Alcohol Flashcards
How does Alcohol enter the body?
20% through the stomach
80% through the small intestine
metabolized by the liver
What is BAC?
BAC: Blood Alcohol Concentration, or the percentage of alcohol in the bloodstream
What four factors determine BAC?
- number of drinks consumed
- amount of time in which said drinks were consumed
- muscle mass
- food eaten
What is tolerance?
An effect caused by continued drinking in which the consumption of a constant amount of alcohol produces a lesser effect, so they may need larger amounts of alcohol to produce the same effect
What is binge drinking?
the consumption of large amounts of alcohol in a short period of time
How many drinks is considered binge drinking for men vs. women and why is it different?
men: 5 drinks in 2 hours
women: 4 drinks in 2 hours
this is different for men vs. women because of muscle mass (men usually have more)
How does alcohol exit the body?
5% through the kidneys (urine)
5% through the lungs
90% through the liver
What is alcohol poisoning?
an effect of binge drinking in which there is a dangerously high BAC basically a toxic amount of alcohol in the bloodstream that poisons the body (a medical emergency)
What are signs that someone has been poisoned by alcohol?
- slurred speech
- stumbling/difficulty with coordination
- trouble making eye contact
- body temperature is too low or too high
- slowed breathing
- shortness of breath
- vomiting/dry heaving
- stupor
- trouble making eye contact
- unconciousness
- erratic/aggressive behavior
What should you do to help somebody with alcohol poisoning?
- cut them off
- call 911
- get them to a seated, relaxed position
- keep them warm
- make sure they’re sitting them upright (not lying down or could choke on vomit)
- don’t let them walk, but if they need to then go with them
What does the hippocampus do and what is alcohols effect on it?
- hippocampus controls memory
- alcohol could cause blackout or to forget a period of time.
- long term alcohol consumption can cause learning issues
What does the hypothalamus do and what is alcohols effect on it?
- hypothalamus controls body processes like heart rate, hunger, and thirst
- alcohol can slow heart rate and make you hungrier/thirstier
What does the medulla do and what is alcohols effect on it?
- medulla controls involuntary body processes like breathing and maintaining body temperature
- alcohol can shut down these systems and cause a coma
What does the cerebral cortex do and what is alcohols effect on it>
- cerebral cortex controls decision making, thinking, the 5 senses, and emotions
- alcohol can impair the ability to think clearly/ lowers your inhibitions
- alcohol can cause erratic/aggressive behavior
- alcohol can effect senses like blurred vision
What does the central nervous system do?
- central nervous system is made up of the brain, spinal cord, and nerves
- affects how signals flow through the body
- alcohol can cause you to think, speak, and act slowly
Pruning
removal of non-essential connections in the brain
myelination
insulation around nerve fibers that increases the speed of communication (faster connections)
difference between ABV and proof
ABV = 1/2 proof
what does the cerebellum do and what is alcohols impact on it
- cerebellum controls coordination, balance, reflexes, and motor skills
- alcohol can cause somebody to lose their balance/stumble
- alcohol can slow reflexes and make hands shake
