Adverse hematologic effects of alcohol.
Alcohol can interfere with the production of new blood cells--RBCs, granulocytes, and platelets; the ability of the host to resist infection; and normal hemostasis. Appreciation of the mechanisms behind this interference and the relative incidence and clinical patterns of each abnormality can be important in the management of affected patients. A limited history, physical examination, and a few screening tests should allow identification of persons who may have difficulty with anesthesia, infection, bleeding, and wound healing because of alcohol's hematologic toxicity.
D000437:Alcoholism / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications* / Q000276:immunology; D000748:Anemia, Macrocytic / Q000209:etiology; D001778:Blood Coagulation Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology; D006098:Granulocytes / Q000502:physiology; D006402:Hematologic Diseases / Q000209:etiology*; D006410:Hematopoiesis; D006487:Hemostasis; D006801:Humans; D009748:Nutrition Disorders / Q000209:etiology