Alcohol intoxication - Ethanol intoxication

It is a clinical syndrome produced by the consumption of alcoholic beverages (ethanol) abruptly and in high quantities > 0.5g/L.

The cause is the massive intake of ethanol in an amount higher than individual tolerance.

Its clinical manifestations will depend on individual consumption and tolerance, and may include disinhibition, impulsive behavior, loss of the ability to coordinate movements, imbalance and falls, irritability, agitation, drowsiness, headache, difficulty in speaking and walking, double vision, nausea and vomiting, incoherent language, markedly decreased level of consciousness (obtundation and coma) and muscle tone, sphincter incontinence, respiratory distress, cardiovascular shock, inhibition of the respiratory center, cardiorespiratory arrest and death.

Diagnosis should be made by clinical examination and physical examination.

Supportive treatment should be carried out in a calm and relaxed environment, using benzodiazepines if agitation is present and monitoring the level of consciousness closely. Good hydration is important and even, in chronic consumption, vitamin B1 should be administered.