The only common alcohol that humans can digest is ethanol, C2H5OH, usually known as ethyl alcohol or grain alcohol. When eaten in an aqueous solution, alcohol is easily absorbed by the body. All typical alcoholic beveragesareethanol aqueoussolutions.
Althoughmost alcohol absorptionoccursinthesmall intestine,it oftenbeginsinthestomach. Becausealcohol is dispersed to all physiological fluids (in proportion to their water content), it may bedetected and quantified in blood, urine, cerebrospinal fluid, and pulmonary water vapor. This information is used in drug testing for alcohol levels.
Metabolism
Onlyaround 2% of alcohol ingested iseliminated unaltered bythelungsor kidneys. Theremainder isprocessed by the body by biological oxidation using the enzymes alcohol dehydrogenase and acetaldehyde dehydrogenase. These are induced enzymes (made in response to a requirement) that are more abundant in heavydrinkersthaninnondrinkers.
Alcohol dehydrogenaseisa proteinthat catalyzestheconversionof ethyl alcohol toacetaldehyde.
Acetaldehyde is a moderately poisonous chemical that is thought to be the main cause of headaches and hangovers.
Acetaldehyde dehydrogenase is the second enzyme that catalyzes the oxidation of acetaldehyde to acetate.
A limited quantity of acetate enters the Krebs cycle (cellular digestion), while other acetate molecules enter the body's other energy-conversion pathways. The remaining acetate is stored as long-chain fatty acids beforebeing oxidized tocreatecarbondioxideand water.
Although thereisconsiderablepersonal variation, thebodycan onlydigest roughlyonedrink (11/4 fluid ounces [0.036 liters]) each hour. Because the oxidation processes are enzyme-catalyzed, there is nothing that can be donetohastenthemup.
The liver is in charge of processing alcohol. Excessive amounts of alcohol, on the other hand, cannot be metabolized in a single pass through the liver. As a result, alcohol can have an immediate effect on other sectionsof thebody.Most tissueimpactsarepart of a complex,interconnected chainof events.
PhysiologicalEffects
Alcohol acts as a vasodilator (the blood vessels dilate or enlarge). Chronically dilated veins are frequently connected with liver illness, and the chronic alcoholic's "enlarged crimson nose" is generally the consequence of permanentlydilated blood vessels.
Hematemesis can result from esophageal vein dilation (vomiting blood). Because of bursting esophageal blood arteries,late-stagealcoholicshavebeenknowntodrownintheir ownblood.
Alcohol intake causes edema, or the buildup of tissue fluid, because as blood vessels expand, proteins and fluidswithinthecapillariesleak intotheinterstitial space.
The concentration of cells between themcauses tissue swelling. There is obvious dehydration since the fluid is not within the blood vessels. Jaundice (yellowing of the bodily tissues) is usually caused by an excess of bilirubin(a normal bodypigment)intheextracellular fluidsand canbeanindicationof liver illness.
Alcohol isa central nervoussystem(CNS)depressive, which meansthat it reducesthecentral nervoussystem's efficiency.
Alcohol isalso a depressiveof all main physiological systems. Alargeamount of alcohol actsasan anesthetic.
Alcohol alsolowerspsychological inhibition,making it appear tobea stimulant.
Alcohol is classified as a biphasic substance by psychologists due to its apparent stimulation of some behavior. The symptoms of inebriation are caused by the combination of CNS depression and inhibition release. Drunkenness, a phrase with no exact meaning, fluctuates according to body size, metabolic rate, individual absorption,and individual tolerance.
ChronicAlcoholism
Prolonged alcohol usage can result in compensating strategies for decreased normal nervous system functioning. Because the neurological system tends to "work harder" to maintain homeostasis, withdrawal of alcohol may cause excessive excitation, leading to convulsions, seizures, and eventually deliriumtremens (the DTs),a stateof restlessness,confusion,and hallucinations.
Mental impairment in chronic alcohol consumption is difficult to evaluate since some impairment is reparable either by itself or by the development of alternate neural pathways in the brain. Personality loss is one of the most apparent reparabledeficits.
Other physiological involvements include sleep apnea, reduced REM (restful) sleep, migraines, testosterone suppression,pancreaticinflammation,and blood electrolyteimbalance.
Poor diet is the main nutritional issue with drinking. Furthermore, excessive alcohol use frequently causes gastrointestinal irritation,whichcanlead toulcers,colitis(inflamed colon),and other chronicdiseases.
It is believed that 10% of the world's population s hooked to alcohol. There is most likely no one cause of alcoholism. Certain genetic indicators have been identified, and the genetic component of alcoholism has beenextensivelyresearched.However,geneticsalonecannot explainall casesof alcoholism.
Alcohol addiction has also been linked to psychological factors. The only therapy for most alcoholics is completeabstinencefromalcohol and involvement ina group suchasAlcoholicsAnonymous.
The alcoholic's body does not "forget" alcohol, and the previously stated triggered enzymes remain ready to restart their metabolicactivitiesif alcohol usageisresumed.
