Alcoholism Tutorial 3D Flashcards
What causes a subdural haematoma?
rupture of bridging veins that cross the skull into the brain
Why is haematoma more easily achieved in older people?
brain is smaller and looser in the cranium so when there is sudden movement the veins are more susceptible
cause of loss of sensation in arms/legs. shakiness and eye twitches in chronic alcoholics?
thiamine deficiency
effect of alcohol on the respiratory system?
relaxes upper airway musculature = snoring or aspiration pneumonia
most commonly affected side for aspiration pneumonia?
right
why is the right the most common side for aspiration pneumonia?
right main bronchus more vertically orientated
two pathological processes that can occur in aspiration pneumonia
aspiration of oropharyngeal colonising bacteria OR pneumonitis (inflammation without infection)
how does the appearance of dilated cardiomyopathy?
enlarged, heavier heart with NORMAL unthickened ventricular walls
effect of alcohol on the heart’s contractility?
negative inotropic effect
effect of alcohol on heart rate and why?
positive chronotropic effect due to decreased contractility
how is lipid synthesis triggered in alcoholic fatty liver disease?
NAD converted to NADH
effect of alcohol on liver in alcoholic fatty liver disease?
mitochondrial oxidation reduced, decreased fat transport out of hepatocytes
what cells are involved in cirrhosis?
the interstitial cells of ito cause fibrosis, hepatocytes release toxic material as they are trapped and cant receive toxic substances
why do we get varices?
blood is redirecting itself away from the cirrhotic liver to smaller veins that become engorged with blood
why can alcohol “hit” someone when they were initially fine?
earlier drinks may have been less alcoholic and are absorbed more slowly through the gastric mucosa, a few shots are absorbed straight away
