Health Tips

Alcohol: Alcohol is most common recreational drug, it is CNS depressant. It is metabolized by liver and produces euphoria, relaxation and most people use it to relax themselves and to release daily life stresses. Alcohol intoxication can be lethal in moderate doses it is readily metabolized by liver with out any adverse effects but heavy intake results in life threatening symptoms with liver failure.

Symptoms: Loss of balance, abnormal gait, increased sense of well being, slurred speech, nausea, excessive vomiting, dehydration and red eyes and face. Acute alcohol poisoning can cause coma and death within short period of time. Respiratory rate is very much decreased in alcohol poisoning approx. less then eight breaths per minute.

(Normal respiratory rate is twenty breaths per minute). Respiratory depression cause cold clammy skin with blue extremities due to oxygen deprivation, it progresses to complete cessation of respiration, coma, and death.

Diagnosis: Blood alcohol levels are diagnostic of its overdose or poisoning and correlate with outcome.

Treatment: Goal of treatment is to stop respiratory depression and prevent choking or aspiration. Basic cardio respiratory support is given with endotracheal intubation with oxygen and artificial respiration, fluid replacement with electrolyte therapy, control of hypoglycemia and seizures are necessary. Hemodialysis is needed in severe cases, vitamin B12 or thymine supplementation is given to prevent neuronal damage.