32 - Alcohol

Question 1

What enzyme breaks down alcohol

Answer 1

Alcohol dehydrogenase

Question 2

Distribution of alcohol

Answer 2

• Distributed throughout all of the water-containing components of the body
• The less a person weighs, the smaller the water content and the more they are affected
• Fat contains less water than muscle, those with higher fat percentage will be more affected
• Woman made up of less water so are more affected

Question 3

Mechanism of action of alcohol

Answer 3

• A central nervous system depressant
• Direct effects on cardiac muscle, thyroid tissue and hepatic tissue.
• Metabolic effects (Hypoglycaemia)

Question 4

Metabolic effects

Answer 4

• Hypoglycaemia occurs secondary to ethanol’s inhibition of gluconeogenesis
• Metabolic acidosis compounded by respiratory failure
• Hypothermia

Question 5

Physical consequences of alcohol consumption

Answer 5

• Nausea and vomiting
• Impaired judgement (slow response time)
• Memory loss
• Blurred vision
• Loss of balance
• Inhibition of breathing
• Alcohol poisoning
• Coma, death

Question 6

Long term alcohol damage

Answer 6

• Depression, anxiety
• Sexual problems (impotency)
• Organ damage

Question 7

Cardiovascular system organ damage

Answer 7

Hypertension, myocardial damage

Question 8

Liver organ damage

Answer 8

fatty liver, inflammation, necrosis, fibrosis, cirrhosis, liver failure, cancer

Question 9

Stomach organ damage

Answer 9

Inflammation and bleeding

Question 10

Pancreas organ damage

Answer 10

Pancreatitis

Question 11

CNS organ damage

Answer 11

Neuronal damage, dementia, tremors, stroke

Question 12

Endocrine system

Answer 12

Problems with blood sugar control, loss of libido, reduced fertility

Question 13

Organs affected by alcohol

Answer 13

Cardiovascular system, Liver, stomach, pancreas, CNS, endocrine