Alcohol

Question 1

Describe the trend of alcohol over the last century

Answer 1

Over the past century, alcohol consumption has declined

Question 2

Describe the trend of alcohol mortality over the last century

Answer 2

Alcohol deaths are increasing in the US

Question 3

Describe the history of human consumption of alcohol

Answer 3

Thousands of years alcohol was a clever way for humans to store calories without contamination
Distillation started over 1000 years ago in the Mediterranean - created more potent alcoholic drinks

Question 4

Describe the blood alcohol levels and their effects

Answer 4

0.02 g/dL - slight feelings of intoxication
0.08 g/dL - Decrease in motor performance
0.20 - Slurred speech, motor incoordination
0.30 - Light coma
0.40 Death

Question 5

Describe the process of Alcohol metabolism

Answer 5

Alcohol goes to Acetaldehyde via alcohol dehydrogenase
Acetaldehyde goes to Acetate via aldehyde dehydrogenase

Question 6

Describe the effects of alcohol doses

Answer 6

Low doses - alcohol may protect against atherosclerosis
High doses - clearly causes hypertension and cardiomyopathy

Question 7

What is a barrier to ceasing alcohol use

Answer 7

Alcohol causes a dopamine release

Question 8

Describe the relationship between genes and environment in relation to an alcohol use disorder

Answer 8

Heritability is approximately 50-60% in men and women based on large, population studies
Variability of presentation suggests genetic heterogeneity
Complex multifactorial disease in which polygenic influences and environmental influences interact

Question 9

State symptoms of alcohol withdrawal

Answer 9

Minor withdrawal symptoms: Insomnia, tremulousness, mild anxiety, GI upset, headache, diaphoresis, palpitations, anorexia
Alcoholic hallucinosis:
Withdrawal seizures
Delirium tremens - if untreated 1/3 of patients die

Question 10

How much alcohol is safe to drink while pregnant

Answer 10

There is no known safe amount of alcohol use during pregnancy or while trying to get pregnant
All types of alcohol are equally harmful, including all wines and beer

Question 11

FASD

Describe the effect of a pregnant woman drinking alcohol on her unborn child

Answer 11

Drinking alcohol during pregnancy can cause miscarriage, stillbirth, and a range of lifelong physical, behavioral, and intellectual disabilities. These disabilities are known as fetal alcohol spectrum disorders

Question 12

What is the relation between alcoholism and a nicotine addiction

Answer 12

70% of alcoholics are heavy smokers
10% of general population

Question 13

Describe the relationship between alcohol and mortality

Answer 13

J shaped curve - small amounts of alcohol is beneficial - this may be a confounding factor however

Question 14

Describe the relationship between alcohol and Heart disease

Answer 14

J shaped curve - small amounts of alcohol is beneficial
this may be a confounding factor however

Question 15

Describe the relationship between alcohol and strokes

Answer 15

Direct correlation, no amount of alcohol is good - any amount will cause an increase risk of a stroke

Question 16

Describe the relationship between alcohol and cancers

Answer 16

Direct correlation, no amount of alcohol is good - any amount will cause an increase risk of a cancer

Question 17

Describe the Grant study

Answer 17

Study of Harvard students lives in 1938 in clues to happy and long lifes

Question 18

Describe the findings of the Grant study

Answer 18

Great relationships with your parents predict future happiness AND health
Alcohol and Loneliness were the most devastating influences for Harvard grads

Question 19

State some limitations of the Grant study

Answer 19

Only Harvard students and only men