Poisoning with ethyl alcohol: symptoms, first aid, treatment, consequences

The condition that develops with the use of ethyl alcohol is familiar to everyone who at least once tried alcoholic beverages. Small concentrations of this chemical make a person more relaxed and cheerful. In some cases, the use of drinks that contain alcohol in small amounts leads to drowsiness and apathy. It depends on the characteristics of the metabolism of the body. Most people know that if you "go too far" with alcohol, then there are less pleasant feelings. Namely - nausea, dizziness, unsteadiness in walking, vomiting. Such manifestations indicate intoxication.

Poisoning with alcohol and its surrogates

Poisoning with ethyl alcohol often occurs when ingested. Less often, intoxication can result in rubbing this substance into the skin or inhaling the alcohol vapor. In these cases, we are talking about poisoning with surrogates of ethyl alcohol. Almost always when drinking alcoholic beverages there is an intoxication of the body. How serious is poisoning depends on the dose of alcohol and individual characteristics. The first sign of intoxication is a euphoric state. Despite the fact that a person does not feel bad at the same time, alcohol still affects the body, causing a slight degree of poisoning. With an increase in concentration, there are signs of deterioration in overall well-being. Nausea and vomiting are observed, the movements become uncoordinated, speech is vague.

Ethyl alcohol is a colorless liquid that has a specific odor. It is used in medicine as a disinfectant, and is also a solvent for many drugs. In addition, ethanol is used in the food industry. It is added to various cosmetic, perfume products. All these funds are referred to a group of surrogates. Under the direct poisoning with ethyl alcohol is meant the intoxication of the body, which arose due to the use of alcoholic beverages. It can lead to serious consequences, among them - a violation of blood circulation, coma, mental disorders.

The causes of the development of poisoning with ethyl alcohol

Often, poisoning with ethyl alcohol is associated with alcohol consumption in high concentrations. The transition from pleasant sensations that many experience when taking hot drinks, to intoxication of the body is achieved when the dose of ethanol exceeds 1 ml in the blood (1 ppm). Poisoning in most cases is accidental, as a person ceases to control the amount of alcohol consumed, and the symptoms develop after a while. Sometimes alcohol intoxication is observed in children. The reason is that the parents did not follow the baby who took the drink for water or juice and drank it. In addition to poisoning with ethyl alcohol, a person can develop intoxication and when using alcohol substitutes. The following situations are attributed to the reasons:

1. Reception of various chemical compounds. They include alcohols, in which there are impurities of aldehydes, methanol.
2. The use of cologne inside, antifreeze for refrigeration plants, medicinal infusions, etc.
3. Inhalation of BF glue containing ethyl alcohol and acetone.

It is worth remembering that poisoning with surrogates may not be manifested in the same way as alcohol intoxication. In addition, treatment of these conditions differs. Therefore, before providing assistance, it is necessary to find out what exactly a person used.

The mechanism of development of alcohol intoxication

Poisoning with ethyl alcohol develops as a result of complex biochemical processes occurring in the body. Most of this substance is metabolized by the liver. As you know, this body is responsible for the detoxification of toxins. In the liver there is a special enzyme - alcohol dehydrogenase, which cleaves ethanol. 10% of alcohol is excreted from the body by other organs - kidneys and lungs.

When ethanol enters the blood, the following changes occur: the phospholipid layer, of which the membrane (membrane) consists, and the cell permeability is destroyed. Most of all, this affects the central nervous system. After all, alcohol is neurotoxic. Depending on the concentration and susceptibility of a person to ethanol, activation or inhibition of the central nervous system occurs. With a dose of alcohol more than 5 ppm, the vital centers of the brain are depressed, which leads to a fatal outcome.

What is the difference between methyl and ethyl alcohol?

How to distinguish methyl alcohol from ethyl and help the patient? Despite the fact that poisoning with these substances has similar symptoms, it is necessary to know the difference between them. After all, this depends on the treatment. Methyl (wood) alcohol is not used in the production of alcoholic beverages. It is used for the production of antifreeze, solvents, plastic. It is also used as fuel in some types of cars. And yet, how to distinguish between methyl alcohol and ethyl? After all, in appearance, these chemical compounds are identical. Methyl alcohol, like ethanol, has no color. In addition, they have a similar smell. To distinguish these substances, it is necessary to set fire to a flammable liquid. In this case, the flame from ethanol will be blue, and from methyl alcohol - green. Symptoms of poisoning with these substances are somewhat different. Signs of intoxication, caused by methyl alcohol, develop longer - from 12 hours to a day. In addition, poisoning will not be accompanied by euphoria. Often the patient himself or his close people can answer the question what exactly caused the intoxication.

Poisoning with ethyl alcohol: symptoms of pathology

Signs of intoxication caused by alcohol resemble poisoning with other toxic substances. The difference is the change in the psychoemotional state. After poisoning with ethyl alcohol occurs not immediately after its use. This is preceded by signs of excitation of the central nervous system (mild degree of intoxication). They are characterized by increased mood, sweating, flushing of the skin of the face. At an average degree of poisoning, the following symptoms are observed:

1. On the part of the nervous system - shakiness when walking, reducing muscle tone, headache. People suffering from hypertension can develop circulatory disorders in the brain. Symptoms such as loss of sensitivity in the limbs, paralysis, and visual impairment are noted.
2. From the gastrointestinal tract - nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite. Pain in the abdomen is not always noted.
3. From the cardiovascular system - increased heart rate and heart rate, increased blood pressure.

Changes are observed in human behavior. Some people become aggressive, others - are depressed. In a severe degree, a coma is developing, cramps, stopping breathing are possible.

What can lead to alcohol intoxication?

The consequences of poisoning with ethyl alcohol are often deplorable. Knowingly alcoholism is considered not only medical, but also a social problem. After all, because of the change in behavior, a person ceases to control his actions. This leads to car accidents, fires, criminal situations. In addition, chronic ethanol poisoning results in severe encephalopathy that is not treatable. Disorder of memory, thinking, sleep is noted. There are also marked changes in the liver and pancreas. Among them, diseases - fatty hepatosis, cirrhosis, chronic pancreatitis.

The consequences of acute intoxication include mental disorders - alcohol delirium (hallucinatory syndrome, impaired behavior), stroke, myocardial infarction, to whom.

First aid for ethanol poisoning

Emergency aid for poisoning with ethyl alcohol is the introduction of a solution of glucose 40%, vitamin B1 (thiamine), ascorbic acid. When the blood pressure rises, it is necessary to stabilize the patient's condition. For this purpose, magnesium sulfate therapy is used.

Poisoning with ethyl alcohol: treatment at home

Help with intoxication can be provided at home, if the patient's condition does not suffer much. In case of acute poisoning, it is necessary to replenish the volume of liquid and detoxify the body. To this end, you should drink as much water or oral solutions (the drug "Regidron"). Also, several tablets of activated carbon should be given to the patient.

Specialized treatment of poisoning with ethyl alcohol

Hospitalization of the patient is necessary if severe poisoning with ethyl alcohol is observed. First aid must be given promptly. In the hospital, the patient is intravenously injected saline solutions, glucose, vitamins. With the development of complications, special treatment is needed in the department of cardiology, neurology or intensive care.