Alcohol Poisoning Definition, Reason, Symptoms, Treatment & Prevention
Understanding
Alcohol poisoning is a condition that results from consuming large quantities of alcohol, whether intentional or not. Alcohol poisoning is both serious and deadly. This condition can affect breathing, heart rate, body temperature, and nervous disorders.
Alcohol can be consumed in the form of alcoholic beverages, or consumed by children in the form of household products that contain alcohol. This makes cases of alcohol poisoning easier to find in modern society due to its wide availability.
Symptom
Symptoms of alcohol poisoning include:
- Vomit
- seizures
- Looks confused and unfocused
- Slow and irregular breathing
- Bluish pale skin
- The body feels cold
- Sudden loss of consciousness (fainting)
Reason
Alcohol poisoning occurs as a result of drinking very large amounts of alcohol in a short time. For example, during betting or drinking games between young people.
This alcohol can be sourced from beverages, mouth rinses, food extracts, and some household products.
Diagnosis
Diagnosis of alcohol poisoning can be made through medical interviews, a history of drinking a liquid, and a physical examination.
This physical examination includes blood or urine tests to check blood alcohol levels. There is also a laboratory check to determine how severe the side effects of alcohol poisoning are.
Complications
If alcohol poisoning is not treated immediately, complications that may occur are:
- Stop breathing
- Severe dehydration
- seizures
- Low body temperature which can cause the heart to stop beating, brain damage, to death
Treatment
In conditions of alcohol poisoning, there is no first treatment that can be done at home. Because this condition is an emergency that requires monitoring and the assistance of medical devices to support the patient’s bodily functions so that death is avoided.
Treatments carried out by medical personnel in cases of alcohol poisoning are:
- Very careful monitoring.
- Prompt treatment of respiratory disorders.
- Administer oxygen, fluids, vitamins, and sugar solutions to prevent serious complications from alcohol poisoning.
For very severe alcohol poisoning, blood washing may be needed to remove toxins and harmful substances from the body. Thus, the disposal of alcohol can take place more quickly.
It should be noted that alcohol poisoning cannot be overcome by drinking black coffee, taking cold showers and sleeping. Precisely these things can be very dangerous.
Prevention
To prevent alcohol poisoning, it is highly recommended to pay attention to the following:
- Avoid consuming alcohol in excess.
- Avoid gambling games drinking a lot of alcohol.
- Avoid drinking alcohol on an empty stomach, and be wary of household products that contain alcohol.
When you suspect someone has alcohol poisoning, don’t delay getting them to the hospital. Because delay in treatment can be fatal.