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25 Cards in this Set
- Front
- Back
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What is alcohol?
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-an organic compound with a hydroxyl group (OH)
-alcohols end in -ol -alcohol is an ideal solvent (it can easily penetrate cell barriers; i.e. blood-brain barrier) -once inside a cell, it destroys protein structures -used as disinfectants and antiseptics -ethanol (alcohol we drink) is made from fermentation of sugars) |
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How digestive system processes alcohol
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-alcohol is a toxin and stomach irritant
-does not require digestion prior to absorption -small alcohol molecules are absorbed through the stomach wall (presence of food reduces this absorption) -too much consumption of alcohol --> vomiting - |
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Alcohol and water balance in body
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-alcohol is a diuretic
-it suppresses the excretion of anti-diuretic hormone -it increases urine output -loss of water and important minerals and vitamins |
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Alcohol and the brain (at different BAC levels):
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BAC:
0.05 = judgement impaired 0.10 = emotional control impaired 0.15 = muscle coordination and reflexes impaired 0.20 = vision impaired 0.30 = drunk, lacking control 0.35 = in a stupor 0.50-0.60 = loss of consciousness/death *in fact passing out is a safety mechanism to prevent us from drinking further to the point of disrupting autonomic functions (breathing, heart rate, etc.) |
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Alcohol and the liver:
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-the liver metabolizes alcohol
-alcohol dehydrogenase (breaks down ~80%+ of alcohol in the body) -MEOS is thought to break down 10% -10% is excreted through the breath and urine -the more alcohol consumes, the longer the waiting time for the liver to process.. the longer alcohol circulates in the body |
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Alcohol and gender:
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-Alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH.. not to be confused with anti-diuretic hormone): women have less in their stomach than males... therefore woman absorb 1/3 more alcohol than males do
(also alcoholics have less ADH in their stomach, and so do people who are fasting) |
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Alcohol's long term effects:
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-fetal damage
-toxic to cardiac and skeletal muscle -raises blood pressure -brain cell destruction -Cirrhosis -Cancer (breast, mouth, throat, esophagus, rectum, lungs) -bladder, kidney, and pancreatic damage -bone deterioration/osteoporosis -brain disease, CNS damage, strokes -testicles and adrenal glands deteriorate -type 2 diabetes -Males: feminization and impotence -impaired memory and balance -increased risk of death -malnutrition -non-viral hepatitis -severe psychological depression -skin rashes and sores -ulcers and inflammation of the stomach and intestines |
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CAGE
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-questions to ask to see if you have a problem with drinking:
C-cut down: has anyone ever suggested you cut down on your drinking A-annoyed: have people annoyed you by criticizing your drinking? G-guilt: ever felt bad or guilty about your drinking? E-eye-opener: ever had an eye-opener to steady nerves in the morning? *if you answer "yes" to ANY of the questions then you HAVE a drinking problem |
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You shouldn't drink if....
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-you are a child or adolescent
-you have an empty stomach -if you can't restrict your drinking to moderate levels (alcoholics) -women who are pregnant, may become pregnant, or are breast-feeding -if you plan to drive -if you are taking medications that could possibly interact with alcohol -people with certain medical conditions (i.e. liver disease) -if you are alone |
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Binge drinking is defined as...
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4 drinks for females
6 drinks for males |
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Drinking slowly vs Drinking quickly
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-drinking slowly: the liver collects and processes alcohol without its having an effect on other parts of the body
-drinking quickly: some alcohol bypasses the liver and flows through the brain and the rest of the body |
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Myths about alcohol:
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-a shot of alcohol warms you up (actually dilates blood vessels driving core temp down but making skin feel warm)
-wine and beer are mild and don't lead to addiction (its not what you drink, its how much) -mixing drinks is what gives you a hangover (its about the quantity you drink, not what you combine) -alcohol is a stimulant (it is actually a depressant) -alcohol is legal, therefore it is not a drug (alcohol alters body functions and is medically defined as a depressant drug) |
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Stages of liver deterioration:
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->fatty liver (fat deposits cause liver enlargement)
->fibrosis (scarring of the liver begins) ->Cirrhosis (growth of connective tissue destroys liver cells) (reversible until you get Cirrhosis) |
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Alcohol and immune system:
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alcohol depresses production of immune system proteins
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Alcohol's effect on blood lipids:
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-speeds up synthesis of blood lipids
-increases triglyceride concentrations -increases HDL concentrations |
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Alcohol and body acidity:
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-increases acid burden and interferes with uric acid metabolism
-> leads to Gout |
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Alcohol's effects on reproductive systems:
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Women: infertility and spontaneous abortion
Men: suppression of testosterone secretion |
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The fattening power of alcohol:
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-the body preferably will store fat and use alcohol for energy
-promotes fat storage in central abdominal area "beer belly" -7 calories per gram of alcohol |
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The hangover (causes and treatment)
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Causes:
-formaldehyde produced from ethanol -enzymes that would normally break down formaldehyde would rather break down acetaldehyde (produced from the breakdown of ethanol) Treatments: -Time -Fluid Replacement |
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Alcohol's effect on nutrition:
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more alcohol --> less food consumes --> less likely to consume adequate nutrients
-alcohol provides 'empty calories' (no nutrition) -stomach cells over-secrete acid and histamine -intestinal cells fail to absorb B-vitamins, etc. -liver cells lose efficiency in activating vitamin D and alter production and secretion of bile -Vitamin A: rod cells process alcohol instead of retinol; liver cells suffer a reduced capacity to process and use vitamin A -kidney excretion of minerals increase |
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Wernicke-Korsakoff Syndrome
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-thiamin deficiency from chronic alcoholism
-paralysis of eye muscles, poor muscle coordination, impaired memory, damaged nerves -may respond to treatment with thiamin supplements |
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Alcohol and folate deficiency:
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-excess alcohol promotes folate excretion, inhibits its absorption, and interferes with its action
-consequences include the build up of a compound involved with many diseases |
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Nutrient deficiencies from alcohol
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-night blindness
-Beriberi -Pellagra -Scurvy -Protein-energy malnutrition |
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Health benefits from alcohol use?
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-young people have no benefit, they increase risk of death (car crashes, increased breast cancer risk, etc)
-1-2 drinks a day reduces the risk of those over age 60 who have an increased risk of heart disease (more alcohol than this increases the risk of heart disease) -wine has resveratrol (antioxidant properties) -high potassium in wine (and grape juice) which can help lower blood pressure -de-alcoholized version of wine is preferred because both facilitate absorption of potassium, calcium, phosphorus, and zinc but the alcoholized version also promotes excretion of these minerals |
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Alcohol and appetite:
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-alcohol usually reduces appetite
-individuals who are tense, unable to eat, or are elderly, may improve appetite with small doses of wine |
