View source for Ethanol toxicity

==Background==
*AMS that doesn't improve after few hrs is d/t alternative cause until proven otherwise
*Blood Alcohol Level
**Correlates poorly with degree of intoxication
**Rate of ETOH elimination is 15-30mg/dL/hr (depending on degree of chronic alcoholism)

==Clinical Features==
#Classic Features
##Slurred speech
##Nystagmus
##Ataxia
##N/V
##Respiratory depression
##Coma
#Other Features (if malnourished)
##Hypoglycemia
##Ketoacidosis
##Lactic acidosis

==Diagnosis==
#Blood sugar
#BAL
##Appropriate if AMS is due to unknown cause
##Not necessarily required in mild-mod intoxication or if no other abnormality suspected
#Elevated osmolar gap

==Treatment==
#GI decontamination
##Activated charcoal ineffective (ETOH is too rapidly absorbed)
#Hypoglycemia
##Give glucose immediately (do not have to wait to give thiamine first)
#"Banana Bag"
##IV form is not justified
##Likelihood of vitamin deficiency (except for thiamine) is low
##IVF does not hasten ETOH elimination

==Disposition==
*Most pts require observation only

==See Also==
*[[Alcohol Withdrawal]]
*[[Beer Potomania Syndrome]]

==Source==
*Tintinalli

[[Category:Tox]]