Alcohol Poisoning

Alcohol poisoning mainly affects people between the ages of 15 and 24, and is caused by drinking a large quantity of alcohol in a short time period. Binge drinking — drinking five or more drinks in a row — can sometimes cause alcohol poisoning. This is because drinking too much alcohol too fast can have a negative effect on your breathing, gag reflex and heart rate.

In some cases, the effects of alcohol poisoning can lead to a coma or death. This is why it's so important to be aware of alcohol poisoning effects and symptoms.

Alcohol Poisoning Symptoms

Two of the main symptoms of alcohol poisoning are nausea and vomiting, which are your body's way of telling you that you've consumed more alcohol than can be metabolized. Some other common symptoms of alcohol poisoning are:

• Blue or pale skin
• Confusion
• Difficulty waking up
• Hypothermia
• Irregular breathing
• Passing out
• Seizures.

If someone you know is experiencing these symptoms of alcohol poisoning, get help right away. If not treated promptly, alcohol poisoning can be deadly. If the person is unconscious, call 911. Don't assume that someone can simply "sleep off" alcohol poisoning, and don't leave an unconscious person alone.

Alcohol Poisoning Effects

Aside from the long-term health effects of heavy alcohol use — including cancer, heart problems, and liver disease — alcohol can have many short-term effects. Some common signs of excessive alcohol use are:

• Blurred vision
• Coordination problems
• Dehydration
• Depression
• Vomiting.

Serious cases of alcohol poisoning can cause the following:

• Asphyxiation, usually from choking on vomit or inhaling it into the lungs
• Brain damage
• Death
• Severe dehydration.

Alcohol Poisoning Risk Factors and Treatments

There are several risk factors associated with alcohol poisoning, including:

• Age: Teens and college students are most likely to binge drink. However, according to the Mayo Clinic, people between the ages of 45 and 54 are most likely to die from alcohol poisoning.
• Gender: Males are more likely to binge drink than females. However, women lack a particular enzyme in their stomachs, making them more vulnerable to alcohol's effects.
• Size and weight: The smaller you are, the more likely you are to experience alcohol poisoning, because your body absorbs alcohol more quickly.
• Drug use: Combining alcohol and drugs (including prescription drugs) can increase your chances of alcohol poisoning.

Despite the effects of alcohol and the many risk factors linked to this type of poisoning, there are treatments for alcohol poisoning. Support while your body gets rid of the alcohol is important in treatment. Some other common treatments are:

• Airway protection
• IV fluid
• Oxygen therapy.

Many common home remedies for excessive drinking, such as drinking black coffee, taking a cold shower or sleeping it off, are at best ineffective, or at worst dangerous. If someone you know is experiencing symptoms of alcohol poisoning, get help immediately.

Resources

About Alcohol Info. (n.d.). Effects of drinking alcohol. Retrieved May 2, 2010, from http://www.about-alcohol-info.com/Effects_of_Alcohol.html.

Alcohol Abuse Info. (n.d.). Alcohol abuse info. Retrieved May 2, 2010, from http://www.alcohol-abuse-info.com/.

Alcoholism Information. (n.d.). Alcoholism information. Retrieved May 2, 2010, from http://www.alcoholism-information.com/Alcohol_Poisoning_Symptoms.html.

HelpGuide. (n.d.). Alcoholism and alcohol abuse. Retrieved May 2, 2010, from http://helpguide.org/mental/alcohol_abuse_alcoholism_signs_effects_treatment.htm.

Mayo Clinic. (2008). Alcohol poisoning. Retrieved May 2, 2010, from http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/alcohol-poisoning/ds00861.