WHAT IS ALCOHOL POISONING 

Alcohol poisoning is a serious and often deadly consequence of over drinking  in a short span of time. It puts breathing, heart rate, body temperature at a high risk and can potentially lead to a coma or even death. A person with alcohol poisoning needs an immediate medical attention. 

WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF ALCOHOL POISONING 

• Confusion

• Bouts of vomiting

• Seizures and Fits

• Slow breathing (even less than eight breaths per minute)

• Irregular breathing ( persisting gap of more than 10 seconds between breaths)

• Blue-tinged or pale skin

• Fall in body temperature (hypothermia)

• Unconsciousness

Causes

1. Alcohol in the form of ethanol (ethyl alcohol) is found in alcoholic beverages, mouthwash, cooking extracts, few medications and certain household products. Poisoning through Ethyl alcohol generally results from drinking too many alcoholic beverages, especially in a short period of time. While toxic poisoning caused by other forms of alcohol — including isopropyl alcohol (used in rubbing alcohol, lotions and some cleaning products) and methanol or ethylene glycol (a common ingredient in anti-freeze, paints and solvents) — can cause other types of poisoning that too may require emergency treatment.

2. Binge drinking— a pattern of fatal heavy drinking that  can occur over hours or last up to several days. So, even in  unconsciousness the alcohol continues to be released from your stomach and intestines into your bloodstream causing the level of alcohol in your body continue to rise.

3. The more you drink, especially in a short period of time, the greater your risk of alcohol poisoning. A number of factors can increase your risk of alcohol poisoning, such as your size and weight, overall health, if you've eaten recently, if you have combined  alcohol with some other drugs, alcohol % in your drinks, rate and amount of alcohol consumption, your alcohol tolerance level, etc

DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT

When a person has had exceptionally large amount of alcohol and displaying any of the symptoms he or she should be immediately be taken for urgent and immediate medical attention. 

Call EMERGENCY immediately. 

IMPORTANT INFORMATION: 

1. To understand an unconscious  person with alcohol poisoning who can't be awakened is at risk of dying. Don't leave an unconscious person alone. Alcohol poisoning affects the way the gag reflex works and a person with alcohol poisoning may actually choke on his or her own vomit and be not able to breathe. So, while waiting for help, don't try to make the person vomit because he or she could choke. Help keeping him or her sitting up. Try keeping the person awake if possible.

2. Getting follow-up consultation. After a patient has been treated for alcohol poisoning, ensure a follow-up consult to prevent recurrence due to dependency on alcohol and or other psychological and emotional issues.  

Complications

• Choking

• Stopping breathing

• Severe dehydration 

• Seizures.

• Hypothermia (cardiac arrest)

• Irregular heartbeat

• Brain damage

• Death.