In a patient with chronic alcoholism, what causes the pitting edema seen in the lower extremities?
Reduced oncotic pressure due to reduced serum albumin levels
Poor venous return due to blockage
Inflammatory response causing fibrotic compressions
Nephritis causing poor filtration
Hormonal changes resultant in greater water retention
In a patient with chronic alcoholism, what nutritional deficiency would cause tingling and pain in the toes, tongue, and fingers in particular?
B1 Thiamine
B2 Riboflavin
B12 Cobalamin
B3 Niacin
B7 Folic Acid
Alcohol abuse causes malnutrition because of the fibrosis of the liver leading to less metabolic efficiency, reduced GI absorption of nutrients because of pancreatic insufficiency. Damaged liver and kidney cells in turn produce defective metabolites which exacerbate the damage caused by the alcohol
T/T
T/F
F/T
F/F
Which of the following are true regarding chronic alcoholism?
Often associated with self-harm and abuse of others
Withdrawal for severe alcoholics can result in Delirium Tremens which includes agitation, hallucinations, and seizures
Can cause decreased fertility in both males and females, additionally gynecomastia in males
Can cause metaplasias and dysplasias which may in turn develop into carcinomas of the esophagus
Severe memory loss
In the liver, the kupffer cells detoxify the blood. The hepatocytes produce bile, store nutrients, phagocytose foreign matter, and make plasma proteins.
Alcohol can cause fibrosis of both the liver and pancreas. Alcohol can also cause premature atherosclerosis via elevated levels of the hormone homocysteine.
Smoking and drinking together are far worse than either on its own. This is especially true with regard to development of oropharyngeal cancers
Opioid narcotics are eliminated via bile. Cocaine's mechanism of action is to stimulate release of the neurotransmitters dopamine and norepinephrine in the central and peripheral nervous systems
