Alcohol And Seizures: The Different Triggers To Adverse Reactions

 

Drinking alcohol has various effects on people including seizures. These are characterized by uncontrolled muscle spasms that can be frightening for person himself as well as those who are witness to it. A seizure can occur in different ways. It can occur due to alcohol poisoning, withdrawal or intoxication. Each of them will require unique treatment.

Poisoning

Alcohol can be toxic when consumed in massive doses over a short period. The body will not have time to process it and will be overwhelming with the quantity. This kind of binge drinking should be avoided by people who are not used to it. The strength or concentration of the alcohol in the drinks is significant as well. Refer to the proof or percentage of content on the label. Hard drinks, even in small amounts, may be enough to cause seizures in some individuals. Patients may also experience other symptoms including fainting spells, pale skin, vomiting, confusion, and irregular breathing. The worst case scenario would be death.

Withdrawal

People who are trying to move on from the habit may also find themselves having seizures. In a way, it's similar to binge drinking in that it also overwhelms the body but in reverse. This usually happens to people who are used to regular massive alcohol consumption that suddenly cut themselves off completely from drinking. The body craves its usual dose and succumbs to seizures because it cannot get its fix. The person has already developed a physical dependence and is now suffering from a grand mal seizure. Muscle contractions and the lack of consciousness can last for up to 20 seconds. Some might also experience hand tremors, anxiety, hallucinations, insomnia, nausea, and elevated heart rate.

Intolerance

Lastly, some episodes of seizure may be brought about by alcohol intolerance. It is a form of allergy to the substance so it only affects certain people. Symptoms can be quickly apparent upon consumption and are usually mild. Many will find their faces reddening. Others will experience nasal congestion. Headaches, heartburn, nausea and elevated heart rate are common. Seizures may happen if a sensitive person consumes large quantities.

How Casual Marijuana Usage Affects The Brain

Any kind of drug consumption can damage the body and other vital organs.

Marijuana is a brown, green, or gray mix of dried, crumbled leaves. It can also be eaten in food. It makes you feel relaxed, sleepy, silly and happy as well. In some cases it makes you feel scared and nervous.

Some slang names for marijuana are: Boom, Herb, Grass, Pot and Weed.

Marijuana, if even consumed in a limited quantity and casually, will have adverse effects on the brain. The nucleus accumbens and amygdala are the parts of the brain where abnormalities have been reported in those who consume marijuana casually. These regions of the brain are responsible for motivation, making decisions and processing emotions. This part of the brain is a delicate part and one needs to avoid doing things that may produce harm here. Depression, bi-polar disorders and anxiety are a few things that may result from even casual use of marijuana.

To measure the effect of using marijuana, a study was performed on patients between the age of 18 and 25. There were 40 patients in total. Half of these were marijuana users while others were regular under control subjects. The first group consumed marijuana on a varied scale from low to high. The study concluded that the brains of those which consumed marijuana in high volumes differed significantly from those who did not consume marijuana at all.

The two parts of the brain discussed earlier had seen significant changes once the subjects consumed marijuana. The volume, density and shape of these parts were all affected depending on the intake of marijuana.

Detailed studies are still to be performed and are underway to determine the effects of marijuana use for the long term users. How would the parts of the brain respond when marijuana is used over a length of time? What are the effects of the changes in the brain on the behavior and physiology of the individual under the effect.

Researchers at Harvard Medical School also performed the study and obtained similar results. However, the young generation thinks at this point that marijuana usage in moderation does not affect their health, which is a wrong assumption.