Alcohol Poisoning Symptoms, Treatment and Natural Home Remedies

Posted on May 20, 2010 by TDR in General Health

Alcohol in small amounts is helpful. However, if taken excessively, it is a toxic substance in our body. It is a serious threat to human health. It can cross the blood-brain-barrier and has a direct effect on the brain. Alcohol is the only substance together with water that is readily absorbed in the stomach. That explains how we easily get ‘œout of our world’ when we first drink it. When blood levels of alcohol rise, its effects on the brain are also extensive particularly depressing the many functions of the central nervous system.

As a result, manifestations of a drunken person follows.

Symptoms of Alcohol Poisoning

Several symptoms of alcohol poisoning are identified, and all of them are mostly related to the CNS functioning. They include:

  • Ataxic or waddling gait. This symptom of alcohol poisoning is due to its effect on the coordination center of the brain.
  • Seizures. Alcohol lowers seizure threshold.
  • Slow breathing. This is due to the effects on the hypothalamus or the breathing control center of the brain.
  • Vomiting. Due to the effect on the area post trema of the brain located just inferior to the fourth ventricle (it is the vomiting center of the brain).
    The victim may choke with his own vomitus thus he must stay upright or turn his head on the side.
  • Unconsciousness, lethargy, coma. Death will ensue if emergency treatments will not be given to the victim.

Home Remedies and Treatment for Alcohol Poisoning

When intoxication is experienced, at once, the sober works immediately on how to treat alcohol poisoning.

  1. Dilute the poison. Make him drink water or milk.
  2. Give activated charcoal after vomiting to absorb the remaining poison.
  3. Make him vomit. Give a dose of syrup of ipecac: 1 tablespoonful for children or 2 tablespoonfuls for adults, following 2 glasses or more of milk or water.  If the patient does not vomit within 15 minutes, induce it by gently tickling the back of his throat with your finger. It is important to have the patient vomit even though several hours have passed since the poison was swallowed. Keep him upright if conscious.
  4. Keep the victim warm.
  5. Ensure that he is able to breathe.
  6. Stimulate the victim. Give a strong cold coffee if he is conscious. If unconscious, administer lukewarm water or coffee per rectum. The caffeine will serve as a stimulant.

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