Alcohol poisoning is the result of drinking large amounts of alcohol in a short period of time, usually binge drinking, with nearly 50,000 cases of poisoning every year according to What is Alcohol Poisoning? One cannot "sleep off" the effects of alcohol poisoning, nor do black coffee or a cold shower help. Alcohol poisoning is a serious medical emergency that can result in death.
Effects
MayoClinic.com states alcohol decreases the normal function of nerves supplying the breathing center, heart rate and rhythm as well as the gag reflex, which can lead to choking. Drinking too much alcohol can lead to a severe drop in body temperature, which may result in cardiac arrest. Excessive alcohol can also decrease blood sugar enough to cause a seizure.
Symptoms
Nausea and vomiting are often the earliest symptoms of alcohol poisoning. The government bulletin College Drinking: Changing the Culture lists several other signs and symptoms of poisoning, including, confusion, slow or irregular breathing, loss of consciousness,cold body temperature and seizures. Blood alcohol level will continue to increase even with loss of consciousness.
Time Frame
Most alcohol is metabolized by the liver according to MayoClinic.com. It takes the liver approximately one hour to metabolize one drink, which is defined as 12 ounces of beer, 4 to 5 ounces of wine or 1.5 ounces of 80-proof liquor. Alcohol metabolism is affected by the amount of food in the stomach. MayoClinic.com reports that up to 20 percent of alcohol is absorbed from an empty stomach and reaches the brain in less than 60 seconds.
Risk Factors
MayoClinic.com says there are several risk factors for alcohol poisoning. One factor is age. Although teens and college students are most likely to binge drink, most alcohol poisoning deaths are in people between the ages of 45 to 54. Men typically are considered at greater risk for alcohol poisoning when compared to women; however, more women are drinking including binge drinking. Alcohol is absorbed faster from the stomach in smaller people. The use of certain medications including anti-nausea medications and drugs used for anxiety can also predispose one to alcohol poisoning.
Treatment
Prompt medical treatment for alcohol poisoning is important. Supportive care is given while the alcohol is metabolized. This includes careful monitoring, often in an intensive care unit. Oxygen therapy is usually used, and sometimes the patient is placed on a ventilator. Intravenous fluids for rehydration are given along with vitamins and nutrients. Problem binge drinking may require long-term counseling to determine what drives the excessive drinking.
