What are the causes of alcoholism?
( I) Severe results
1. Repressive impact on central nervous system Ethanol is fat-soluble and can swiftly go through the membrane layer of afferent neuron in the brain and affect the cell function by acting on specific enzymes on the membrane. The repressive impact of ethanol on the main nerves, with the increase of the dose, from the cerebral cortex downward, through the limbic system, brain, knotty formation to the medulla oblongata. Excitatory results happen in small dosages as a result of ethanol’s activity on postsynaptic membrane layer benzodiazepine-Y-aminobutyric acid receptors in the mind, which prevents the repressive impacts of -aminobutyric acid (GABA) on the brain. Increased focus of ethanol in the blood act on the brain, causing ataxia; it acts on the reticular development, triggering sleepiness and coma. Exceptionally high concentration of ethanol hinders the center of the medulla oblongata, triggering respiratory system and circulatory failure.
2. Metabolic irregularity Ethanol is metabolized in the liver to produce a huge quantity of NADH, which increases the intracellular reduction and oxidation ratio (NADH/NAD), and equalize to 2-3 times of normal. Alcoholism, depending on the NADH/NAD ratio of normal metabolism can occur extraordinarily, such as raised lactate, ketone body accumulation bring about metabolic acidosis; gluconeogenesis can be obstructed hypoglycemia.
( ii) Tolerance, dependence and withdrawal syndrome
1. Resistance is a sensation of relaxation and euphoria after drinking alcohol. After continuing to consume alcohol, resistance takes place and the effect lowers, calling for a boost in the amount of alcohol eaten to achieve the original result.
2. Dependancy (dependence) So as to get a special feeling of enjoyment after alcohol consumption, the need to drink alcohol, this is mental dependence. Physical dependence refers to the duplicated alcohol consumption of alcohol that triggers the central nerves to go through specific physical and biochemical adjustments, so that alcohol needs to be existing in the body constantly to prevent the incident of an unique condition called withdrawal syndrome.
3. Withdrawal disorder After lasting alcohol consumption has formed a physical dependancy, when quit consuming alcohol or minimize the quantity of alcohol usage, the contrary signs and symptoms of alcohol addiction can occur. The device may be the withdrawal of alcohol to make sure that alcohol inhibition of GABA significantly compromised, at the same time, plasma norepinephrine concentration enhanced, the appearance of understanding nerve excitation signs and symptoms.
( III) Effects of persistent alcoholism
1. Nutritional deficiencies Each gram of ethanol in alcoholic beverages can provide 29.3 kJ (7kcal) calories, however does not have necessary nutrients such as vitamins, minerals and amino acids, therefore alcohol is a high-calorie and meta-nutrient beverage. Lowered intake of food when drinking big amounts of alcohol over a long period of time can trigger significant nutritional shortages. Vitamin B1 shortage can cause Wernicke-Korsakoff disorder, peripheral neuropathy. Some individuals have a hereditary proneness for increased need for vitamin B1, which might additionally function as a trigger for the start of the disease. Folic acid shortage can cause megaloblastic anemia. When there is chronic hunger and insufficient sugar supply, lipolysis prevails and a considerable section of acetyl CoA in the liver is synthesized into ketone bodies.
2. Poisonous impacts Ethanol has revitalizing impacts on mucous membrane layer and gland secretion, and can trigger esophagitis, gastritis and pancreatitis. Ethanol produces complimentary radicals throughout metabolism in the body, which can create lipid peroxidation of cell membrane and liver damages.
