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There is a risk that a person with alcohol poisoning could choke on their own vomit because their gag reflexes can be inhibited by drinking too much. Treatment programs for alcohol addiction can help prevent alcohol overdose. However, finding the right healthcare professional can be difficult. Hypothermia, or having a lower body temperature than normal, is a side effect of alcohol poisoning. If the person is unconscious, turn them on their side so that they won’t choke on their vomit.
Additionally, it’s possible to choke on your own vomit when intoxicated as alcohol reduces your gag reflex, which can lead to death. However, when your alcohol levels are too high, your body responds by vomiting, often multiple times.
Clinical findings
Alcohol poisoning can result from drinking any type of alcohol, including beer, wine or liquor. As your stomach digests and absorbs alcohol, the alcohol enters your bloodstream, and your alcohol blood level begins alcohol overdose to rise. But when blood alcohol levels are high, your overwhelmed liver can’t remove the toxins quickly enough. We publish material that is researched, cited, edited and reviewed by licensed medical professionals.
In addition to procedures, alcohol overdose is also treated with fluids and medications. People who have overdosed on alcohol are often given an IV to provide fluids and other nutrients they may have lost. One common sign of alcohol poisoning is a change in mental state.
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For healthy adults, that means up to one drink a day for women of all ages and men older than age 65, and up to two drinks a day for men age 65 and younger. Because it depresses your gag reflex, this increases the risk of choking on vomit if you’ve passed out. If the person must lie down, make sure to turn his or her head to the side — this helps prevent choking. Try to keep the person awake to prevent loss of consciousness.
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- If you suspect someone has alcohol poisoning, call for emergency medical help right away.
- In the long run, this can make it much more likely that you’ll drink an amount of alcohol that will lead to overdose.
- Even small increases in BAC can decrease motor coordination, make a person feel sick, and cloud judgment.
- If you suspect an alcohol overdose and the person is unconscious, do not leave them alone.
- If a person has signs of an alcohol overdose, it is important to get them help immediately.
- By heeding the signs and calling for help as soon as possible, you could be saving a life.