Facts of Alcohol: Emergency Room Near You

Facts of Alcohol: Emergency Room Near You

Increasingly, alcohol seems to be readily available to folks out there and it is available for purchase in most stores in our neighborhoods. We know that it causes intoxication and that it can lead to addiction and even alcohol poisoning for those that take it regularly and in large amounts. We have also heard about some of its adverse effects to our bodies as far as our health is concerned, as well as some of the benefits it may have to us when taken in reasonable amounts. As far as its adverse effects go, we have also heard of the effects it has on the major organs of the body such as the liver, heart, brain among others, and how it can cause major problems to these organs, especially physiologically in terms of damage, and the long-term damage and health complications excessive consumption of alcohol can have on these organs over time. While there is a lot you may think you know about alcohol, there is also a lot more you probably didn’t know about it and that is where this article comes in. This is because it will look to highlight some of the facts about alcohol, some of them you may not have known, as well as the signs and symptoms that indicate you should go to an emergency room near you for alcohol poisoning.

One of the facts about alcohol is that it actually takes only 6 minutes for the brain to react to alcohol, which may be a lot shorter than you may have thought. There are also different types of alcohol and of all the types, only ethanol or ethyl can be consumed without causing serious damage to our bodies. This is the type of alcohol that is found in alcoholic beverages such as wine, spirits and beer, among others. Another fact about alcohol is that it is actually a depressant. What this means is that it when you consume it, it will slow down activity in your brain. Speaking of the brain and alcohol, it also has a number of effects especially in the brain when consumed. When you take alcohol, it usually triggers the release of dopamine in the brain, which is the neurotransmitter that is associated with pleasure and satisfaction and that is why when you drink alcohol you may get the feeling of happiness and probably why it is a major component of parties and celebratory ceremonies and get-togethers.

Another fact about alcohol is that, given that it leads to an increase in the uptake of another neurotransmitter known as GABA, it can also have a stress-relieving side effect. This is why folks drink alcohol when they are feeling stressed or sad. Another fact about alcohol is that it is processed in the liver, where it is broken down from ethanol to acetaldehyde and acetate which are less toxic to the body with the help of enzymes. This explains why excessive consumption of alcohol over time leads to one developing problems with their liver such as liver cirrhosis. Another fact about alcohol is that Alcohol Use Disorder, AUD, has a genetic component and that genes actually account for close to half of the risk as far as it is concerned. Speaking of AUD, 1 in 8 adults actually meet the criteria for it making alcohol one of the most commonly abused addictive substances out there. Another fact about alcohol is that long-term drinking of it is likely to have more adverse health effects on women than men even in cases where the woman drinks less alcohol and for a shorter period of time. Another fact about alcohol is that given it has been traced back to 7,000 to 6,600 B.C in China, it may be just as old as civilization. Yet another fact about alcohol is that it is absorbed faster in muscles than fat which goes to explain why people with more muscles and less body fat have a higher alcohol tolerance.

There are many other facts about alcohol, but we are going to shift gears and talk about alcohol poisoning which occurs when one consumes dangerous amounts of alcohol. This is potentially life-threatening as when one is suffering from alcohol poisoning, they may lose control of regular body functions, which is not the case for someone who is drunk. Some of the red flags to look out for in cases of alcohol poisoning include vomiting, seizures, choking, slurred or incoherent speech, extreme confusion, breathing that is shallow or slowed down, skin turning blue, body temperature that is lowered, as well as a loss of consciousness or an inability to wake up after passing out due to the drinking. If someone is presenting with any of these symptoms after drinking, you should take them to an emergency room near you as soon as possible. If they are choking, are not breathing, you are unable to wake them up or are having seizures, then you should call 911 as soon as possible.

The above are some of the facts about alcohol as well as signs that indicate alcohol poisoning where you should have the affected person taken to an emergency room near you as soon as possible and we hope this article will be of great help.

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