By Edwin T. Scallon, Copyright © 1990, 1995, 2008 All Rights Reserved
ACCIDENT RECONSTRUCTION AND BAC CALCULATION PROGRAMS
Absorption of ethyl alcohol into the blood can occur through the skin and via the lungs, through the major route of taking ethyl alcohol into the body is by drinking alcoholic beverages, and also ethyl alcohol can by intravenously injected.
Ethyl alcohol taken via ingestion passes from the mouth through the esophagus and into the stomach then into the small intestine. At each point along the way ethyl alcohol can be absorbed into the blood stream. However, the majority of the ethyl alcohol is absorbed by the stomach (approximately 20%) and the small intestine (approximately 80%). In general, drinking more alcohol within a certain period of time will result in increased blood alcohol concentrations (BAC) due to more ethyl alcohol being available to be absorbed into the blood. However, there are a number of factors that can influence ethyl alcohol absorption from the gastrointestinal tract.
Gastric emptying seems to be the most important determinant of the rate of absorption of ethyl alcohol taken orally. In general the faster the gastric emptying, the more rapid absorption. Therefore, factors, which influence gastric emptying, influence absorption. One of the most important factors is the presence of food. Food delays gastric emptying and therefore delays absorption of ethyl alcohol, the type of food, whether fat, carbohydrate, or protein, does not seem to be a factor in the absorption of ethyl alcohol. Physiological factors such as strenuous physical exercise also delay gastric emptying, thus decreases ethyl alcohol absorption. Additional factors such as drugs (e.g., nicotine, marijuana, and ginseng), that modify physiological factors regulating gastric emptying also modify ethyl alcohol absorption in a predicted manner.
The rate of blood flow through the kidneys is an important determinant of the amount of filtration of the blood and absorption of substances from the blood that can take place. Various effects of alcohol have been reported including both increased and reduced blood flow.
Alcohols' effect on electrolyte balance has major implication for the satisfactory function of the cells of the body. As a prime example, the cells of the brain and particularly neurons are highly dependent upon proper amounts of sodium, potassium, chloride and calcium being available. Disruption in the proper flow and availability of these electrolytes alters the ability of the neurons to function which leads to mortifications in behavior and the ability of the brain to regulate other bodily processes.
Ethyl alcohol can induce urine flow within 20 minutes. As a result of there fluid losses the concentrations of electrolytes in the blood can change and be dramatic, particularly in cases of extreme loss of water. Ethyl alcohol appears to affect a hormone called anti diuretic hormone, which induces the kidney to conserve fluids. This effectively concentrates the urine. Ethyl alcohol decreases the ability of the body to concentrate urine, thus promotes water loss rather than allowing the water to be absorbed back into the body. As a result of this electrolyte level in the blood also rise due to less water being taken back in.
Drinking ethanol while pregnant is the same as feeding ethanol to the baby. Since ethanol freely mixes with the body water through diffusion, it is rapidly distributed into the blood. Since the mothers blood circulation is connected to that of the fetus, the alcohol is rapidly transported to the fetus to be distributed in the cells and tissues of the infant and into the fluid surround the fetus.