punishable.

Alcohol poisoning: consequences

Usually heal easily alcohol poisoning without consequences. However, repeated or severe alcohol intoxications can cause damage to the brain, liver and kidneys. In particularly severe cases, alcohol poisoning is fatal.

Pregnant women should definitely abstain from any alcohol, since the consumption can lead to serious developmental disorders of the child.