Beverages such as beer, wine and hard liquor all contain ethyl alcohol---also called ethanol. When consumed in moderation, ethyl alcohol is generally harmless. The Mayo Clinic reports, however, that drinking too much ethyl alcohol too rapidly can lead to devastating consequences, including death. Ethyl alcohol poisoning is a medical emergency, but a specific course of treatment can save the life of a drinker who has had more than "a few too many."
Identification
Ethyl alcohol poisoning is a serious condition beyond heavy intoxication or drunkenness, and can't be "slept off" until the hangover. Hence, the first and most crucial element in ethyl alcohol poisoning treatment is a responsibility that falls on those around a person who has ingested a dangerous amount of ethanol: identifying the symptoms of this emergency. Key signs of alcohol poisoning include vomiting, confusion, pale or clammy skin, blue lips, low body temperature, seizures, unconsciousness, and dramatically slowed breathing---less than eight breaths per minute. If any these signs are present, the drinker needs to be taken to the emergency room immediately for medical treatment.
Features
When someone experiencing ethyl alcohol poisoning arrives at the emergency room, medical professionals use various methods to treat this condition. Medical treatment involves ensuring that the patient can breathe without choking, so airway support is administered---including oxygen ventilators and breathing tubes. To prevent severe dehydration, doctors also administer fluids intravenously.
Time Frame
The duration of treatment for ethyl alcohol poisoning depends on its severity---which in turn depends on how much ethanol was consumed, and how quickly. During treatment, medical professionals carefully monitor the patient's vital signs, regularly checking pulse rate, blood pressure, breathing and body temperature, reports the University of Maryland Medical Center.
Effects
Ethyl alcohol poisoning treatment is essential to combating deadly effects such as choking on vomit and asphyxiation from vomit inhaled into the lungs. In extreme cases of ethyl alcohol poisoning where the drinker receives treatment too late, permanent brain damage due to lack of oxygen to the brain can result.
Prevention
To prevent serious complications of ethyl alcohol poisoning, there are some things you can do while waiting for emergency treatment that can save the affected person's life. The University of Maryland Medical Center recommends trying to wake the person if he is unconscious; if you can't wake him, roll him onto his side in case he vomits. Never try to induce vomiting---this can lead to choking or asphyxiation. Stay with the person suffering from ethyl alcohol poisoning until emergency personnel arrive to treat him.
