What is ethanol in a toxicology report?
If you’re reading this article, there’s a good chance that someone out there thinks you’ve been boozing it up. And not just any old booze, but the kind of booze that people use to make cars go vroom-vroom: ethanol. But what exactly is ethanol, and why might it show up on a toxicology report? Let’s take a closer look.
Breaking Down EtOH
Ethanol (C2H5OH) – or ethyl alcohol if you want to be fancy about it- is the type of alcohol found in alcoholic beverages such as beer, wine, and… well… hard liquor. It’s also used as a fuel additive or solvent for dyes, fats, resins and other organic compounds. However don’t confuse it with methanol or wood alcohol which unlike etoh are poisonous.
When humans consume ethanol-containing substances like alcoholic drinks (and hopefully never rubbing alcohol!), their bodies break down the substance into several different metabolites through enzymatic reactions involving enzymes “Alcohol dehydrogenase” then “Aldehyde Dehydrogenase” before clearing them via liver processing into mainly CO2 which we exhale!
In low doses(1 standard serving lof 5oz glass of wine per hour -Wikipedia), consuming ethanol can create feelings of relaxation and euphoria by suppressing inhibitory neural pathways while increasing ampa receptor polarization enhancing reward-seeking behavior in certain sites including ventral tegmental area(VTA) It increases dopamine release at nucleaus accumbens by inhibiting GABAergic interneurons within VTA/SN region activating VTA-dopaminergic neurons connected us with brain’s pleasure areas leading to frequent use becoming abuse.
First Warning Sign: Intoxication
Exceeding lower limits may lead from relatively symmlocally intoxicated patients demanding lots water/fluids/Vomiting but may progress to loss of consciousness which as you can imagine leads to potential life threatening respiratory depression.
Why a Toxicology Report Might be Needed
Toxicology reports are commonly ordered when an individual is suspected or believed to be under the influence of a substance, typically alcohol or drugs. Ethanol can show up in these reports both because it’s one of the most widely consumed substances and its consumption does raise blood alchohol levels. One serving (5oz glass) could produce detectable ethanol level based on how metabolically fit you are whether well hydrated and last time eaten etc., additionally even medication containing any form ethanol should not be ingested with th use of heavy machinery drills/lathe/cars as judgement related side effect that could involve safety issue from motor coordination muscle control skills impaired leading obviously for accident proneness so doctors must take total history leading up events being investigated especially if driving involved.
Second Warning Sign: Corny Jokes
Most Americans subscribe to corny jorkes about etoh including;
200 PM what happened after apollo shuttle reached landing pad….Astronaut got out litter box!
515PM Ruler length was invented…..it was quite ruler-setting day
Perhaps lesson learned here is too much alcohol impairs good sense judment/taste – this applies not only to comedians!!
The effects
Although consuming low doses may lead euphoria-like feelings people often forget that erratic behavior follows where fine motor control balance speech begins get slurred becoming clinically suspicious but increasing exposure shows symptoms more like CNS(brain)-related toxicity affecting cardiovascular system,breathing rates downgraded leading in severe cases coma & Cardiac Arrhythmias/QTC interval changes If at any point you feel these symptoms arising consult your doctor immediately(in less than three syllables perhaps)!
Third warning sign: Bloody Mary
Have you ever had someone walk up behind while enjoying brunch shouting ‘BLOODY MARY!’ real loud in direction causing embarrassment even if non-alocoholic drink?? Probably a situation that at least make you raise eyebrow but people can indeed show self-censorship failures deep into an alcohol related party.
Fortunately, ethanol is highly soluble in water and should leave the body via metabolism over time so long term side effects are unlikely unless it involves liver cirrhosis or some other chronic disease of which regular heavy consumption could cause by lowering inhibition threshold for lifestyle change which again carries obvious health implications like stroke,heart attacks,dementia etc.
Treatment of Ethanol Toxicity
If someone shows serious ethanol-related symptoms such as loss of consciousness/respiratory distress/cardiac toxicity first responders need to dial 911 immediately as etoh directly poisons cells not just tissues only acting passively filtrating out urine/ exhalation with no curative therapy available at home whatsoever beyond supportive care explaining why ambulance sirens loom large around areas with bars/or social gatherings where drinks are served(Excuse me bartender!!)
In more severe cases may warrant intervention include medical management techniques e.g.hemodialysis/Sodium bicarb infusion to curb acidosis or IV glucose supplementation after enteral intubations if necessary for airway maintenance while reversing coma/pulmonary ventilation controls.Regular blood draw monitoring electrolytes liver function tests(ALT) coagulation status INR are some common measures taken during treatment period.
Fourth warning sign: Oops Wrong Bottle!
Have you ever reached for your glass bottle of water waiting bedside and accidentally taking a quaff from half-full glass whiskey bottom near it?! There’s no shame in asking the tox team a question assuming its done inhospital environment,but drinking alchohol-containing mouthwash,cleaning solutions,perfumes & cosmetics or fuelantifreeze on purpose thinking its safe actually hard-solvening alkanes/&aromatics that can damage brain tissues or cause seizures.
Prevention
Obviously, the best way to avoid showing up on a toxicology report due to ethanol is to limit your consumption- which means being aware of how much you’re drinking and sticking to moderation. Having designated drivers -people who didnt partake in alcohol – when going out or any other form arranged transportation where intoxicated driver/party goer aren’t behind steering wheel should make us all accountable members of society especially considering added substance abuse related morbidity/mortality rates are associated with alcohol becoming bigger burden for emergency medicine.
but lets face it once everyone imbibes something funny happens i.e., someones starts singing the national anthem off-key seconds before puking so loud nearby lightbulb pops(5$ on Red White & Blue!!).
- Remember; too much of a good thing is never really that good for anyone!
Enough Booze For The Day?
Well, if you’ve made it this far through an humorous article about ethyl-alcohol-induced toxicity then maybe its time to put down the bottle! Whether ethanol shows up in your toxicology report for fun, humor or nefarious reasons!, just remember our above warnings/home treatment/prevention methods If encountering variety etoh problems; also seek professional guidance It’s always better safe than sorry Cheers (and not as yet To your health)!