Alcohol and conscious level.
Many patients presenting to the Emergency Medical Services have recently consumed alcohol. This may profoundly affect their behaviour, conscious level and response to illness and treatment. The blood alcohol level (BAL) is of little use in the evaluation of these responses. Abnormal conscious level should never be ascribed to alcohol intoxication alone. It is only a diagnosis of exclusion. The most commonly associated conditions are head injury, cerebro-vascular incidents, hypoglycaemia and other drug intoxications.
Cartlidge
D
D
Accident and Emergency Department, Withington Hospital, University Hospital of South Manchester, West Didsbury, UK.
Redmond
A D
AD
D000434:Alcoholic Beverages / Q000009:adverse effects*; D002561:Cerebrovascular Disorders / Q000150:complications; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000209:etiology*; D003244:Consciousness Disorders / Q000209:etiology*; D006259:Craniocerebral Trauma / Q000150:complications; D064420:Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions; D004632:Emergency Medical Services; D006801:Humans; D007003:Hypoglycemia / Q000150:complications