Name Jaime Gonzlez Millapn

Date August 16, 2016

Teacher Miss Marcela Lpez
 1. Brief Introduction to Alcohol

Alcohol is the common name of ethyl alcohol or ethanol. Ethyl alcohol is the major
psychoactive component of alcoholic drinks.
Alcoholic beverages consumed being carried by humans since the time of ancient Babylon in
various forms being the oldest beer and wine.

In many countries consumption of alcoholic beverages is marked by the own cultural

character of the region; such as wine in Spain and beer in Germany.
The amount of ethyl alcohol in an alcoholic beverage is marked with degrees. Degrees
represent the percentage of the compound present in a liquid. Thus, if a wine has 12 means
it contains 12% is substance. Although they are highly variable in both smell and taste,
drinks can be classified into three groups:

Alcoholic drinks ( 0.5 - 1 ):

This is some beers and , less frequently , wine or snacks that are advertised as having no
consumptions of this compound but which, however, have an alcohol content of 0.8 to 1.

Fermented Beverages (5th - 15th) :

This chemical process occurs when left to stand certain vegetables and fruits high glucose
content over a long period of time and at an appropriate temperature . In these
circumstances some microorganisms found in the air and on the surface of the fruit
sucrose transformed into alcohol . Therefore , any spontaneous fermentation of sugary
liquid leads to obtaining a fermented beverage . We quote some examples :
or Vermouth and snacks ( 16- 24 )
or Cava (12th)
or Wine (11th - 12th)
or Beer (4th - 5th)
or Sidra (3rd)

Distilled Beverages ( 25th - 60th ):

It is obtained when boiled fermented beverages. By eliminating heat of its water content
the alcohol content rises. So liquors, which typically range between 25 and 50, which are
usually added some substance ( aromas, sugar or water) to make them softer and are made
palatable . They are also the main ingredient of drinks and cocktails. We quote some
examples :

Ron 40 - 80
Whisky or 40th - 50th or
Cognac 40 or
Geneva 40 or
Vodka 40
Anise or 36
Pacharn or 28

2. Organically harmful effects

Action on Esophagus
Excessive alcohol consumption can cause vomiting and nausea that excess can cause major
diseases like the esophagus esophageal cancer or esophageal rupture (Booerhave
syndrome)

Action on Stomach
Once ingested alcoholic beverage gastric mucosa rapidly absorbed much of the ingested
alcohol; almost everything is transformed in the liver and the remainder is eliminated in
the urine and expired air. It produces a caustic and irritating action on the mucosa of the
stomach that increases the production of mucus and hydrochloric acid, thereby disturbing
the digestive function spends cause chronic gastritis. This increased secretion of the
stomach may promote the development of gastric and duodenal ulcers.

Action on the Liver

Ingestion of alcohol can cause eventually severe liver condition called cirrhosis, whose
evolution is slow but fatal. The appetite is decreased, the subject is satisfied with just
drink, not consuming the necessary amount of food ; thus vitamin deficiencies and other
shortcomings that diminish the anti-toxic and metabolizing capacity of the liver, which is
severely damaged by alcohol, leading to develop liver cirrhosis such grave prognosis occur.

Action on the pancreas

Excessive alcohol irritates the duodenal mucosa in the mouth of the excretory duct of the
pancreas, thus disrupting the free flow of pancreatic juice. By this mechanism other
factors associated with acute conditions course may occur, often fatal, called acute
pancreatitis or chronic pancreatitis with acute outbreaks

Accin On Reproductive System

Excessive alcohol consumption can damage the germ cells involved in the offspring , being
the cause of infertility and loss of sexual potency.

Action on the Central Nervous System

It is in the central nervous system where alcohol exerts its most harmful actions. Alcohol
depresses brain functions , starting with the highest as self-criticism and self-control ,
following the ideation and motor coordination , ending with the simplest or vegetative as
breathing and circulation. One of the most typical diseases that produces coma is.
 Action on Circulatory System
Moderate alcohol intake modifies lipid levels , especially cholesterol - raising HDL or good
cholesterol , and levels of certain proteins of coagulation and fibrinolysis , disfavoring the
formation of thrombi. These mechanisms explain important part of reducing the risk of
cardiovascular and cerebrovascular obstructive mortality in moderate drinkers. Alcoholism
is responsible for one third of cases of cardiomyopathy cause.

3. Harmful effects on the psychological level

The main psychopathological disturbance caused by excessive alcohol intake is the

modification of psychic profile of the patient, who undergoes emotional weakness
manifests prior to the onset of depression or anxiety.

4. What is Alcoholism

Who defines alcoholism as a chronic behavioral disorder characterized by dependence on

alcohol expressed through two main symptoms: the inability of stopping alcohol intake and
inability to abstain from alcohol.
Who it is considered an alcoholic?

It is called alcoholic those who are heavy drinkers and alcohol -dependent degree as to
cause an obvious or intervene in their mental and physical health mental disorder.

This disease (alcoholism ) not only affects the drinker, but also his family and
the society in which he lives . The first warning sign perceived by the family,
by the imbalances that observed in the drinker, begins a change in the family ,
marital discord for no apparent reason , ill-treatment of children and the
couple , loss of friends and estimation all, which causes the drinker, gradually
marginalizing not perceive changes his illness , insists that it has the same
ability to work and cope with family problems, but occasionally temporary
impairments of brain functions occur and self control , they are promoting
aggression and makes it more vulnerable to accidents .

5. Stages of the disease of alcoholism

7. Pharmacologic Treatment of Alcoholism

In the framework of the alcoholic disease, dependence disorder as brain disease , the
emergence of modern psychopharmacological treatments provides among other important
things , greater dignity to these patients, who no longer have the sole therapeutic
response which they learn to endure , to resist and control with willpower "his vice."

In order to treat these subjects , the first step is the recognition of their status as
alcoholics, within a therapeutic relationship that allows them not to feel attacked or
criminalized. The usefulness of the questionnaires most common detection, such as the
CAGE test MALT test AUDIT or biomarkers of alcohol such as gamma glutamyl (GGT ) ,
mean corpuscular volume (MCV ) , the transaminase (ALAT , ASAT ) , deficient transferrin
carbohydrate (CDT ) , provide the possibility of objective observation : "these data are
from a person with an alcohol disorder "; and allow the return of this diagnosis to our
patients.

6. Pathology and common derivatives alcoholism Syndrome

Hepatic cirrhosis

What is liver cirrhosis ? chronic liver disease , comprising the progressive death of normal
liver tissue and fibrous tissue replacement , leading to : or inability of the liver to perform
their duties detoxification of the body ( liver failure). Phenomena or bleeding
(coagulopathy ) . o Increased pressure in the portal vein , which causes fluid buildup in the
abdomen ( ascites) and dangerous dilation of the veins of the esophagus (esophageal
varices) , which if broken can cause severe gastrointestinal bleeding. or brain disorders
with drowsiness and disorientation caused by the circulation of blood ammonia (hepatic
encephalopathy) .

Causes

1. Alcohol: Most of cirrhosis cases is due to alcohol abuse.

2. Other causes: - Chronic virus infections (hepatitis)
- Defects of the bile ducts (biliary obstruction)
- cystic fibrosis
- Increases the absorption of iron or copper, which is deposited in
the liver.
Symptom
Many patients remain without symptoms for years , delaying diagnosis. - -
"constitutional syndrome " : Lack of appetite, fatigue and weight loss .
Nausea and vomiting. Vomiting may be blood when there esophageal varices and /
or alterations in blood clotting .
Jaundice (yellow tint of the skin and mucous membranes due to excess circulating
bilirubin ) Abdominal swelling , when ascites occurs.
Menstrual disorders in women.
Impotence and breast development in men.
" Spider veins " : Red blood vessels in the skin, making spider -like figures

Treatment

General principles:

absolute abstention from alcohol.

salt-free diet, with supplements of B vitamins and rich in protein (unless there
encephalopathy).

Treatment of complications:
Ascites. It is restricted sodium (salt-free diet), diuretic drugs, and sometimes
removing fluid from the peritoneal cavity through the abdominal wall is necessary.
Esophageal varices. They are treated by sclerosis of the dilated veins of the
esophagus with a chemical, thus preventing rupture and bleed, or placing elastic
bands. They can also be treated with surgery.
Bleeding tendency. It is treated with vitamin K injections or blood transfusions.
Encephalopathy. To prevent gut bacteria from making more ammonia from proteins
diet, dietary protein restricted, antibiotics are given by mouth to kill bacteria in
the gut locally. Avoid constipation with mild laxatives (lactulose).

7. Partnerships Against Alcoholism

Currently there are multiple associations in our society against alcoholism . These
associations create support programs, group therapy , and so on . We have here some
addresses:

www.fundacionbernaberuiz.org
www.centrebonanova.com

www.alcoholics-anonymous.org

www.tavad.com

www.alcoholicos-anonimos.org