Ethyl alcohol Health Dictionary

A colourless liquid, also called ethanol or ethyl-alcohol, produced by the fermentation of carbohydrates by yeast. Medically, alcohol is used as a solvent and an antiseptic; recreationally it is a widely used drug, taken in alcoholic drinks to give a pleasant taste as well as to relax, reduce inhibitions, and increase sociability. Taken to excess, alcohol causes much mental and physical harm – not just to the individual imbibing it, but often to their family, friends, community and work colleagues.

Alcohol depresses the central nervous system and disturbs both mental and physical functioning. Even small doses of alcohol will slow a person’s re?exes and concentration; potentially dangerous effects when, for example, driving or operating machinery. Drunkenness causes slurred speech, muddled thinking, amnesia (memory loss), drowsiness, erectile IMPOTENCE, poor coordination and dulled reactions – thereby making driving or operating machinery especially dangerous. Disinhibition may lead to extreme euphoria, irritability, misery or aggression, depending on the underlying mood at the start of drinking. Severe intoxication may lead to COMA and respiratory failure.

Persistent alcohol misuse leads to physical, mental, social and occupational problems, as well as to a risk of DEPENDENCE (see also ALCOHOL DEPENDENCE). Misuse may follow several patterns: regular but controlled heavy intake, ‘binge’ drinking, and dependence (alcoholism). The ?rst pattern usually leads to mainly physical problems such as gastritis, peptic ulcer, liver disease, heart disease and impotence. The second is most common among young men and usually leads to mainly social and occupational problems – getting into ?ghts, jeopardising personal relationships, overspending on alcohol at weekends, and missing days o? work because of hangovers. The third pattern – alcohol dependence – is the most serious, and can severely disrupt health and social stability.

Many researchers consider alcohol dependence to be an illness that runs in families, with a genetic component which is probably passed on as a vulnerable personality. But it is hard to disentangle genetic, environmental and social factors in such families. In the UK there are estimated to be around a million people suffering from alcohol dependence and a similar number who have di?culty controlling their consumption (together about 1:30 of the population).

Alcohol causes tolerance and both physical and psychological dependence (see DEPENDENCE for de?nitions). Dependent drinkers classically drink early in the morning to relieve overnight withdrawal symptoms. These symptoms include anxiety, restlessness, nausea and vomiting, and tremor. Sudden withdrawal from regular heavy drinking can lead to life-threatening delirium tremens (DTs), with severe tremor, hallucinations (often visual – seeing spiders and monsters, rather than the pink elephants of romantic myth), and CONVULSIONS. This must be treated urgently with sedative drugs, preferably by intravenous drip. Similar symptoms, plus severe INCOORDINATION and double-vision, can occur in WERNICKE’S ENCEPHALOPATHY, a serious neurological condition due to lack of the B vitamin thiamine (whose absorption from the stomach is markedly reduced by alcohol). If not treated urgently with injections of thiamine and other vitamins, this can lead to an irreversible form of brain damage called Korsako?’s psychosis, with severe amnesia. Finally, prolonged alcohol misuse can cause a form of dementia.

In addition to these severe neurological disorders, the wide range of life-threatening problems caused by heavy drinking includes HEPATITIS, liver CIRRHOSIS, pancreatitis (see PANCREAS, DISEASES OF), gastrointestinal haemorrhage, suicide and FETAL ALCOHOL SYNDROME; pregnant women should not drink alcohol as this syndrome may occur with more than a glass of wine or half-pint of beer a day. The social effects of alcohol misuse – such as marital breakdown, family violence and severe debt – can be equally devastating.

Treatment of alcohol-related problems is only moderately successful. First, many of the physical problems are treated in the short term by doctors who fail to spot, or never ask about, heavy drinking. Second, attempts at treating alcohol dependence by detoxi?cation or ‘drying out’ (substituting a tranquillising drug for alcohol and withdrawing it gradually over about a week) are not always followed-up by adequate support at home, so that drinking starts again. Home support by community alcohol teams comprising doctors, nurses, social workers and, when appropriate, probation o?cers is a recent development that may have better results. Many drinkers ?nd the voluntary organisation Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and its related groups for relatives (Al-Anon) and teenagers (Alateen) helpful because total abstinence from alcohol is encouraged by intensive psychological and social support from fellow ex-drinkers.

Useful contacts are: Alcoholics Anonymous; Al-Anon Family Groups UK and Eire (including Alateen); Alcohol Concern; Alcohol Focus Scotland; and Alcohol and Substance Misuse.

1 standard drink =1 unit

=••• pint of beer

=1 measure of spirits

=1 glass of sherry or vermouth

=1 glass of wine

Limits within which alcohol is believed not to cause long-term health risks:... alcohol

Alcohol dependence, or alcoholism, is described under ALCOHOL but a summary of the symptoms may be helpful in spotting the disorder. Behavioural symptoms vary but include furtiveness; aggression; inappropriately generous gestures; personality changes (sel?shness, jealousy, irritability and outbursts of anger); empty promises to stop drinking; poor appetite; scru?y appearance; and long periods of drunkenness.... alcohol dependence

A ?ammable, colourless liquid that is extremely volatile, and rapidly produces freezing of a surface when sprayed upon it. Now occasionally used to deaden pain for small and short operations, ethyl chloride was once used as an inhalant general anaesthetic for brief operations, and to induce ANAESTHESIA in patients in whom the anaesthesia is subsequently to be maintained by some other anaesthetic such as nitrous oxide or ether.... ethyl chloride

A worldwide, independent, self-help organization that is operated locally by people working on a voluntary basis to overcome alcohol dependence. Regular group meetings are held in which members are encouraged to help one another stay sober by sharing their experiences openly and offering support and advice.... alcoholics anonymous

See alcohol dependence.... alcoholism

An alternative name for methanol.... methyl alcohol

A disorder of newborn infants that is caused by the toxic effects on the growing FETUS of excessive amounts of alcohol taken by the mother. Low birth-weight and retarded growth are the main consequences, but affected babies may have hand and facial deformities and are sometimes mentally retarded.... fetal alcohol syndrome

Plant chemicals in the form of sterols and volatile oils such as pulegone in Pennyroyal. ... alcohols

Three to four daily drinks for several weeks result in increased fat in liver cells. Then comes alcoholic hepatitis, inflammation of the liver tissue and destruction of cells, degenerating into an irreversible state known as cirrhosis. Complications develop such as intestinal bleeding, fluid accumulation, kidney failure and death if not arrested in time. Alcoholism is compulsive drinking leading to dependence.

Alternatives: Teas. Hops, Angelica, German Chamomile, or Skullcap. 1 heaped teaspoon to each cup boiling water; infuse 5-15 minutes. 1 cup 3-4 times daily.

Tablets/capsules. Cramp bark, Black Cohosh, Valerian.

Formula. Equal parts: Cramp bark and Valerian. Dose – powders: 250mg, or one 00 capsule; liquid extracts: 15-30 drops; bark tinctures: 30-60 drops; in honey or water 3-4 times daily.

Cold infusion. 1 teaspoon Oak bark cut, in cup cold water. Infuse 1 hour. Dose: sips during the day. Tincture Cinchona, BPC (1949), 15-30 drops, 2-3 times daily.

Tincture Myrrh BPC (1973) 5-10 drops in half glass water 2-3 times daily.

Oil of Evening Primrose improves brain function in cases of withdrawal (Efamol Can Improve Alcohol Recovery, General Practitioner, p11, Sept 18, 1987).

Milk Thistle. Good responses observed. Dose: 80-200mg, thrice daily.

Chinese Medicine. Kudzu vine (Pueraria lobata) can effectively reduce the cravings of alcohol. The flowers are used in China for alcoholic poisoning. Used for reforming alcoholics. (Herbarium Dec 1993) Supplements. B-complex, A, C, E. Magnesium, Selenium, Zinc. For bone-loss of alcoholism: see: OSTEOPOROSIS.

Information. Alcoholics Anonymous, Stonebow House, Stonebow, York YO1 2NJ. ... alcohol abuse

The condition that results from consuming an excessive amount of alcohol, often over a relatively short period. The effects of a large alcohol intake depend on many factors, including physical and mental state, body size, social situation, and acquired tolerance. The important factor, however, is the blood alcohol level. Mild intoxication promotes relaxation and increases social confidence. Alcohol causes acute poisoning if taken in sufficiently large amounts, however. It depresses the activity of the central nervous system, leading to loss of normal mental and physical control. In extreme cases, intoxication may lead to loss of consciousness and even death.

In most cases, recovery from alcohol intoxication takes place naturally as the alcohol is gradually broken down in the liver. Medical attention is required if the intoxication has resulted in coma. For the chronic mental, physical, and social effects of long-term heavy drinking, see alcohol dependence and alcohol-related disorders.... alcohol intoxication

A wide variety of physical and mental disorders associated with heavy, prolonged consumption of alcohol.

High alcohol consumption increases the risk of cancers of the mouth, tongue, pharynx (throat), larynx (voice box), and oesophagus, especially if combined with smoking. Incidence of liver cancer, as well as the liver diseases alcoholic hepatitis and cirrhosis, is higher among alcoholics. High alcohol consumption increases the risk of cardiomyopathy, hypertension, and stroke. Alcohol irritates the digestive tract and may cause gastritis. Heavy drinking in pregnancy increases the risk of miscarriage and fetal alcohol syndrome. Alcoholics are more likely to suffer from anxiety and depression and to develop dementia.

Many alcoholics have a poor diet and are prone to diseases caused by nutritional deficiency, particularly of thiamine (see vitamin B complex). Severe thiamine deficiency, called beriberi, disturbs nerve function, causing cramps, numbness, and weakness in the legs and hands. Its effects on the brain can cause confusion, disturbances of speech and gait, and eventual coma (see Wernicke– Korsakoff syndrome). Severe thiamine deficiency can also cause heart failure.

A prolonged high level of alcohol in the blood and tissues can disturb body chemistry, resulting in hypoglycaemia (reduced glucose in the blood) and hyperlipidaemia (increased fat in the blood).

These may damage the heart, liver, blood vessels, and brain; irreversible damage may cause premature death.... alcohol-related disorders

Damage to the liver caused by excessive alcohol consumption.

The longer consumption goes on, the more severe the damage.

The initial effect is the formation of fat globules between liver cells, a condition called fatty liver.

This is followed by alcoholic hepatitis, and damage then progresses to cirrhosis.

Alcohol-related liver disease increases the risk of developing liver cancer.

Liver function tests show a characteristic pattern of abnormalities, and liver biopsy may be needed to assess the severity of damage.

There is no particular treatment, but abstinence from alcohol prevents further damage.

Treatment for alcohol dependence may be required.... liver disease, alcoholic

*hallucinations in the context of *alcoholism. They are usually shortlived *auditory hallucinations (‘hearing voices’). Although abstinence is the best remedy, they can persist beyond the active use of alcohol and are often difficult to treat (a recent review showed a dearth of data regarding all possible treatment options).... alcoholic hallucinosis

(FASD, fetal alcohol syndrome, FAS) a condition of newborn babies that results from the toxic effects on the fetus of maternal alcohol abuse. Babies have a low birth weight and growth is retarded. They have a small head (*microcephaly), low-set ears, eye, nose, lip, and nail abnormalities, and disturbances of behaviour and intellect. The greater the alcohol abuse, the more severe the fetal manifestations.... fetal alcohol spectrum disorder

a three-question tool designed to uncover any connection between an individual’s attendance at an A & E department and alcohol-related problems, thereby creating the potential for intervention and referral.... paddington alcohol test