«*» RUKHSANA«*» <>_<>Alcohol <>_<>

 

 

<>_<>Alcohol <>_<>

THIS MONTH - Alcohol Awareness

Alcohol is the most commonly used drug

When alcohol is used in moderation it is relatively safe, but excess usage can

cause you physical damage and expose you and others to unnecessary risks.

Learn the difference between safe and unsafe drinking and plan how to have

fun and minimize the risks to you and others.

88 percent of recorded adult alcohol consumption is spirit based (source WHO).

Alcohol misuse kills more than 2.5 million people every year.

One third die from injuries:

• Accidental injuries: Car crash, fall, drowning, etc

• Intentional injuries: Homicide, suicide, etc.

Two thirds die from disease caused by alcohol:

• Liver, brain, heart, cancer, pancreas, etc.

Alcohol consumption causes more than 60 types of disease and injury.

Source: World Health Organization.

Drinking and health: worldwide

 

 

Links to other resources

World Health Organization

Alcohol facts

http://www.who.int/topics/alcohol_

drinking/en/

US Centers for Disease Control and

Prevention

Alcohol and Public Health

http://www.cdc.gov/alcohol/index.htm

 

 

Healthy bites

Below are some

tips for using

alcohol wisely:

Drink in

moderation:

Women - not more

than one drink a day

Men - not more than

two drinks per day

• The drug is ethyl alcohol (ethanol)

• Alcohol is made when yeast, sugars or starches are fermented.

• Alcohol affects every organ in your body.

• Alcohol is a depressant - it slows your brain. This can affect your:

• Perceptions

• Emotions

• Decision-making ability

• Movement, vision, hearing

These changes are called INTOXICATION

Some facts about alcohol

Mouth Stomach and small intestine Absorbed into blood

Alcohol is quickly absorbed from the stomach and small intestine. The blood stream takes

the alcohol to every organ. The effects are at fi rst most obvious on your brain (intoxication

/ drunkenness). As the amount in your blood increases, so does your level of intoxication /

drunkenness.

The amount of alcohol circulating in your blood is called your "Blood Alcohol

Content" (BAC).

Alcohol gets into your blood

The liver removes alcohol from the blood

The liver removes alcohol from the blood and can 'clear' about one serving of

alcohol per hour.

Alcohol consumption per hour Effect on "Blood Alcohol Content"

a) More than one serving

b) One serving

c) Less than one serving

Increases

Remains steady

Decreases

Drink less: set daily

and weekly limits,

drink slowly, space the

drinks out, alternate

alcohol drinks with

non-alcohol drinks

Eat before you drink,

and while drinking

Consider avoiding

alcohol if you are

already tired.

© International SOS, 2011, All rights reserved. Unauthorized copy or distribution prohibited.

Alcohol Awareness - Page 2

Test Your Knowledge

1. Of all of the organs in the body, alcohol only affects the liver.

True / False

2. Alcohol affects your perception, emotions, decision-making,

vision and movement.

True / False

3. The liver can clear three servings of alcohol in an hour.

True / False

4. Occasional heavy drinking does not cause any health effects.

True / False

5. You can safely leave someone which has been drinking

heavily and is unconscious as long as they are lying face up.

True / False

Answers: 1.F 2.T 3.F 4.F 5.F

This newsletter has been developed for educational

purposes only and is correct at the time of publication.

It is not a substitute for professional medical advice.

Should you have any questions or concerns about any

topic in this newsletter, please consult your medical

professional.

Alcohol and organ damage

Alcohol affects every organ in your body. There are many effects of longterm

alcohol abuse. The more someone drinks, the higher the risk. BUT

even occasional heavy drinking can damage health.

The liver

• Fatty liver, alcoholic hepatitis, cirrhosis (cannot be reversed, often

fatal) and liver cancer risk increased

The brain and nervous system

• Brain damage / brain shrinkage, seizures / epilepsy, memory loss,

coordination problems and mental illness

The cardiovascular system

• High blood pressure, stroke, heart failure, heart attack, weakened

heart muscle and high cholesterol

Cancer

• Increases the risk of many cancers including: mouth / throat / voice

box / esophagus / liver / colon / breasts

Alcohol abuse and alcoholism

The term alcohol abuse usually means any pattern of

drinking that causes harm to health, relationships, or

quality of life.

Some signs of alcohol abuse:

• Failure to fulfi ll major responsibilities at work, school,

or home.

• Drinking in dangerous situations, such as drinking

while driving.

• Legal problems related to alcohol.

• Continued drinking despite relationship problems that

are caused (or worsened by) drinking.

Alcoholism is a term used when there is physical or

psychological dependence on alcohol. Some signs of this

chronic disease:

• "Needing" a drink (strong cravings).

• Inability to limit drinking.

• Feeling guilty about drinking, hiding the behavior.

If you or someone you know has an alcohol problem,

help is available.

When someone you know is

intoxicated

If someone…..

• Vomits

• Passes out

• Cannot balance

• Slurs their speech

• Is short of breath

• Has an abnormal body temperature

….these are signs their body cannot handle the alcohol in

their system.

• Do not give them more alcohol

• Find a quiet place to sit and relax

• Offer beverages and food (to make them more

comfortable, but this will not 'get them sober')

• Watch for signs of alcohol poisoning

MEDICAL EMERGENCY:

Alcohol poisoning can be fatal

Do not leave an intoxicated person alone if they…..

• Will not wake up

• Their skin is cold/clammy/unusually pale

• Have a blue look to their lips or nails

• Are breathing slowly or irregularly

• Vomit without waking up

…..they may have alcohol poisoning.

• Call for medical help

• Keep trying to wake the person up

• Turn on their side to prevent choking on vomit

• Monitor their breathing closely

Alcohol may have some positive health

effects

The relationship between alcohol consumption and cardiovascular

diseases is complex.

Studies are underway to see if it might:

• Reduce heart disease risk

• Decrease chances of dying of a heart attack

• Lessen risk of some strokes

These benefi ts are possibly seen with light to moderate drinking only. If

someone uses alcohol more heavily, the risks - including heart and stroke

risks outweigh any benefi ts.