Alcohol is one of a group of liquid organic chemicals of similar structure. Three alcohols only are of medical interest: ethyl alcohol (ethanol), the basic constituent of alcoholic drinks; methyl alcohol (methanol); and isopropyl alcohol (isopropanol). All alcohols are poisonous, but ethyl alcohol is less poisonous than others.
Question: What are the medical uses of alcohol?
Ethyl alcohol hardens, cleanses, and cools the skin.
Methyl alcohol is used as a cooling lotion to the skin, but it is extremely poisonous when inhaled or drunk and can cause blindness, nerve inflammation (neuritis), and death due to respiratory paralysis.
Isopropyl alcohol is also used as a rubbing alcohol, but it has caused acute intoxication, convulsion, coma, and death in children due to prolonged exposure to vapors during sponging for fevers.
Question: Are alcoholic beverages dangerous?
Alcoholic drinks are the most commonly abused drug in the U.S. Alcohol is addictive, and its repeated use often results in the need to drink more and more to produce intoxication. Other symptoms of alcohol abuse are impaired coordination and often aggressive actions. Inflammation of the stomach lining (gastritis), vomiting, and "hangover" are almost inevitable. It is also one of the most common causes of hypertension (high blood pressure).
Alcohol acts as a depressant and reduces self-criticism and anxiety. The prolonged use of alcohol can cause damage to nerves (neuritis), the liver (cirrhosis), and the heart muscle (cardiomyopathy). It can also produce mental deterioration (dementia) and increase a tendency toward inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis). Chronic gastritis may cause a loss of appetite (anorexia), leading to malnutrition. Alcoholic drinks are rich in calories, although they have little or no nutritive value. For this reason, heavy drinkers often have a weight problem.
Question: Is it safe to drink while taking medicines?
No. The effects of alcohol increase the power of drugs contained in, for example, some cough mixtures and sedative drugs, such as sleeping pills, antihistamines, tranquilizers, and muscle relaxants. As a result, one drink may have the effect of several and can cause drowsiness and drunkenness. This is dangerous and can be fatal.
Question: When should alcohol be avoided?
Alcohol should not be taken by epileptics because it may bring on convulsions. It should be avoided during pregnancy, by diabetics, and by persons with complaints such as gastritis.
Hospitalization - Admission Procedures
The procedures you follow on admission to a hospital vary from one hospital to another, but basically the process is the same in most institutions in the United States.
Care of the Dying - Role of Friends
The friend can show appreciation of the work being done by the family and offer to stay with the patient if the family needs a little time away from home.
Care of the Dying - Death of an Older Child or an Adolescent
From the age of three years onward, a child begins to understand the concept of death and dying. The dying child feels protective toward his or her parents. Although the child desperately needs to talk about what is going to happen, he or she may never get close to the subject. The child may attach himself or herself to a nurse or physician while still relying on the parents. By doing this, the child is sharing the emotional responsibility. The parents may find this difficult to accept, but must realize that someone else can perhaps give more help by listening dispassionately to the child's fears and anxieties.
