Chapter 9 Flashcards
Alcohol
Ethanol is the type of alcohol found in drinks (wine, beer). Produced via fermentation (sugars converted by yeast) and distillation (liquor)
Intake
2 per day for men and 1 per day for women
Alcohol Absorption and Metabolism
Not stored in body and rapidly metabolized as a toxin. Factors include sex, body type, food in stomach, alcohol amount. Women metabolize less efficiently due to lower levels of alcohol dehydrogenase and body water
Brain Effects
Depressant, impairs judgement, reaction time, and motor skills
Short Term Risks
Hangovers, electrolyte imbalance, nausea, fatigue
Long Term Risks
Organ damage (liver disease, gastritis, esophageal inflammation), vitamin deficiencies, weight gain, malnutrition
Pregnancy Risks
Can cause fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD), including growth and developmental impairments
Alcohol Use Disorder
Compulsive drinking, inability to control intake, negative emotional states when not drinking. Symptoms include craving, withdrawals, tolerance, neglect of responsibilities
Binge Drinking
5+ drinks (men) or 4+ drinks (women) consumed in 2 hours. Linked to health risks like injuries, unsafe sex, blackouts, increased mortality
Special Populations
Higher susceptibility: pregnant women, people on medication, people with medical conditions, anyone under 21.
Underage drinking: can impair brain development and increase risks of violence, injuries, and dependency
Driving and Alcohol
Impairs alertness, judgement, coordination, contributes to 33% of car deaths in US (2016)
Health Impacts
Disrupts hormone levels, increases risk of breast cancer in women, and contributes to overnutrition (calorie surplus) or malnutrition (vitamin deficiencies like niacin, thiamin, folate, zinc)
