Ethyl alcohol

The Ethyl Alcohol is the most widely consumed psychoactive substance in the world and in Colombia . According to the global report on drug use in the UN in 2004 , it is estimated that worldwide about 2,600 million people consume either occasional, habitual, abuse and addiction. In Colombia, the RUMBOS presidential program estimated in 2001 that 89.7% of university students were regular consumers of ethyl alcohol. This substance is also the most used in Colombia as a starting substance for the habitual consumption of other psychoactive substances.

Ethanol, when consumed continuously and frequently, produces acute and chronic adverse effects on human health. In chronic alcohol users , nutritional, neurological, liver and teratogenic adverse effects have been verified. In acute poisoning, alterations in the central nervous system, gastrointestinal, endocrine and especially in the basic acid balance can occur. Its high consumption rates, its proven toxic effect on health, its negative repercussions on the social roles of the individual, together with the fact that it is a legally and socially accepted substance, point to the uncontrolled consumption of alcoholic beverages as a true public health problem. , on which it is necessary to draw attention.

Summary

[ hide ]

• 1 Physico-chemical characteristics
• 2 uses
• 3 Lethal dose
• 4 Toxicokinetics
• 5 metabolic routes
• 6 Stages of Ethanol Poisoning
• 7 Nutritional effects
• 8 Poisoning in non-tolerant patients
• 9 Acute effects of ethanol
• 10 Complementary
• 11 Treatment
• 12 See also
• 13 Source

Physicochemical characteristics

• Aliphatic hydrocarbon.
• Chemical Formula: C ₂H ₅
• Universal Thinner.
• Flammable Liquid.
• Ethereal odor.
• Pungent taste
• Soluble in water , Chloroform and Methyl Alcohol.

Applications

• Manufacture of Beverages and Perfumes.
• Industrial solvent.
• Manufacture of Cosmetics.
• Constituent of Medicines.
• Chemical Synthesis.

Lethal dose

• Adult: 5-8gr / kg
• Children: 3 gr / kg

Toxicokinetics

• Rapid Absorption in the Stomach .
• Its absorption rate is practically the same as water .
• Maximum concentrations are reached in 30-60 minutes.
• Distribution: It is evenly distributed by all the tissues of the body.
• DV: Adults: 0.6l / kg. Children: 0.7l / kg.
• 2-10% is excreted unchanged by the kidneys and lungs.
• The rest is metabolized in Liver and Kidneys .
• Maximum Metabolism Rate: 100-125 mg / kg.
• Elimination rate varies between 80-150 mg / kg / h or 7g / h.
• It has zero order elimination kinetics.

Metabolic routes

• Alcohol dehydrogenase.
• Ethanol Oxidizing Microsomal System .
• Catalase Peroxidase System.

Stages of ethanol poisoning

1. Vertigo and well-being (1mg / ml of blood).
2. Drunkenness and Disorder (2mg / ml of blood).
3. Complete binge (3mg / ml of blood).
4. Danger of Death (4 mg / ml blood) (Deep Anesthesia).

Nutritional effects

• Malnutrition due to Insufficient Calorie Contribution.
• Insufficient supply of vitamins and minerals
• Lipid Metabolism Disorders.
• Hyperglycemia and Hypoglycemia.

Intoxication in non-tolerant patients

• Confusion

Acute effects of ethanol

• CNS depressant.
• Conduct abnormalities: loquacity, ataxia, irritability.
• Disorders of consciousness: Stupor and Coma.
• Flushing, sweating.
• Respiratory and Cardiovascular Depression
• Bronco aspiration.
• Seizures
• Metabolic acidosis.

Complementary

• Blood Ethanol Determination.
• Gasometry, Ionogram, Hemogram.
• Liver and Pancreatic Function Test.
• Chest X-ray.
• Other Complementary according to clinical picture and complications.

Treatment

1. ABC of cardiopulmonary resuscitation.
2. Intestinal decontamination: Not effective.
3. Antidote: It doesn’t have.
4. Elimination increase: Hemodialysis.
5. Symptomatic Treatment and Complications:

• Contribution of calories.
• Contribution of B vitamins.
• Ventilatory and cardiovascular support.
• Electrolytic and acid-basic balance.