Health Sciences 1001A/B Chapter Notes - Chapter 15: Blood Alcohol Content, Cirrhosis, Alcoholic Hepatitis
15 Mar 2014
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Nature of alcohol: alcohol: intoxicating ingredient in fermented or distilled beverages; colourless, pungent liquid. Ethyl alcohol; ethanol=main ingredient; anything about 1. 1% Wine: fermentation- sugars from fruit react w/ yeast - > ethanol; 9-14% Excreted: 2-10% unchanged by liver, kidneys, sweat glands. Readily enters brain: chronic=lasting disruption of brain function/structure. Alcohol intake & blood alcohol concentration: bac: amount of alcohol in blood in terms of weight/volume; used as measure for intoxication. Sex: women (hormonal changes) > men (enzyme=4x as active) Immediate effects of alcohol: low concentrations: bac first felt=0. 03-0. 05% - > lightheadedness, relaxation, release of inhibitions, mild euphoria, more sociable, higher concentrations: interference w/ motor coordination, verbal performance, intellectual functions; 0. 1%=sleepy, senses reduced, 0. 2%=psychological/physical functioning; 0. 35% Sexual response: small conc. =decrease anxiety, high conc. =erectile dysfunction. Cause blood vessels near skin to dilate=warm feeling; flushing/sweating - > heat loss (internal body temp calls) Disturb normal sleep patterns, worsen sleep apnea (breathing disorder, air passage at back of mouth narrows/closes)
