Negative effects of alcohol on digestion and gastrointestinal tract. Effects on the pancreas
Many people drink alcoholic beverages, and everyone understands that alcohol is harmful to the body. Of course, in small quantities it is not so dangerous, but if you drink it regularly, your health will be seriously affected. First of all, it has a negative impact on the gastrointestinal tract and cardiovascular system. But other organs also suffer, so alcohol consumption should be kept to a minimum. It is worth considering the effect of alcohol on the stomach, because the consequences are actually serious.
The effect of alcohol
Before considering how alcohol affects the stomach, it is important to understand the effects of alcohol in general. All people are aware that such drinks are harmful to health, but not everyone knows exactly how they affect the body. When alcohol gets inside, it begins to be absorbed into the blood through the walls of the intestines and stomach. First of all, it affects red blood cells, which are responsible for the content of carbon dioxide and oxygen in tissues.
If we turn to medicine, it will become clear that red blood cells, which are covered with a thin layer of lubricant, carry a negative charge. They repel each other and move in a chaotic manner. And alcohol removes the necessary lubrication, and because of this they begin to stick together. Next, the red blood cells are converted into flakes, and then into lumps, if the intoxicating drink continues to enter the body. And if you consider that the vessels of the brain are small in diameter, then it becomes obvious that lumps get stuck in them and lead to oxygen starvation. As a result, parts of the brain gradually die.
After drinking a large amount of alcohol, a person moves away from reality. Because of this, he can commit rash acts, or even feel beyond his abilities. But this has many negative health consequences. Of course, the influence of alcohol is not limited to this. An alcoholic can never boast good condition the body, as all organs are destroyed, including the gastrointestinal tract. And the more and more often you drink, the worse a person becomes.
Let's note what's happening strong impact on the heart. If a person has any disease of this organ, it will get worse. And if not, then there is a high probability that it will arise. Even death is possible, so it is better not to risk your health. Only at first it seems that the strong drink has only a positive effect. But in reality this is absolutely not the case.
Action on the gastrointestinal tract
The effect of alcohol on the intestines and the gastrointestinal tract in general is quite detrimental. The condition of many organs deteriorates, so it should be understood that the stomach of an alcoholic simply cannot function normally. Let's start with the fact that this organ produces a substance such as mucin. It protects its walls from harmful effects junk food. Alcohol blocks this function, and the organ gastrointestinal tract becomes defenseless. But modern man consumes a lot of unnatural products, which are harmful in their own way.
Even if the body is young, negative effect it still appears quite brightly.
The stomach begins to age quickly and loses its ability to function normally. Because of this, other problems arise. For example, angina pectoris occurs and blood vessels weaken. As you can already understand, the effect of alcohol on the gastrointestinal tract is quite extensive. If a person often drinks alcohol, then even after drinking normal food is in poor condition:
- lethargy is observed;
- makes you sleepy;
- Even loss of orientation is possible.
This is all typical for individuals who already completely lack mucin. A weakened stomach is vulnerable to many diseases. Gastritis and ulcers often form. And this already negatively affects the quality of life. It might even appear cancer which will lead to death.
Regular consumption of strong alcohol destroys the walls of the stomach.
And the intensity of harmful changes depends on many factors. The strength of the drink, the amount drunk, and the initial state of health play a key role. A change in the structure of intestinal cells is possible, as alcohol leads to a deficiency of folic acid. This leads to many nutrients, such as glucose and sodium, are poorly absorbed.
Another negative effect is a violation of the secretion of the gastric glands, which secrete juice. Mucus forms in the organ, but it cannot digest food. Because of this, there is a deterioration in metabolism with all that it entails. If we talk about the pancreas, it also does not remain indifferent. Under the influence of alcohol, it stops producing insulin in the amount that is needed. And this is a direct path to diabetes.
To drink or not to drink?
You can understand people who find it difficult to give up alcohol, because it allows you to relax, forget about problems for a while, and feel happier. But this has many negative consequences that should not be forgotten. Of course, everyone can decide for themselves whether to drink strong drinks or not. But it is still recommended to give up alcohol, because spoiled health is no longer possible to restore.
In general, we can conclude that alcohol leads to the appearance or exacerbation of gastritis, stomach ulcers and even oncology. It also worsens all chronic ailments that a person already has. If you drink regularly and a lot, then it is possible. A person has the power to prevent this, and to do this, you just need to give up the bad habit.
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Alcohol - it has become so firmly established in the everyday life of Russians and all residents of Russia that, according to many, not a single holiday can do without it. And we have many holidays throughout the year. But alcohol is not so dangerous when you have abused this drink a couple of times during the year; chronic alcoholism is dangerous when alcohol is consumed daily in toxic doses. A bottle of beer, a couple of glasses of vodka or a glass of wine every day is already a toxic dose of alcohol for most people. If alcohol consumption is within the toxic dosage for a long time, imperceptible but catastrophic changes occur in all systems and organs. This process is all the more insidious because you can long time don't feel.
The problem is not only that life expectancy is decreasing - the problem is that the quality of life is decreasing. A person who consumes at least a bottle of beer daily is in a state of chronic alcoholism. All organs work with increased load, therefore it is observed chronic fatigue, inability to concentrate on work, increased irritability. With chronic alcoholism, the range of interests and aspirations of a person is narrowed to the range of interests of a primitive animal, to something more nervous system, the broken will and decline in spiritual strength of such a person are no longer capable.
However, not only the people themselves who consume excessive alcohol are at risk, but also those around them. Increased irritability, altered psyche and spiritual impotence lead to the fact that life in a family next to such a person becomes unbearable. Conceiving a child from such a mother or from such a father is dangerous due to the high risk of giving birth to a defective child. And raising children in such a family is a daily crime.
Considering all of the above, we can come to the conclusion that by consuming alcohol you are voluntarily, consciously and boldly plunging yourself into the voluntary slavery of vice. For the ghostly illusion of alcoholic ecstasy, this addiction will rob you of every last thread, push you into a series of troubles and failures, and deprive you of joy. real life, opportunities for spiritual development. It’s not so much physical death that is scary as the regret that “life didn’t go that way...”.
The effect of alcohol on the liver |
| All the alcohol that you consumed as part of the blood from the stomach and intestines enters the liver. The liver does not have time to neutralize such an amount of alcohol. There is a disturbance in the metabolism of carbohydrates and fats; as a result of this disturbance, liver cells are deposited a large number of fats, which after some time completely fill the liver cells. As a result of this fatty degeneration, liver cells die. In the case of massive death of liver cells, liver tissue is replaced with scar tissue - this pathology is called Cirrhosis of the liver. Among all patients with liver cirrhosis, 50-70% were caused by chronic alcoholism. Cirrhosis of the liver, with inadequate treatment, in most cases leads to the formation of malignant liver tumors - liver cancer. |
Effect of alcohol on the heart |
| The heart continuously works throughout life. At the same time, the alcohol load leads to the fact that it is forced to work under the active toxic effects of alcohol and alcohol breakdown products. Both ethanol itself and its breakdown products have a significant damaging effect on the heart muscle. Systematic consumption of alcohol leads to deposits on the surface of the heart. adipose tissue. This fat restricts the work of the heart, prevents it from filling with blood when relaxing, and significantly increases energy costs during work. The effect of alcohol on the vessels of the heart leads to disruption of blood flow in them. Over time, these changes will certainly lead to a heart attack. |
The effect of alcohol on the brain |
| The brain is a collection of nerve cells that are connected to each other by processes like wires. Alcohol from the blood penetrates into the fluid that washes the brain (cerebrospinal fluid), into the very substance of the brain in the blood. By having a toxic effect on brain cells, alcohol slows down the processes of nerve impulses, causing swelling and inflammation. With prolonged consumption of alcohol, the toxic effect increases significantly - processes of death of nerve cells are started in the brain, the brain decreases in size, mental abilities, the ability to remember and assimilate information suffer. Brain dysfunction can be explained by behavioral symptoms: increased aggressiveness or depression, increased emotionality or apathy. In some cases, alcoholism leads to changes in consciousness with the appearance of visual, tactile, and sound hallucinations. This condition is medically called withdrawal or delirium tremens. |
The effect of alcohol on the pancreas |
| When drinking alcohol, the functioning of the entire digestive system is disrupted. Digestive enzymes are not required to break down alcohol, but the burning and irritating effect of alcohol on the mucous membranes of the mouth, esophagus and stomach promotes the active production of digestive enzymes by the pancreas. This excess amount of digestive enzymes eventually begins to digest the digestive gland tissue itself. In the case of sudden massive self-digestion, acute pancreatic necrosis develops (in most cases, the outcome of this condition is death, diabetes and disability), In the case of a gradual increase in self-digestion, acute pancreatitis develops and becomes chronic with periodic exacerbations. |
The effect of alcohol on the esophagus |
| Regular consumption of strong types of alcohol leads to a chemical burn of the esophageal mucosa. All the food we consume passes through the lumen of the esophagus. At chemical burn mechanical impact leads to an increase in the area and depth of the defect - an esophageal ulcer is formed. The wall of the esophagus is enveloped like a mesh with large esophageal veins and arteries. If the mucosal defect deepens, perforation of one of these vessels is possible and active internal bleeding requires urgent medical attention. These bleedings are extremely dangerous and can lead to the death of the patient. |
The effect of alcohol on the stomach and intestines |
| After entering the stomach, alcohol has an irritating effect on the mucous membrane. As a result of this irritation, the glands of the gastric mucosa actively secrete digestive enzymes and hydrochloric acid. However, alcohol does not stay in the stomach for a long time, passing through in transit into the small intestine, leaving the stomach full of aggressive gastric juice. Strong alcohol changes the properties of gastric mucus, which protects the gastric mucosa from damage by gastric juice. Therefore, alcohol contributes to damage to the gastric wall. Damage to the stomach wall leads to gastritis and stomach ulcers or duodenum. |
The effect of alcohol on conception |
Alcohol and the expectant mother |
| Alcohol is carried through the bloodstream to all human tissues and organs. Alcohol also affects the ovaries of women and the testicles of men. It is worth noting that all a woman’s eggs are formed and laid in the ovaries at birth - they are in the ovaries. Throughout life, as a result of each ovulation, one in 3,000 eggs enters the fallopian tube for possible conception. Every time a woman drinks alcohol, each of the eggs receives a certain dose of alcohol. As a result of this toxic lesion, some of the eggs are irreversibly damaged. Perhaps one of these damaged cells will give birth to your baby. |
Alcohol and the future dad |
| The effect of alcohol on sperm formation is even more detrimental. The effect of alcohol on the testicles leads to the formation of ugly forms of sperm - with two flagella, with molded heads, motionless forms, etc. But the main threat lies not in the external form of the sperm, but in the damaged genetic material, which will serve as instructions for building the child’s body during intrauterine development. |
Diseases develop in every person. Alcoholism has been the scourge of humanity for decades. Despite its harmful effects on the body, the level of sales of alcohol-containing products increases every year.
Statistics show that last year In Russia, 10,000 people died suddenly from it.
Alcohol and health
Scientists have found that this addiction is the cause of many different diseases, including:
This is just a short list of serious disorders that are associated with frequent drinking. Scientists are still conducting research to find out what other consequences this destructive habit can have.
Alcohol is the cause of many serious diseases. It causes neurological disorders, disrupts the functioning of internal organs and leads to toxic poisoning.
The most severe consequences develop in people who are dependent not only on alcohol, but also on smoking.
The effect of ethyl alcohol on the gastrointestinal tract
At excessive consumption alcoholic products irreversible processes occur in the body that impair the functioning of all internal organs and in particular digestive tract.
Alcoholism is one of the most common reasons emergence peptic ulcer 
stomach and intestines. In the first stages, gastritis begins to develop, reducing the secretion of gastric juice and disrupting the process of food digestion. Without proper treatment, the patient has a high risk of developing ulcerative dyspepsia. One of its symptoms is sharp pain in the abdominal area and the appearance of ulcerative colic.
Ethyl alcohol is a poison, after consumption of which the breakdown products of alcohol are absorbed by the intestinal walls, irritating its mucous membrane. This leads to severe disturbances in its functioning, weakening, frequent cramps, ulcerative dyspepsia and ultimately ends in the formation of cancerous tumors.
At the same time, against the background of severe alcohol abuse, the formation of duodenal ulcer may begin, accompanied by severe symptoms. The presence of this disorder most often requires surgical intervention and subsequent recovery diet.
After treatment for ulcerative dyspepsia is completed, the patient should absolutely not drink any alcohol-containing drinks, as this can cause serious harm to the fragile body.
What role does alcohol play in heart disease?
Ethyl alcohol is the strongest cellular poison, since its molecules easily penetrate into the cell and poison it with metabolites from the inside.
Penetrating into the blood, ethanol remains in it for a long time, its harmful effects affect the internal organs, and especially the heart muscle.
After taking a dose of alcohol, the heartbeat accelerates to 100-120 beats per minute. Ethanol destroys the electronic charge of red blood cells, causing them to stick together. This causes the appearance of red blood cell balls that cannot easily move through the capillaries, clogging them. Almost all organs at this time suffer from a lack of oxygen, including heart tissue.
A lack of oxygen leads to the accumulation of toxins, fat and waste products. This state of affairs leads to the development of such serious heart defects: 
- Atherosclerosis;
- Hypertension;
- ischemic disease.
If a person immediately stops drinking alcohol, then over a period of time the body can completely restore normal heart function.
Excessive drinking of alcohol significantly increases the risk of arrhythmia and cardiomyopathy, the symptoms of which can lead to heart attack and cardiac arrest. Statistics say that more than half of the cases of atrial fibrillation encountered by emergency doctors are associated with an overdose of ethyl alcohol. Patients with acute alcohol intoxication develop the so-called “bull heart” syndrome.
Ischemic cardiomyopathy is directly related to excessive consumption of alcoholic beverages. Ethanol disrupts the absorption of B vitamins, which are necessary for the proper functioning of the heart, sensory organs and nervous system. Surveys drinking people showed that they have a serious arrhythmia and dilation of the heart cavities.
If any disorder of the cardiovascular system is detected, you should absolutely not drink strong drinks, even in small quantities.
Since it can cause serious damage to health and provoke the appearance of ischemia.
Effects on the pancreas
In addition to the risk of ulcerative dyspepsia, drinkers have an increased risk of pancreatic dysfunction. This organ produces an important hormone - insulin, which regulates the process of sugar metabolism in the human body. If for some reason the supply of insulin is reduced, the patient begins to experience a change in glucose tolerance, which is fraught with the premature onset of diabetes mellitus. 
Another common ailment of this organ is gallstone colic. She is accompanied formation of stones in the gall bladder and tract. Moving along the channels, the stones provoke acute attack
After the first manifestations of symptoms of gallstone colic (abdominal pain, nausea, loss of appetite), you should immediately seek medical help. medical assistance. Treatment cholelithiasis accompanied by strict diet, which completely eliminates the reception strong drinks and eating fatty foods.
Despite this, scientists conducted a study where it was noted that a small dose of alcohol can serve as a preventive measure for gallstone colic. This is due to the fact that ethanol increases the secretion of bile, which promotes the emptying of the gallbladder and its new filling. This process prevents the formation of stones and reduces the risk of developing gallstone colic by 40%.
To prevent this disease, you can drink 50 ml of wine or 30 grams of cognac daily. However, it must be remembered that such preventive measures apply to people who do not have gallstone disease and do not suffer from liver, heart or kidney diseases.
Liver and kidney disorders
The main impact after taking a dose of strong drinks is taken by the liver. It is in the liver that the breakdown of alcohol occurs, the products of which are eliminated from the body through the kidneys, respiratory organs and intestines.
Regular consumption of large doses of strong drinks has a detrimental effect on the functioning of the liver and its ability to cleanse the blood of toxins. The organ becomes defenseless and loses the ability to restore its own cells. This leads to fatty degradation of the liver and the development of severe consequences. Dead cells begin to be replaced connective tissue, which can ultimately lead to cirrhosis of the liver.
If a patient suffers from cholelithiasis, then he should not drink alcohol-containing drinks, even in small quantities, as this contributes to additional intoxication of the liver.
Kidneys are natural filters in our body. When a person starts drinking alcohol, 
poisonous substances enter his blood, a considerable part of which must be filtered by the kidneys. With long-term consumption of strong drinks, kidney dystrophy may occur, leading to acute renal failure.
At the same time, against the background of alcoholism, chronic kidney diseases can worsen, accompanied by severe symptoms and sometimes organ failure. In addition, people who abuse alcohol may develop urolithiasis, the symptom of which is acute pain in the kidney area.
People suffering from kidney disease should not drink alcoholic beverages. This ban in particular applies to beer, which has a detrimental effect on the kidneys of even a healthy person.
Development of Parkinson's disease
This disease is accompanied by a disorder of the nervous system and changes in the functioning of the brain. Parkinson's disorder is chronic and there are several main causes for its development.
It is believed that Parkinson's symptoms occur after previous infections. In addition, we can conclude that Parkinson’s symptoms appear due to alcoholism, as numerous studies confirm this. Also, the cause of Parkinson's may be: 
- Bad ecology;
- Malignant brain tumors;
- Injuries that provoked a violation of the central nervous system;
- Impaired blood supply to the brain.
Ethyl alcohol has harmful effects throughout the entire body, including the brain. After Parkinson's is detected, you should not drink alcohol, as it destroys brain cells and neurons, provoking irreversible processes. Constant drinking of alcohol in the presence of Parkinson's will increase the symptoms of the disease, turning the patient's life into a painful nightmare.
At the same time, a group of scientists concluded that people who drink moderate amounts of beer are less susceptible to developing Parkinson's. However, this hypothesis does not apply to other alcoholic beverages.
The effects of alcohol and smoking on the body
Penetrating into the body, ethanol enters the blood and then reaches the lungs. There it irritates the mucous membrane and destroys lung tissue. If the lungs are already exposed to the effects of smoking, then they become vulnerable to the onset of serious diseases such as asthma and tuberculosis.
After smoking, a deposit of nicotine tar is formed on the lung tissue, which can be considered one of the main causes of cancer development. People who become dependent on smoking are at risk of developing chronic bronchitis, pneumosclerosis and emphysema.
Smoking products can cause increased blood pressure and constriction of blood vessels. This, in turn, reduces blood flow to the brain and can cause hypoxia. People addicted to smoking often suffer from headaches and memory loss. 
Cigarette smoke released during smoking contains ammonia, which reacts with tears and irritates the eyes. If a burning sensation is felt in the eyes after exposure to smoke, this indicates an inflammatory process.
The simultaneous effects of alcohol and smoking on the body are many times more harmful than using these substances separately.
Ailments caused by alcoholism affect the functioning of the joints, provoking the development of gout. In fact, it is a type of joint disease associated with the deposition of urinary salts. Gout spreads throughout the body, from the joints of the fingers to the tips of the toes.
Addiction to drinking and smoking causes irreparable damage to health. Every year thousands of people die from intoxication and side effects this destructive addiction. Parkinson's disorder, diseases of the kidneys, liver, joints and heart, the development of peptic ulcers and cholelithiasis - this is not a complete list of ailments accompanied by alcohol abuse. Scientists conduct hundreds of studies every year to find out what other health problems heavy drinking can cause. By reducing alcohol intake to a minimum, you can significantly improve your health and prolong your life.
All materials on our site are intended for those who care about their health. But we do not recommend self-medication - each person is unique, and without consulting a doctor you cannot use certain means and methods. Be healthy!
– a disease in which there is physical and mental dependence on alcohol. It is accompanied by an increased craving for alcohol, an inability to regulate the amount of alcohol consumed, a tendency to binge drinking, the occurrence of a pronounced withdrawal syndrome, decreased control over one’s own behavior and motivations, progressive mental degradation and toxic damage to internal organs. Alcoholism is an irreversible condition; the patient can only completely stop drinking alcohol. Drinking the slightest dose of alcohol, even after a long period of abstinence, causes a breakdown and further progression of the disease.
General information
Alcoholism is the most common type of substance abuse, mental and physical dependence on ethanol-containing drinks, accompanied by progressive personality degradation and characteristic damage to internal organs. Experts believe that the prevalence of alcoholism is directly related to the increase in the standard of living of the population. In recent decades, the number of patients with alcoholism has been growing; according to WHO, there are currently about 140 million alcoholics in the world.
The disease develops gradually. The likelihood of alcoholism depends on many factors, including mental characteristics, social environment, national and family traditions, as well as genetic predisposition. Children of people suffering from alcoholism become alcoholics more often than children of non-drinking parents, which may be due to certain character traits, hereditary metabolic characteristics and the formation of a negative life scenario. Non-drinking children of alcoholics often show a tendency towards codependent behavior and form families with alcoholics. Treatment of alcoholism is carried out by specialists in the field of addiction medicine.
Ethanol metabolism and addiction development
Main component alcoholic drinks– ethanol. Small quantities of this chemical compound are part of natural metabolic processes in the human body. Normally, the ethanol content is no more than 0.18 ppm. Exogenous (external) ethanol is quickly absorbed in the digestive tract, enters the blood and affects nerve cells. Maximum intoxication occurs 1.5-3 hours after drinking alcohol. When taking too much alcohol, it occurs vomiting reflex. As alcoholism develops, this reflex weakens.
About 90% of alcohol consumed is oxidized in cells, broken down in the liver and excreted from the body in the form of metabolic end products. The remaining 10% is excreted unprocessed through the kidneys and lungs. Ethanol is eliminated from the body within approximately 24 hours. In chronic alcoholism, intermediate products of the breakdown of ethanol remain in the body and have a negative effect on the activity of all organs.
Development mental dependence in alcoholism is due to the effect of ethanol on the nervous system. After drinking alcohol, a person feels euphoria. Anxiety decreases, self-confidence increases, and communication becomes easier. Essentially, people are trying to use alcohol as a simple, affordable, fast-acting antidepressant and stress reliever. As a “one-time help”, this method sometimes really works - a person temporarily relieves tension, feels satisfied and relaxed.
However, drinking alcohol is not natural and physiological. Over time, the need for alcohol increases. A person, not yet an alcoholic, begins to drink alcohol regularly, without noticing gradual changes: an increase in the required dose, the appearance of memory lapses, etc. When these changes become significant, it turns out that psychological dependence is already combined with physical, and it is very difficult or almost impossible to stop drinking alcohol on your own.
Alcoholism is a disease closely related to social interactions. On initial stage people often drink alcohol due to family, national or corporate traditions. In a drinking environment, it is more difficult for a person to remain sober, as the concept of “normal behavior” shifts. In socially prosperous patients, alcoholism may be due to a high level of stress at work, the tradition of “washing” successful deals, etc. However, regardless of the root cause, the consequences of regular alcohol consumption will be the same - alcoholism will arise with progressive mental degradation and deterioration of health.
Consequences of drinking alcohol
Alcohol has a depressant effect on the nervous system. Initially, euphoria occurs, accompanied by some excitement, a decrease in criticism of one’s own behavior and current events, as well as a deterioration in coordination of movements and a slower reaction. Subsequently, excitement gives way to drowsiness. When taking large doses of alcohol, contact with the outside world is increasingly lost. There is progressive absent-mindedness in combination with a decrease in temperature and pain sensitivity.
The severity of motor impairment depends on the degree of intoxication. In case of severe intoxication, severe static and dynamic ataxia is observed - the person cannot maintain vertical position body, his movements are highly uncoordinated. Control over the activity of the pelvic organs is impaired. When taking excessive doses of alcohol, weakened breathing, cardiac dysfunction, stupor and coma may occur. Possible death.
In chronic alcoholism, typical damage to the nervous system is observed due to prolonged intoxication. During recovery from binge drinking, delirium tremens may develop ( delirium tremens). Somewhat less frequently, patients suffering from alcoholism are diagnosed with alcoholic encephalopathy (hallucinosis, delusional states), depression and alcoholic epilepsy. Unlike delirium tremens, these conditions are not necessarily associated with abrupt cessation of drinking. In patients with alcoholism, gradual mental degradation, a narrowing of the range of interests, disorders of cognitive abilities, decreased intelligence, etc. are revealed. late stages alcoholism, alcoholic polyneuropathy is often observed.
TO typical violations from the gastrointestinal tract include pain in the stomach, gastritis, erosion of the gastric mucosa, as well as atrophy of the intestinal mucosa. Possible acute complications in the form of bleeding caused by stomach ulceration or violent vomiting with ruptures of the mucous membrane in the transitional section between the stomach and esophagus. Due to atrophic changes in the intestinal mucosa in patients with alcoholism, the absorption of vitamins and microelements worsens, metabolism is disrupted, and vitamin deficiencies occur.
In alcoholism, liver cells are replaced by connective tissue, and liver cirrhosis develops. Acute pancreatitis that occurs due to alcohol intake is accompanied by severe endogenous intoxication and may be complicated by acute renal failure, cerebral edema and hypovolemic shock. Mortality at acute pancreatitis ranges from 7 to 70%. Characteristic disorders of other organs and systems in alcoholism include cardiomyopathy, alcoholic nephropathy, anemia and immune disorders. Patients with alcoholism have an increased risk of developing subarachnoid hemorrhages and some forms of cancer.
Symptoms and stages of alcoholism
There are three stages of alcoholism and prodrome - a condition when the patient is not yet an alcoholic, but regularly drinks alcohol and is at risk of developing of this disease. At the prodrome stage, a person willingly drinks alcohol in company and, as a rule, rarely drinks alone. Alcohol consumption occurs in accordance with the circumstances (celebration, friendly meeting, fairly significant pleasant or unpleasant event, etc.). The patient can stop drinking alcohol at any time without suffering any consequences. unpleasant consequences. He has no desire to continue drinking after the event is over and easily returns to normal sober life.
First stage of alcoholism accompanied by increased craving for alcohol. The need to drink alcohol resembles hunger or thirst and is exacerbated in unfavorable circumstances: during quarrels with loved ones, problems at work, an increase in the overall level of stress, fatigue, etc. If a patient suffering from alcoholism fails to drink, he becomes distracted and cravings for alcohol. temporarily reduced until the next unfavorable situation. If alcohol is available, a patient with alcoholism drinks more than a person at the prodrome stage. He tries to achieve a state of pronounced intoxication by drinking in company or drinking alcohol alone. It is more difficult for him to stop, he strives to continue the “holiday” and continues to drink even after the end of the event.
Characteristic features of this stage of alcoholism are the extinction of the gag reflex, aggressiveness, irritability and memory loss. The patient takes alcohol irregularly; periods of absolute sobriety may alternate with isolated cases of drinking alcohol or be replaced by binges lasting several days. Criticism of one’s own behavior is reduced even during the period of sobriety; a patient with alcoholism tries in every possible way to justify his need for alcohol, finds all sorts of “worthy reasons,” shifts responsibility for his drunkenness to others, etc.
Second stage of alcoholism manifested by an increase in the amount of alcohol consumed. A person drinks more alcohol than before, and the ability to control the intake of ethanol-containing drinks disappears after the first dose. Against the backdrop of a sharp cessation of alcohol, withdrawal syndrome: tachycardia, increased blood pressure, sleep disturbances, trembling of fingers, vomiting when taking liquids and food. The development of delirium tremens, accompanied by fever, chills and hallucinations, is possible.
Third stage of alcoholism manifested by decreased tolerance to alcohol. To achieve intoxication, a patient suffering from alcoholism only needs to take a very small dose of alcohol (about one glass). When taking subsequent doses, the condition of the patient with alcoholism practically does not change, despite the increase in the concentration of alcohol in the blood. There is an uncontrollable craving for alcohol. Alcohol consumption becomes constant, the duration of drinking bouts increases. If you refuse to take ethanol-containing drinks, delirium delirium often develops. Mental degradation is noted in combination with pronounced changes internal organs.
Treatment and rehabilitation for alcoholism
Prognosis for alcoholism
The prognosis depends on the duration and intensity of alcohol intake. At the first stage of alcoholism, the chances of recovery are quite high, but at this stage patients often do not consider themselves alcoholics, so they do not seek help. medical care. In the presence of physical dependence, remission for a year or more is observed in only 50-60% of patients. Narcologists note that the likelihood of long-term remission increases significantly if the patient actively desires to stop drinking alcohol.
The life expectancy of patients suffering from alcoholism is 15 years less than the population average. Reason fatal outcome typical chronic diseases and acute conditions become: delirium delirium, stroke, cardiovascular failure and cirrhosis of the liver. Alcoholics are more likely to have accidents and commit suicide more often. Among this population group, there is a high level of early disability due to the consequences of injuries, organ pathology and severe metabolic disorders.
1. Introduction
The effect of alcohol on the body
Changes in the condition and functioning of the gastrointestinal tract
First aid for alcohol poisoning
Conclusion
alcohol stomach alcohol esophagus
Introduction
Almost no holiday in our country is complete without alcohol. Drinking on the occasion of a big purchase, wishing all the best to the hero of the occasion, the advent of the New Year are so closely associated in people's minds with alcoholic beverages that there is a general opinion that one cannot do without the participation of alcohol. Rest and good mood are also almost not perceived by the consciousness of many separately from a bottle of beer or cognac with a barbecue. This is the most dangerous effect of alcohol - psychological. The universal worship of the green serpent does not even allow the thought that alcohol is a poison that affects all organs and systems human body.
Alcohol - main factor catastrophic population decline in Russia. IN modern Russia Alcohol abuse leads to the premature death of about half a million people every year. Every fourth death in Russia is directly or indirectly related to alcohol - about 30% of deaths among men and 15% among women. Alcohol mortality includes not only accidental alcohol poisoning, but also 2/3 of deaths from accidents and violence, 1/4 of deaths from cardiovascular diseases and much more. In recent decades, the life expectancy of men has never reached the level of 1964, when, for the only time in the entire history of Russia, it exceeded 65 years. At current mortality rates, only 42% of twenty-year-old men have a chance of living to sixty. The mortality rate is especially high among the younger generation of men from 15 to 30 years old - 3.5 times higher than among women at this age.
The text of the official GOST 18300-72 contains a direct indication that ethyl alcohol refers to potent drugs that first cause excitement and then paralysis of the nervous system.
It is the stimulating influence of ethanol that determines the effect of the intoxicant on the state of those who drink a glass of vodka or a glass of wine. for the mood.
The effect of alcohol on the body
WITH medical point vision alcohol intoxication- This acute poisoning. Poisoning, as strange as it may seem, with ethyl alcohol.
Alcohol, like any other generally toxic poison, has an irreversible effect on the health of any person. At the same time, it is sometimes quite difficult to systematize these changes - they can be so diverse. The manifestation and severity of these changes depend on the duration and intensity of the effects of alcohol on the body, and also to a large extent on the individual characteristics of the person. Hereditary predisposition matters, as well as the age at which alcohol consumption began.
Poisonous effect ethyl alcohol on the body is explained primarily by the fact that when interacting with the lipids that make up cell membranes, it changes their permeability. This leads to the fact that some substances necessary for cell activity (calcium, magnesium and others) and enzymes do not get to where they are needed at this moment. Their deficiency negatively affects the work of the cells that make up a particular organ, and the work of the organ itself.
At the same time, alcohol increases the permeability of the blood-brain barrier, allowing substances in the blood to penetrate the brain. Among these substances are the alcohol itself, its toxic products formed during incomplete decomposition, and a whole set of other alcohols that are part of fusel oils and are present in almost every alcoholic drink.
When interacting with amino acids, from which the body builds proteins (hormones and enzymes), ethanol forms esters, depriving the body of some of the necessary building material and blocking protein synthesis.
Due to its chemical structure alcohol actively interacts with water, taking it away from any tissues of the body. As a result, their dehydration occurs and normal metabolism is disrupted.
The intoxicating effect of alcohol is due to the fact that when it decomposes in the liver, an even more toxic substance, acetaldehyde, is formed. When it enters the blood and interacts with hormones (norepinephrine, dopamine and others), hallucinogenic and psychotropic compounds are formed. This causes the characteristic initial stage intoxication euphoria, leading in large doses to alcoholic psychosis and delirium.
The toxic effect of alcohol begins the moment it enters the body. After 30-60 minutes, the entire simultaneously taken amount of poison will be in the blood, organs and tissues. Largest quantity alcohol is concentrated in the brain, a little less of it reaches the lungs, spleen, kidneys and liver. Only 5-10% is excreted unchanged from the body. total number alcohol The rest is included in metabolic processes, providing your harmful influence for the entire body as a whole.
Repeatedly absorbed alcohol accumulates in the blood and is carried throughout the body by the blood stream, reaching every cell. Alcohol disrupts the permeability of cell membranes, inhibits biologically active compounds, primarily enzymes, and reduces the absorption of oxygen by tissues. Thus, the conditions of the internal environment of the body sharply worsen. The effect of alcohol on the body resembles a change in the biocenosis of a river as a result of the flow of chemical waste into the river: the inhabitants aquatic environment they begin to suffocate and die, and the plants on the banks wither. This comparison is also justified because human body 2/3 consists of water. Nerve cells and blood vessels in the brain are especially sensitive to alcohol. The drinker's face and whites of the eyes turn red as a result of dilation of the blood vessels of the skin, eyes and brain. At the same time, their regulatory capabilities are sharply disrupted, and the blood supply to the brain begins to lose its rhythm. Systematic intake of alcohol reduces activity immune system, which is why alcoholics get sick more often and more severely. They are one and a half times more likely to develop respiratory diseases; 45-70% of those suffering from alcoholism have gastrointestinal disorders. Alcohol “burns” the mucous membrane of the mouth, esophagus, stomach, intestines, then inflammation of the mucous membrane of these organs occurs, chronic gastritis, chronic colitis). The liver is the first to take the blow of alcohol - it processes it. In this regard, alcoholics develop severe liver damage - alcoholic hepatitis, cirrhosis of the liver. In about a third of people who drink alcohol, their sexual function, “alcoholic impotence” occurs. In women under the influence of alcohol, their ability to bear children is also reduced. In youth, alcoholism is more severe and more difficult to treat.
Changes in the condition and functioning of the gastrointestinal tract
Ethanol entering the body affects all organs and tissues. The central nervous system, cardiovascular and digestive tracts are most susceptible to the effects of poison. This is explained by the fact that, first of all, alcohol molecules react precisely with substances in the cells of these organs: being absorbed and processed in the gastrointestinal tract, entering the blood and with its current into the heart and brain.
Fig. 1 Gastrointestinal tract.
Changes begin already in the oral cavity, where alcohol suppresses secretion and increases the viscosity of saliva. An alcoholic's teeth are destroyed for many reasons - suppression of the immune system, poor diet, and sloppiness.
Due to the fact that protective mechanisms are inhibited, alcoholic esophagitis (inflammation of the esophagus) develops. The swallowing process is disrupted - food begins to be thrown from the stomach into the esophagus. This is due to the effect of alcohol on the esophageal sphincters. Heartburn and vomiting are inevitable companions of an alcoholic. Veins of the esophagus dilate during chronic ethanol poisoning ( varicose veins veins of the esophagus), their wall becomes thinner and there comes a moment when the veins burst at the time of vomiting and severe bleeding begins. Emergency only surgery saves the patient in this case. But more often death occurs before the patient is taken to the surgeon.
Considering the known toxic properties of alcohol and the fact that almost the first organ with which alcohol comes into contact is the esophagus, it is logical to assume a direct toxic effect of ethanol on the esophageal mucosa. Prolonged contact of ethanol with the mucous membrane of the esophagus can lead to the development of alcoholic esophagitis. The development of alcoholic esophagitis can be caused not only by the toxic effect of alcohol, but also by a decrease in the secretion of the salivary glands with prolonged alcohol abuse, which has protective properties for the esophageal mucosa.
Another important area of the pathogenic effect of ethyl alcohol on the esophagus is a violation of its motility. Moreover, this violation can be diverse. Some patients who abuse alcohol have difficulty swallowing, which may be clinically accompanied by dysphagia. A more common effect of alcohol on esophageal motility is disruption of the normal functioning of the lower esophageal sphincter, of a different nature. Insufficiency of this sphincter is often observed, which can lead to the development of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). In patients who abuse alcohol for a long time, the opposite disorder is possible - an increase in the tone of the lower esophageal sphincter, which may be accompanied by a corresponding clinical symptoms. Another common and important disorder of the motor function of the esophagus is a decrease in peristalsis, namely a decrease in the amplitude and frequency of peristaltic waves. This causes a violation of the so-called esophageal clearance - a protective mechanism based on increased peristalsis of the esophagus in response to gastroesophageal reflux, which allows refluxed contents to be sent back to the stomach. Thus, decreased esophageal clearance is also an important prerequisite for the development of GERD.
Fig.2 Classification of gastroesophageal reflux disease.
Back in the 60s of the last century, studies appeared indicating an increased risk of esophageal cancer with alcohol abuse. According to some authors, up to 50-75% of esophageal tumors may be associated with alcohol consumption. A combined analysis of more than 200 studies looked at the effect of alcohol consumption on cancer risk various localizations Alcohol has been found to increase the risk of cancer the most oral cavity, pharynx, esophagus and larynx. One epidemiological study noted that mortality from cancers of the oral cavity, pharynx, esophagus and larynx was strongly associated with levels of alcohol consumption over the previous 20 years. A meta-analysis showed a 30% increase in the risk of developing esophageal cancer with daily alcohol intake Alcohol increases the risk of developing both squamous cell carcinoma esophagus and esophageal adenocarcinoma, but mostly squamous cell carcinoma. A dose-dependent pathogenic effect of alcohol is noted. Many studies have found that the risk of developing esophageal cancer increases with a combination of alcohol abuse and smoking, and, on the contrary, it decreases with an increase in the diet of vegetables and fruits. One of the likely explanations for the effect of alcohol on the development of esophageal cancer is the carcinogenic effect of acetaldehyde, a metabolite of ethanol. As is known, ethanol begins to be metabolized into acetaldehyde already in the oral cavity under the influence normal microflora oral cavity (especially with poor oral hygiene), which leads to a significant increase in the content of acetaldehyde in saliva. A similar increase in the concentration of acetaldehyde in saliva is also observed during smoking. When swallowing, salivary acetaldehyde enters the pharynx, esophagus, and stomach, being a dose-dependent local carcinogen. Rare, but dangerous manifestation a possible pathogenic effect of alcohol on the esophagus is the possibility of the appearance of linear ruptures of the mucous membrane of the esophagus in the area of the esophagogastric junction (Mallory-Weiss syndrome), which is possible due to severe vomiting in response to alcohol intoxication, especially against the background of alcoholic esophagitis.
Pancreas.
Alcohol abuse is one of the factors causing diseases pancreas. The effect of alcohol on the pancreas has a direct toxic effect, since it does not have enzymes to break down alcohol. Alcohol is one of the causes chronic pancreatitis.
The pancreas is the second largest organ in humans. It performs important functions in digestive system, produces hormones and enzymes necessary to convert food into useful substances. Once in the blood, alcohol causes spasm of the gland ducts. Accordingly, enzymes do not enter the duodenum, but are retained in the ducts and cause inflammation. Enzymes accumulate, stagnation occurs, and the iron is destroyed.
Fig.3
It turns out that the pancreas is not capable of breaking down alcohol. When it enters the pancreas with the blood, it causes a spasm of its ducts. In this case, the enzymes do not pass further into the intestines, where they should participate in the digestion of food, but accumulate and “digest” the gland from the inside. Alcohol, once in the pancreas, promotes the formation of protein plugs (calcium can be retained in them), hence the appearance of stones in this organ. As a result, the gland swells, inflammation begins, and then rotting, which leads to pancreatitis and pancreatic necrosis. As you know, these diseases are deadly. By the way, alcohol itself damages the gland, especially acetaldehyde (its breakdown product). As a result, acute alcoholic pancreatitis develops.
Since some pancreatic cells die under the influence of alcoholic beverages, patients are often diagnosed with diabetes.
Autopsies of young people (about 30-40 years old), who during their lifetime very actively consumed alcohol, particularly wine, for a long period, show significant changes in this organ.
As a rule, if a person has a damaged pancreas, he feels severe pain. Some people experience intermittent pain, while others experience constant pain. Pain in the pancreas intensifies during meals, as well as after it. By the way, if you lean forward while sitting, the pain will subside. The following symptoms pancreatitis is: nausea and repeated vomiting(which, by the way, does not bring relief), diarrhea, belching, loss of appetite, flatulence.
Doctors have calculated that over the past 15 years, the number of cases of diseases caused by alcohol abuse has doubled. Moreover, scientists have established: the stronger the alcoholic beverages, the more severe the damage.
Fig.4
The effect of alcohol on the stomach is very insidious. The walls of the stomach have three membranes: the internal mucosa, then the muscular one and, finally, the serous layer that covers it on top. The inner mucous membrane contains glands that consist of parietal, chief and mucoid cells. Parietal cells secrete hydrochloric acid, chief cells secrete pepsin, and mucoid cells secrete mucus. .
Hydrochloric acid is actively involved in digestion; it prepares plant and animal fiber for further digestion. In addition, it neutralizes microbes that have entered the stomach. IN acidic environment under the influence of pepsin, protein breakdown begins, ending in the small intestines under the influence of the pancreatic enzyme - trypsin and the small intestinal enzyme - enterokinase. It should be added that hydrochloric acid stimulates the release of pancreatic enzymes, which are important for the digestion of proteins, fats and carbohydrates.
In addition, the stomach of a healthy person produces a special enzyme - gastromucoprotein, called “intrinsic factor”. It interacts with the “external factor” - vitamin B coming from food. The resulting product is absorbed in the intestines and deposited mainly in the liver. From here it periodically enters the bloodstream and acts on the bone marrow, stimulating hematopoiesis. Alcoholic drinks burn the mucous membrane of not only the mouth and tongue, but also the esophagus and stomach. Inflammatory changes in the esophagus and stomach from rare exposure to alcohol are minor and disappear quickly. However, for those who drink frequently, especially strong alcoholic drinks - vodka, cognac, alcohol - the inflammatory process becomes chronic and affects the entire gastric mucosa. Initially, as a result, a lot of acidic gastric juice is released. Patients complain of heartburn, sour belching and discomfort in epigastric region. If they stop abusing alcohol during this period, they can be completely cured. However, in those who continue to drink, the inflammatory process takes over more and more groups of gastric glands. Their cells gradually atrophy, their number sharply decreases or their secretion stops altogether. of hydrochloric acid. And over time, less pepsin and “ internal factor" As a result, in particular, normal hematopoiesis is disrupted. Patients complain about constant pain in the epigastric region, rotten burp, nausea and vomiting in the morning (“morning vomiting of alcoholics”).
When there is little hydrochloric acid in the gastric juice, and even more so when it disappears, food that is not neutralized from bacteria can cause inflammation of the small and large intestines (enteritis, enterocolitis). The digestion process worsens even more if the amount of pepsin decreases. In such cases, insufficiently digested food containing many microbes contributes to the development inflammatory process. It can subsequently spread from the small intestines to the large intestines. Then patients begin to complain of periodic diarrhea alternating with constipation.
Alcohol, which is essentially alcohol, is an excellent disinfectant. By coming into direct contact with mucous membranes, alcohol kills not only harmful microorganisms and bacteria, but also has a detrimental effect on bacteria that aid in digestion and absorption useful substances by the human body. With a single dose of alcohol, erosive or hemorrhagic gastritis occurs. Alcohol abuse leads to anacid gastritis. This type of gastritis is caused by the death of glandular cells that die under the burning influence of alcoholic beverages. These cells are responsible for the production of gastric juice. As a rule, all mucous membranes have a high regenerative ability. But when frequent use alcohol they do not have time to renew themselves, getting more and more burns. .
Long-term alcohol intake often causes the development of peptic ulcers, which differ severe course and frequent exacerbations.
Violation digestive function stomach with alcoholic gastritis is manifested by changes in stool. During the period of heavy drinking and immediately after it, patients experience diarrhea. There is often an alternation of diarrhea and constipation.
The result is atrophy of stomach cells, disruption of food digestion, absorption nutrients, stomach bleeding, stomach ulcers and stomach cancer develop. Changes in the stomach are found in 95% of alcoholics.
Gallbladder.
Fig.5
Drinking alcohol stimulates the production of bile by liver cells. From the liver according to numerous bile ducts it enters the gallbladder, which is a kind of bile reservoir. When food enters the gastrointestinal tract, the walls of the gallbladder contract with simultaneous relaxation of its sphincter, which promotes the flow of bile into the lumen of the duodenum and ensures adequate digestive processes.
When drinking alcohol, on the contrary, the sphincter spasms, causing bile to accumulate in the gallbladder. This leads to overstretching of its walls, stagnation of bile, which is a risk factor for the development of gallstone disease<#"260" src="doc_zip6.jpg" />Fig.6
Connective tissue cords deform the liver lobules, the architecture of the vascular bed changes, and the liver capacity decreases. The blood begins to stagnate in blood vessels stomach, esophagus, intestines, pancreas: preconditions are created for rupture of the walls of blood vessels and internal bleeding.
The liver affected by cirrhosis ceases to be “the body’s most faithful guardian.” Its functional potential drops sharply, which leads to various pathological changes metabolism, digestion, blood circulation, because these complex life processes of the body are directly dependent on the activity of the liver.
Studies have shown that when the liver is damaged by cirrhosis, protein metabolism is disrupted<#"304" src="doc_zip7.jpg" />
Fig. 7 Endoscopic picture of severe erosive duodenitis in an alcoholic.
As a result of the effect of alcohol on the mucous membrane of the duodenum and small intestine, the production of its own intestinal enzymes that provide membrane hydrolysis (lactase, sucrase, maltase, alkaline phosphatase, intestinal ATPase). Insufficient lactase production can manifest as dairy intolerance. The mechanisms of active transport from the intestine to the blood of monomers (glucose, amino acids), vitamins, and microelements are disrupted. As a result, alcoholics experience weight loss and signs of hypovitaminosis. In particular, with prolonged alcohol abuse, a deficiency of folate and vitamins B1 and B12 develops. Severe thiamine deficiency in the body of alcoholics can lead to Wernicke's encephalopathy and Korsakoff's psychosis. Insufficient absorption of vitamin B12 may cause peripheral degeneration spinal cord. Due to impaired fat absorption, a deficiency of fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, K) is possible. Iron reserves in the body decrease. Reduced absorption of vitamin D and calcium contributes to the development of alcoholic osteopathy. In the formation of malabsorption syndrome in alcoholics, a violation of cavity digestion due to a decrease in exocrine insufficiency of the pancreas and liver due to damage by ethanol takes part.
With acute and chronic alcohol abuse, the synthesis of intestinal triglycerides and cholesterol increases, and the activity of enzymes responsible for esterification increases. fatty acids. An increase in the flow of triglycerides, cholesterol and phospholipids into the lymph may contribute to the development of fatty infiltration of the liver.
Since alcohol is primarily absorbed in the duodenum and small intestine, its presence in the colon is due to its absorption from the blood. In the colon, some ethanol is broken down by bacterial alcohol dehydrogenase to form acetaldehyde. The latter is then oxidized to acetate in the colon by bacterial aldehyde dehydrogenase. Acetaldehyde can also be metabolized in the liver when it enters it from the colon through the portal vein.
Thus, with alcohol abuse, functional and organic changes in the intestines. However, their severity depends on the frequency and dose of alcohol consumed. Among the possible clinical manifestations Those who abuse alcohol are more likely to experience diarrhea, weight loss, and manifestations of hypovitaminosis. With a complete cessation of alcohol consumption, a reverse development of morphological and functional changes in the intestines, the disappearance of the clinical manifestations caused by them.
First aid for alcohol poisoning
Primary signs. .
How to recognize alcohol poisoning early stage? First characteristic features often give way to a deterioration in the person’s condition, but it is quite difficult to recognize them at home - at first the patient’s behavior can be confused with ordinary severe intoxication.
A painful shine appears in the eyes, blood vessels often burst in the whites, providing the so-called “bullish look”;
Work intensifies sebaceous glands, appears heavy sweating and the effect of cold sweat;
The patient has severe tremors, fever and chills;
Aggressive or overly cheerful behavior is replaced by sudden lethargy and drowsiness;
Protective reactions from the digestive tract: nausea, severe vomiting, often with an admixture of bile, abdominal pain, stool disturbances;
Dizziness, loss of consciousness and respiratory functions;
Increased salivation and lacrimation;
Difficulty in movement and muscle weakness.
Alcohol poisoning should not be perceived as a mild phenomenon, since during the listed symptoms the patient may develop paralysis of the respiratory or motor center, cardiac arrest and alcoholic coma. Help for any suspicious signs is important and should be provided quickly. Treatment severe poisoning alcohol is most often performed on an outpatient basis, therefore, during the first resuscitation procedures, you need to call an ambulance as quickly as possible.
First aid.
First of all, if you discover alcohol poisoning in a person, you need to call emergency help. Waiting for her should not be wasted. Need to take a number necessary measures to alleviate the patient’s condition and try to remove some of the poisons from the body.
The most effective first aid is to lavage the patient's stomach. To do this, the victim is induced to vomit. The patient should drink soda solution or boiled water with the addition of potassium permanganate. It is necessary to help him by irritating the tongue with a finger or spoon. Extreme care should be taken to ensure that the patient's vomit does not enter his or her Airways, causing suffocation. It is necessary to give his body a horizontal position and turn his head to the side. Inducing vomiting prevents further absorption of alcohol toxins into the blood, and prevents the development of coma from a pre-comatose state;
Holding the patient's tongue, you should collect mucus from his tongue and mouth using a medical bulb;
First aid may involve the patient drinking plenty of fluids. However, treatment in this way is not always appropriate; if breathing and swallowing reflex are impaired, the victim may choke on liquid;
If the patient stops breathing, resuscitation should be undertaken by cleaning the mouth and performing artificial respiration. If the pulse slows down, the patient should be given an injection of cordiamin under the skin;
If you lose consciousness, you need to ensure immediate blood flow to the vessels of the brain. To do this, rub quickly and intensively ears sick;
Alcohol poisoning leads to excessive vasodilation in the victim. Heat leaves the body very quickly. Therefore, when providing assistance, you need to wrap the patient in a warm blanket or put warm woolen clothes on him;
To stimulate cardiac work, first aid may include: indirect massage hearts. If a person does not know how to properly perform massage manipulations, he should massage the tip of the nose, the areas under it and lower lip. Irritation of active points stimulates cardiac activity and breathing;
First aid for alcohol poisoning must certainly be accompanied by access to oxygen for the patient. It is necessary to loosen tight clothing, unbutton the collar, and also ensure the room is ventilated, even in winter time. If possible, it is better to move the patient to Fresh air.
Alcohol poisoning implies severe intoxication of the body. Therefore, first aid at home must be followed by treatment in a hospital setting in order to thoroughly cleanse the patient’s body of toxins and poisons that poison life. important organs. Outpatient treatment may consist of a set of measures aimed at detoxifying the body; in severe cases, after transferring the patient to the hospital, resuscitation measures follow.
Prevention.
The best prevention- DO NOT drink at all!
Do not drink alcohol on an empty stomach.
Do not drink alcohol in large doses.
Do not drink alcohol if you have diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, overwork, or lack of nutrition.
Do not drink alcohol while taking medications (antidepressants, sleeping pills, painkillers).
Eat a large meal before drinking alcohol.
Have a snack after drinking alcohol.
Try not to combine different alcoholic drinks.
Try to take alcoholic drinks in increasing degrees.
Do not drink low-quality alcoholic beverages.
Conclusion
Alcoholism is a disease caused by the systematic consumption of alcoholic beverages, characterized by a pathological attraction to them, the development of mental (irresistible attraction) and physical dependence (the appearance of withdrawal syndrome when cessation of use). In cases of long-term progression, the disease is accompanied by persistent mental and somatic disorders.
This problem has become especially relevant for our country in the last 10 - 15 years, when, in connection with political and economic reforms, the number of patients with this disease has increased sharply. According to VTsIOM (the All-Russian Center for the Study of Public Opinion), every Russian, including women and children, drinks 180 liters of vodka every year. The whole society suffers from this, but first of all, the younger generation is at risk: children, adolescents, young people, as well as the health of expectant mothers. After all, alcohol has a particularly active effect on an unformed organism, gradually destroying it. The harm of alcohol is obvious. It has been proven that when alcohol enters the body, it spreads through the blood to all organs and adversely affects them, even to the point of destruction. With systematic alcohol consumption, a dangerous disease develops - alcoholism. Alcoholism is dangerous to human health, but it is treatable, like many other diseases.
But the main problem is that most of the alcoholic products produced by non-state enterprises contain large amounts of toxic substances. Poor quality products often lead to poisoning and even death. All this causes great damage to society and its cultural values.
The problem of alcoholism is extremely urgent for our country. The etiology and mechanisms of the disease require additional study. As you know, it is easier to prevent a disease than to treat it; therefore, in addition to treating the disease, which is currently ineffective (up to 80% of relapses), it is necessary to eradicate the causes of this problem. A relatively simple way out of this situation would be to radically increase the prices of alcoholic beverages, which would reduce their availability. And some doctors, speaking about alcoholism, wanted to advise: “everything is fine - if in moderation.”
List of used literature
Anisimov L.N. Prevention of drunkenness, alcoholism and drug addiction among young people. Moscow, “Legal Literature”, 1998.
Babanyan E.A., Pyatov M.D. Prevention of alcoholism. Moscow, “Medicine”, 2000
Degtyareva I.I. Diseases of the digestive system. - K.: Demos, 2000.
Yu.V. Linevsky, K.Yu. Linevskaya, K.A. Voronin. Donetsk State Medical University. M. Gorky EFFECTS OF ALCOHOL ON THE INTESTINES Specialist's Handbook
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