According to a study published by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 23.3 percent of persons older than the age of 12 participated in binge drinking in 2008. Defined by the Mayo Clinic as drinking more the than five drinks on one occasion, binge drinking can lead to a serious condition called alcohol poisoning, which is characterized by multiple harmful bodily effects.
Effects on Breathing
The Mayo Clinic reports that alcohol poisoning can have potentially fatal effects on the body by suppressing the naturally occurring gag reflex, which helps prevent choking. Another potentially serious side effect of alcohol poisoning is diminished or loss of consciousness and vomiting. When these three effects are combined, choking on vomit while unconscious can lead to asphyxiation and death. Furthermore, aside from stopping breathing through choking, alcohol poisoning can directly cause respiration to stop, as alcohol has a direct inhibitory effect on the nerves that control involuntary processes such as breathing.
Effects on the Heart
Merck Manuals, an online resource for medical professionals, reports that excessive alcohol intake can cause changes in heart rate. Alcohol can cause the heart rate to slow, which causes the blood pressure to fall as well. In instances of severe alcohol poisoning, the heart may stop beating.
Other Effects
Other effects of alcohol poisoning include, according to Mayo Clinic, confusion, stupor, and slurred speech. Alcohol poisoning can also result in a drop in body temperature, also called hypothermia. Excessive intake of alcohol may cause a reduction in blood sugar, which can cause seizures if the blood sugar falls too low. Merck Manuals reports that other effects of alcohol poisoning are lethargy and delirium.
