Alcohol Symposium Flashcards
What effects does alcohol have at low doses?
- Euphoria
- Reduced anxiety
- relaxation
- Sociability
Intoxication.
The pathological state produced by a drug, serum, alcohol or any toxic substance; poisoning
What effects does alcohol have at higher doses?
- Impaired attention and judgement
- Unsteadineness
- Flushing
- Nystagmus
- Mood instability
- Disinhibition
- Slurring
- Stupor
- Unconsciousness
What is harmful use?
- Pattern of drinking causing damage to physical or mental health
- Use >1 month or repeatedly over 12 months
What are the signs of dependence?
3 or more of the following for >1month or repeatedly over 12 months:
ravings/compulsions to take
-Difficulty controlling use
-Primacy
-Increased tolerance
-Physiological withdrawal on reduction/cessation
-Persistence despite harmful consequences
What is withdrawal state?
-Group of symptoms of variable clustering and severity on complete/relative withdrawal of a psychoactive substance, after persistent use of that substance
What neurochemical changes occur with alcohol use?
- Increase in inhibitory GABA A
- Increase in glycine
- Decrease in excitatory NMDA glutamate
- Promotes endocannabinoid release
- Promotes endogenous opioid release
What are the signs and symptoms of alcohol withdrawal state?
- Tremor
- Weakness
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Anxiety
- Seizures
- Confusion
- Agitation
- Death
- Delirium tremens
What is delirium tremens?
Rapid onset of confusion usually caused by withdrawal from alcohol
What are the signs and symptoms of DT?
- Profound confusion
- Tremor
- Agitation
- Hallucinations
- Delusions
- Sleeplessness
- Autonomic over activity
When do DTs usually occur?
48-72 hours after alcohol is stopped
How can death occur due to DTs?
- Cardiovascular collapse
- Infection
- Hyperthermia
- Seizures
- Self-injury
What are the categories of alcohol related problems?
- Physical health
- Mental health
- Relationships
- Employment/ finances
- Legal
How can alcohol affect your mental health?
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Sleep disruption
- Morbid Jealousy
- Alcoholic hallucinosis
- Deliberate self-injury
- Suicidal thoughts/acts
What neurological problems can occur as a result of alcohol?
- Brain damage
- Loss of memory
- Hallucinations
- Fits
- Dementia
What respiratory problems can occur as a result of alcohol?
Risk of chest infections
What hepatic problems can occur as a result of alcohol?
- Swollen liver
- Hepatitis
- Cirrhosis
What problems can occur in the extremities as a result of alcohol?
- Tingling nerves
- Numbness
- Trembling hands
- Loss of muscle
What cardiovascular problems can occur as a result of alcohol?
- Poor control of diabetes
- Enlarged heart
- Hypertension
- Irregular pulse
What GIT problems can occur as a result of alcohol?
- Ulcers
- Gastritis
- Vomiting blood
- Pancreatitis
What sexual problems can occur as a result of alcohol?
- Impotence in me
- Infertility in women
What problems can occur due to thiamine deficiency?
- Wernicke’s encephalopathy
- Korsakoff’s psychosis
How does Wernicke’s encephalopathy present?
- Confusion
- Ataxia
- Opthalmoplegia
- Nystagmus
How does Korsakoff’s psychosis present?
-Prominent impairment of recent and remote memory, preservation of immediate recall, no general cognitive impairment, retrograde and anterograde memory, impaired learning and disorientation, may exhibit nystagmus and ataxia
Why does thiamine deficiency occur with excessive alcohol consumption?
Poor intake and absorption, poor hepatic function, increased requirement for alcohol metabolism