Chapter 25 Lesson 2 What Alcohol does to the Body

What Alcohol Does to the Body

Short Term Effects of Alcohol Brain – Alcohol reaches the brain almost immediately Depresses the activity of the brain Slows the work of the Central Nervous System Thought process are disorganized, memory and concentration are dulled

Short Term Effects of Alcohol Liver – In process called oxidation, alcohol changed to water, carbon dioxide and energy Liver can oxidize 1/3 to ½ ounce of alcohol an hour No way to speed up process Cold shower, coffee will not counter the effects

Short Term Effects of Alcohol Blood vessels – Blood carries alcohol to all parts of the body, including heart, liver and brain Blood vessels dilate, or widen, increases blood flow to skin and makes it feel warm and flush Causes body to lose heat through radiation and body temperature decreases Increases risk of hypothermia

Short Term Effects of Alcohol Kidneys – Alcohol effects pituitary gland, which acts on the kidneys, causing them to produce more urine This is reason people feel dehydrated after heavy drinking

Short Term Effects of Alcohol Stomach – Alcohol immediately absorbed into blood stream Food can slow process, bt will not stop effects Alcohol increases flow of gastric juices This can irritate stomach lining and can cause bleeding

Driving Under the Influence DWI – Driving while intoxicated BAC – Blood alcohol concentration- amount of alcohol in blood Signs of intoxication begin at.02

Driving Under the Influence Reduces ability to judge distances, speeds and turns Reduces ability to judge accurately one’s own capabilities and limitations Increases the tendency to take risks Shows reflexes Adds to forgetfulness to take precautions such as using signals when turning Reduces the ability to concentrate

Consequences of DWI Leading death among teenagers 11 teens killed and 350 injured every day 50% of all fatalities of innocent passengers caused by drunk driver

Other Costs of DWI Immediate confiscation of driver’s license Arrest, trip to jail, court appearance, and fine Possible suspension of driver’s license Possible mandatory jail sentence Cost of bail to get out of jail Higher insurance rate Possible lawsuits

Efforts to Reduce DWI Legal limit of 0.1 or 0.08 – for drunk driving M.A.D.D. – Mothers against drunk driving S.A.D.D. – Students against destructive behavior Designated drivers

Long Term Effects of Drinking Vitamin deficiency Stomach and skin problems Loss of appetite Permanent damage to liver and Central nervous system

Long Term Effects of Drinking Brain damage – Alcohol use may decrease brain size Destroys brain cells Loss of intellectual abilities, such as memory and problem solving Can interfere with everyday functions

Chronic Liver Problems Alcohol interferes with the liver’s ability to break down fats Increased amount of fat prevents liver from functioning normally Interferes with growth of new liver cells

Chronic Liver Problems Prolonged, heavy use leads to Cirrhosis- (scarring) Liver tissue is damaged and replaced by scar tissue Hepatitis – Inflammation or infection of the liver Can cause weakness, jaundice, fever and sometimes death Alcoholic Hepatitis – caused by toxic effects from alcohol

Tolerance and Dependence Tolerance – Regular users need to use more and more to get the same effect Withdrawal – Symptoms range from Jumpiness, sleeplessness, sweating and poor appetite to severe tremors, convulsions, and hallucinations

The Multiplier Effect Synergistic effect – Occurs when 2 or more medicines are taken simultaneously Alcohol combined with other drugs or medicines produces this effect

Alcohol and Pregnancy Fetal Alcohol syndrome – Condition in which a fetus has bee adversely affected mentally ad physically by its mother’s heavy alcohol use during pregnancy

FAS Symptoms Low birth weight Impaired speech Cleft palate General weakness, slow body growth Facial abnormalities Poor coordination and heart defects

FAS Symptoms Mental retardation Poor attention span Nervousness Hyperactivity Fetal Alcohol syndrome is leading cause of mental retardation in the United States

Fetal Alcohol Syndrome 5,000 FAS babies born each year 100% preventable