Alcohols and Alcoholism

alcohol image

Alcohols and Alcoholism

Introduction

• colourless volatile flammable liquid which is produced by the natural fermentation of sugars and is the intoxicating constituent

• In chemistry - any organic compound whose molecule contains one or more hydroxyl groups attached to a carbon atom.

• Alcohols obtained from sugar,water,yeast
• Used in medines nutritious food and beverages
• Beverages mean liquor or drink

Type of alcohol drinkers

1. Social drinkers –drinks only at social function

2. Social heavy drinkers –drink heavy in social function more and commonly drink

3. Alcoholics –daily drinkers consumes high amount of alcohols

Pharmacology of alcohols

• Ethanol it industrial use produce mainly by ethylene
• Have molecular formula C₂H₅OH
• Mainly found in alcoholic beverages only vary with concentration
• ETHANOL IS WATER SOLUBLE
• All produce by process of fermentation
   
• REACTION
  C6H12O6(GLUCOSE) ---------> 2C2H5OH(EHTHANOL) +2CO2

Pharmacologial properties of alcohol

Local action –applied topically shows no. of effects .cool the skin through evaporationacct like astringent,counterirritant action

Serve property of antibacterial agent

Ethanol has bacteriocidal action

Systemic action –

 Effect On CNS –act like cns depressant ,degree of depression is directly proportional to quantity of ethanol consumed

Blood increased ethanol shows sedation,comma and death,altered speech

Chronic ingestion lead to memory loss,emotional and sleep disorder (karasakoff’s disease)

 

Effect on CVS –moderate amount of alcohol cause vasodilation. reduction in myocardial contractility. Excess amount lead to chronc heart failure,also hypertension rhythmdistrubed.if sudden withdrawal done lead to cardiac arrhythmia

Effect on GIT –small amount cause stimulation of gastric juice and HCL. Blood loss lead to anemia. Big amoun lead to mal nutrition and vitamin deficiency. Also have risk of pancreatitis,hepattis and cirrhosis

Other Effect

May lead to impotence and sterility,impairs psycho-motor responces,ethanol act smooth muscle relaxant

think before drinking