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Alcohol Poisoning in Teens
Alcohol poisoning is an extreme form of physical reaction to an overdose of alcohol or binge drinking. After the victim stops drinking, alcohol in the stomach continues to enter the bloodstream and circulate throughout the body.
Alcohol poisoning is deadly; alcohol flows up to the brain, depriving it of oxygen. The brain, struggling to deal with the overdose of alcohol and lack of oxygen, begins to gradually shut down the voluntary vital functions that regulate breathing and heart rate. A fatal dose of alcohol will eventually stop these functions.
When large amounts of alcohol is consumed in a short period, alcohol poisoning can result.
Why are teens more prone to alcohol poisoning?
- Teenagers are still immature to set limits to the amount of alcohol their body can take. By the time they stop, deadly amounts have been consumed.
- Rapid binge drinking (which often happens on a bet) is especially popular among teenagers. They can easily can ingest a fatal dose before becoming unconscious.
- Family tensions, relationship break-ups make them vulnerable to drinking excessive amounts at one go, rather than handling such situations in a more mature way.
- Wrong company of friends, 'just trying once' concept - teens get easily trapped in such situations without knowing the dire consequences.
- At times, teens try to emulate what they see on television - the sexy, macho image of an adult heavily into alcohol drinking. They falsely think that alcohol creates that macho built.
What are the signs you should look for alcohol poisoning:
- Person is known to have consumed large quantities of alcohol in a short period of time.
- Person is unconscious and cannot be awakened. No response to pinching the skin.
- Person has cold, unusually pale or bluish skin.
- Vomiting while sleeping.
- Breathing is slow or irregular.
As a result, what can be the repercussions:
- Victim chokes to death on own vomit.
- Breathing slows, becomes irregular, stops
- Heart beats irregularly or stops
- Hypothermia (low body temperature) leads to cardiac arrest
- Hypoglycemia (too little blood sugar) leads to seizures
Even if the victim lives, alcohol poisoning can lead to irreversible brain damage.
If you are a teen, what is your responsibility to reduce such mishaps:
- Refuse to take part or host underage drinking parties.
- Try to be a role model for your friend who you know is heavily into binge drinking.
- Learn the danger signals - seek help as soon as you see a victim of alcohol poisoning.
- Do not wait for all symptoms to be present.
Copyright © 2006 teenhealthline.com