What are the symptoms of alcohol poisoning?

Alcohol intoxication may present symptoms such as impaired judgment and coordination, slurred speech, headache, nausea and vomiting, and drowsiness. A detailed analysis is as follows:

1. Impaired judgment and coordination

Alcohol exerts an inhibitory effect on nerve cells in the brain, particularly affecting the functions of the prefrontal cortex and cerebellum. The prefrontal cortex is responsible for higher cognitive functions, including judgment, decision-making, and planning; the cerebellum mainly regulates body movement and balance.

2. Slurred speech

Alcohol affects the areas of the brain that control language function, interfering with the transmission of neural signals, which leads to uncoordinated movements of speech organs such as the tongue and lips. Patients may speak with inaccurate pronunciation, speak faster or slower than usual, and their sentences may lack coherence, making it difficult for others to understand their intended meaning.

3. Headache

Alcohol can cause blood vessels to dilate. When blood vessels in the brain expand, they may pull and press on surrounding nerves and tissues, resulting in headache. Additionally, alcohol may affect the balance of neurotransmitters in the brain, altering nerve excitability and further worsening headache symptoms.

4. Nausea and vomiting

Alcohol directly irritates the gastric mucosa, damaging its protective barrier and increasing gastric acid secretion, which can cause stomach discomfort. At the same time, alcohol can also affect normal gastrointestinal motility and digestive function, prolonging food retention in the stomach and further increasing the stomach's workload, thus causing nausea and vomiting.

5. Drowsiness

This is a symptom seen in patients with severe alcohol intoxication. Patients may exhibit cyanosis of the lips, pale face, decreased body temperature, and fall into a state of drowsiness or coma. In severe cases, it may endanger life. At this point, immediate hospitalization is required for further treatment.

If alcohol intoxication is suspected, mild cases can be managed by having the patient rest in bed and drink more warm water or honey water to promote alcohol metabolism. In extreme cases, alcohol intoxication can be life-threatening. If alcohol poisoning is suspected, immediate medical attention at a hospital is necessary.