Premium Essay

Alcoholism and Malnutrition

In:

Submitted By robertandk
Words 1842
Pages 8
Alcoholism and Malnutrition
International Nutrition: The World Food Crisis
FSNU-201
April 21, 2013

Alcoholism and Malnutrition
Malnutrition is a condition that is caused by an imbalance between what someone eats and the nutrients that they need to maintain good health and proper body function. (Mandal, n.d.) Not eating enough food to maintain proper body function, or eating an imbalanced diet that does not provide the nutrients needed to maintain a balanced level of health, will cause a person to become malnourished. (Mandal, n.d.) In order to stay healthy, individuals need to consume foods from a number of different food groups including carbohydrates, proteins, fats, dairy and a minimum of five daily portions of fruits and vegetables which contain many of the essential vitamins and minerals. (McGuire & Beerman, 2009, p. 331) Anyone can become malnourished if they do not consume the necessary amount of nutrients to fulfill their nutritional needs, or if they have an unhealthy diet such as those, who for example, misuse alcohol. Many studies show that people who misuse alcohol can eventually become malnourished due to the fact that alcohol contains just enough calories to curb hunger, but it does not contain the necessary nutrients that are required to stay healthy. As a result, alcoholics often suffer from a number of serious health conditions including damage to internal organs such as the liver, heart and the brain. (Casa Palmera Staff, 2010)
Someone may ask the question, “What is considered to be excessive drinking or alcohol abuse?” According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, at-risk drinking for men is more than 4 drinks a day or more than 14 drinks a week; at-risk drinking for women is more than 3 drinks a day or more than 7 drinks a week. (Casa Palmera Staff, 2010) Alcoholism affects the body in many different ways and

Similar Documents

Free Essay

Drugs

...Late Stage Symptoms of alcoholism The late stage symptoms in alcoholism clearly demonstrate the extent of the condition and how a person behaves when going through them. They include physical, psychological, behavioral and social symptoms that the person reveals in terms of control and some of the diseases that develop. Physical: there are biological changes which face the alcoholic in the late phase. The deteriorative or late phase of alcoholism is best recognized as the position at which bodily damage arising from the toxic consequences is evident. At this time, the alcoholic hosts a number of ailments (Rehm 138). The person may become extremely ill, destitute and mentally confused. Some of the diseases that present during the late alcoholism stage are epilepsy, diabetes and delirium tremens. In addition, due to constant drinking, the person may also suffer from liver cirrhosis, heart failure, malnutrition, brain damage, respiratory and fatty liver. Psychological: Alcohol addiction results in some serious psychological symptoms during the late stage. The patient at this time may have dementia and the fact that the person cannot be able to carry out daily operations without alcohol in their system (Rehm 139). As said earlier, in the first stage, the body is tolerant to alcohol, and in the second stage, the patient has to continue consuming alcohol minimize the withdrawal symptoms and the last change usually occurs without the knowledge of the person. Behavioral: during the...

Words: 704 - Pages: 3

Premium Essay

Alcoholics Anonymous the Truth About Alcoholism

...March 2013 Alcoholics Anonymous the Truth about Alcoholism Alcoholism is the addiction to consuming alcoholic drinks. Just like any other addiction it is fostered by the regular consumption of alcohol. It is not wrong to have an occasional drink in a social event or to have a little wine with dinner but when it reaches to the point where the individual cannot go a day without alcohol in his system then there is a problem. Alcohol is a drug like any other but it’s the most popular and accepted drug in the entire world. It is legal to citizens above eighteen years to drink alcohol and it is very accessible to even teenagers. Consumption of alcohol is not a new thing, it has been there for centuries and many new brands are being produced every year. However, those many years ago, our fore fathers knew the restrictions when it came to taking alcohol. They did not over do it and they consumed alcohol mainly during social events hence they did not become addicted to it.  In our society today, any time is a good time to take alcohol. Teenagers, young adults, adults and even old people are all taking alcohol at an alarming rate. They are doing it oblivious to the fact that they can become addicted. Why are there so many alcoholics in the world today? How does it affect them and the people around them? What can be done to cure our society out of this vice? We answer all these questions today. Stress and depression leads to alcoholism. “Alcohol does not answer the question but it helps...

Words: 1287 - Pages: 6

Free Essay

Malnutrition

...PBH 101 Assignment on malnutrition Submitted by: Saadat Islam ID # 1510987030 Submitted to: Yamin Tauseef Jahangir Malnutrition basically indicates lack of nutrition which is caused by not having enough to eat or not eating the right things. According to The World Health Organization (WHO) malnutrition is the contributor of child mortality rate by 40% all over the globe, and it has been found that malnourished children tend to grow up having less worse health and lower educational achievements in life, and even end up having smaller babies comparatively. People who are likely to be at highest risk of malnutrition are: elderly people, people who have low income and the ones who have an eating disorder. Some of the symptoms of malnutrition include loss of fat, depression, highly susceptible to feeling cold, taking longer to recover from injuries and infections and sometimes in serious cases the skin may become thin, dry, inelastic, pale and cold. The children who suffer from malnutrition may experience slow behavioral development and even mental retardation may occur in extreme cases. Poor diet may lead to a vitamin or mineral deficiency, among other essential substances. There are many causes of malnutrition, however, the ones in developed countries are a lot different than the ones in poorer nations. The causes in developed countries include:1) poor diet ( where the person does not eat the right kind of food thus not getting enough nutrition) 2) Mental health problem...

Words: 487 - Pages: 2

Premium Essay

Alcoholism And Alcohol Abuse Essay

...Alcohol abuse and alcoholism are diseases that are plaguing the nation, due to the fact that alcohol is not seen as a dangerous substance, though it can be very dangerous for your health.. According to ncadd.org, about 1 in every 12 adults is affected by alcohol abuse or alcoholism. Alcoholism and alcohol abuse are often confused as the same thing, but they are not. Alcohol abuse is simply the overconsumption of alcohol over a long period of time. Alcoholism and alcohol abuse are different because alcoholism is when the body starts to become physically dependent on alcohol forming an actual addiction. Short term effects of alcohol are not incredibly damaging, unlike the long term effects, which can wreak havoc on the body. While under the...

Words: 596 - Pages: 3

Premium Essay

Alcoholism

...Alcoholism Alcoholism refers to a chronic disease where your body becomes dependent on alcohol. Being an alcoholic is not limited to gender, race, or age. At any time while drinking people can form a dependence to alcohol. To fully understand the meaning of being an alcoholic, what it does to the body, and the recovery processes that follow, it is important to remember that alcoholism is an addiction and can affect anyone. The DSM IV defines alcoholism as a maladaptive pattern of alcohol use, leading to clinically significant impairment or distress, as manifested by three or more of the seven criteria, occurring at any time in the same 12-month period. Some of the major criteria are; building a tolerance to alcohol, withdrawal symptoms arise after not drinking, and it take more and more alcohol to feel the effects over time (DSM IV 1994). Now these are just the top three criteria but if a person has three out of the seven then they are considered an alcoholic even if they themselves do not want to accept that title. Some people think that it is very shameful to have a title of addict because of the negative stigma American society puts on that word. Men might feel emasculated, women might feel weak, and teens fighting this illness might be overwhelmed and confused because their peers put so much pride on being able to drink more than each other. So many phrases are becoming popular among teenagers that promote excess drinking under 21. Some of these phrases include; being...

Words: 888 - Pages: 4

Premium Essay

Mental Health

...Alcoholism 1 Alcoholism is the continuous or excessive use of alcohol with associated pathologic results. Alcoholism is characterized by constant or periodic intoxication, although the pattern of consumption varies, individuals admitted for the first time to an alcoholism treatment center typically have been consuming approximately 3–4 oz (80–100 g) of pure alcohol per day, corresponding to about seven to nine drinks or bottles of beer or glasses of wine. Studies have shown that problem drinking in these populations starts at about 2 oz/day (60 g/day), that is, four to five drinks per day, and that these are consumed in rapid succession, leading to intoxication on three or more days per week. Individuals who consume these levels of alcohol have also a greater than average risk of developing alcoholic liver cirrhosis. However, the levels should not be taken as absolute, since they can vary greatly in different individuals, according to body weight and other factors. The symptoms and consequences associated with severe alcohol consumption also vary greatly; that is, in some individuals only a few may be present. These may consist of the development of physical dependence manifested as a state of physical discomfort or hyperexcitability (tremors or shakes) that are reduced by continued consumption; the development of tolerance to the effects of alcohol, which leads individuals to increase their consumption; accidents while intoxicated; blackouts, characterized by loss of memory...

Words: 882 - Pages: 4

Free Essay

Concept Map

...Imbalanced Nutrition . Imbalanced Nutrition . Imbalanced Nutrition . Imbalanced Nutrition . Imbalanced Nutrition . Imbalanced Nutrition G A S T R I T I S G A S T R I T I S ALLER: PCN ALLER: PCN Patient R. N Patient R. N 2. Anxiety 2. Anxiety 3. Imbalanced Nutrition 3. Imbalanced Nutrition * Monitor for signs of malnutrition: brittle hair, bruises, dry skin, pale skin and conjunctiva and muscle wasting * Consult with dietician regarding diet * Utilize nutritional screening tool * Compare usual food intake with food guide pyramid * Monitor for signs of malnutrition: brittle hair, bruises, dry skin, pale skin and conjunctiva and muscle wasting * Consult with dietician regarding diet * Utilize nutritional screening tool * Compare usual food intake with food guide pyramid 1. Acute Pain 1. Acute Pain R/t Inadequate intestinal absorption of nutrients R/t Inadequate intestinal absorption of nutrients Alcoholism, Vitamin deficiencies, 2 duodenal ulcers, 4 episodes of pancreatitis and recurrent gastritis Alcoholism, Vitamin deficiencies, 2 duodenal ulcers, 4 episodes of pancreatitis and recurrent gastritis Tylenol (Acetaminophen) 650mg IV Tylenol (Acetaminophen) 650mg IV .9 NS with Multi vitamin additive 100ml/hr IV .9 NS with Multi vitamin additive 100ml/hr IV Ativan (Lorazepam) 2mg IV push NOW...

Words: 721 - Pages: 3

Free Essay

Hello

...amnesia refers to the inability to create new memories due to brain damage, while long-term memories from before the event remain intact. The brain damage can be caused by the effects of long-term alcoholism, severe malnutrition, stroke, head trauma, encephalitis, surgery, Wernicke-Korsakoff Syndrome, cerebrovascular events, anoxia or other trauma.[12] The two brain regions related with this condition are medial temporal lobe and medial diencephalon. Anterograde amnesia cannot be treated with pharmacological methods due to neuronal loss.[13] However, treatment exists in educating patients to define their daily routines and after several steps they begin to benefit from their procedural memory. Likewise, social and emotional support is critical to improving quality of life for anterograde amnesia sufferers.[13] * Retrograde amnesia refers to inability to recall memories before onset of amnesia. One may be able to encode new memories after the incident. Retrograde is usually caused by head trauma or brain damage to parts of the brain besides the hippocampus. The hippocampus is responsible for encoding new memory. Episodic memory is more likely to be affected than semantic memory. The damage is usually caused by head trauma, cerebrovascular accident, stroke, tumor, hypoxia, encephalitis, or chronic alcoholism. People suffering from retrograde amnesia are more likely to remember general knowledge rather than specifics. Recent memories are less likely to be recovered, but older memories will...

Words: 1381 - Pages: 6

Premium Essay

Alocoholism

...Montressa Beatty Emergency Procedures Dr. Sam Hakim Alcoholism Define alcohol abuse. Alcohol abuse is when one drinks alcoholic beverages in excess, whether on individual occasions (binge drinking) or as a regular practice. It is said that almost any amount of alcohol use may be legally considered as “alcohol abuse”, although it does depend on the local laws. Define binge drinking. Binge drinking is a seriously dangerous habit or practice of consuming large amounts of alcoholic beverages in a single setting. A person that practices binge drinking is at risk of causing serious harm, including alcohol poisoning. Define alcoholism. Alcoholism is when an individual physically becomes dependant on alcohol to the extent that stopping the use of the alcoholic beverages will bring on withdrawal symptoms. This term may also refer to ingrained drinking habits that cause health problems as well as social problems. The dependence on the alcohol causes many serious side effects on the brain, liver, and other organs of the body. What are the risk factors for developing alcoholism? There are several risk factors for alcoholism such as: * An individual drinking too much on a regular basis for an extended period of time. * Most people who begin drinking at an early age are at a higher risk for developing a dependency for alcohol. * Women are less likely to become dependent on alcohol than men, although women are at a greater risk for developing medical complications...

Words: 1393 - Pages: 6

Premium Essay

Substance Abuse

...Substance abuse is the destructive pattern of use of any substance for mood altering purposes, which leads to addiction and many other potentially serious problems (NCDHHS). Substance abuse is not limited to the abuse of drugs; it also includes inhalants, alcohol and solvents. In reality, nearly any substance can be abused (NCDHHS). According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), the abuse of illicit drugs and psychotherapeutics has increased; with 9.2 % of the population over the age twelve having abused some substance. Not surprisingly, there has been a rapid increase, (due to its easy access) in the use of marijuana (National Institute on Drug Abuse, 2014). Whilst there is no definitive cause of substance abuse, there are a myriad of factors that can trigger it. Socioeconomic status, family history, child abuse, depression, low self-esteem, stress; these are but a few reasons that can trigger substance abuse in an individual. Having relationships with people who use abuse substances, or accept their use as normal can also lead a person to develop substance abuse issues (Robinson, Smith &Saisan, 2014). There is no precise way to determine if someone will or does abuse substances, but there are some things one can look for and identify as indicators of substance abuse. Lack of interest in activities, depression, taking unnecessary risks, becoming drunk or high regularly, preplanning substance abuse, needing more and more substances to get drunk or high and blacking...

Words: 1967 - Pages: 8

Premium Essay

Alcoholism

...Alcoholism Alcoholism is a treatable disease and many treatment programs and approaches are available to support alcoholics who have decided to get help. The idea approach is to help people understand how much their alcohol use is harming their life and those around them. One important thing to remember; recovering from alcohol addiction is not an easy task and there is no medical cure only management. Many people with alcohol problems do not recognize they have a drinking problem. Regardless of how someone is diagnosis as alcohol dependent or how they realize they have a serious drinking problem, the first step is a sincere desire to get help. Once you have made that commit to yourself, the second step to refrain from alcoholic drinks. Almost all alcoholics who have been chronic drinkers will have some experience of withdraw; there is no magic pill that will cure alcoholism. Withdrawal can be mild to life threating. From mild body shakes, to confusion, seizures, chest pain, sweating, your eyes can become sensitive to light, you may begin to feel as if something is crawling on your skin or see things that are not there, you can lose control of your bowel and bladder also your blood pressure and heart rate will increase. During your withdrawal stage, depending on symptoms, the doctor can give you medication to help you through the withdrawal period, such as Ativan, Librium and Serax.The process of alcohol clearing (detoxification) takes three to seven days, after that the alcohol...

Words: 1049 - Pages: 5

Premium Essay

Health Officer

...developed, industrialized countries, the following groups of people are at highest risk of malnutrition. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the number of people globally who were malnourished stood at 923 million in 2007, an increase of over 80 million since the 1990-92 base period. In 2006, more than 36 million people died of hunger or diseases due to deficiencies in micronutrients; accounted for 58% of the total mortality in the same year. Under nutrition contributes to almost 35% of the estimated 7.6 million deaths under-5 deaths; consequently affecting the future health and socioeconomic development and productive potential of the society. The malnourished are unable to live a normal life, are less likely to fulfill their potential as human beings and cannot contribute fully to the development of their own countries. Nutrition is the provision of adequate energy and nutrients (in terms of amount and mix and timelines) to the cells for them to perform their physiological function of (growth, reproduction, defence, repair e.t.c). The World Health Organization defines malnutrition as "the cellular imbalance between supply of nutrients & energy and the body's demand for them to ensure growth, maintenance, and specific functions”. Malnutrition comprises both; Under nutrition and Over nutrition The World Health Organization (WHO) says that malnutrition is by far the largest contributor to child mortality globally, currently present in 45 percent...

Words: 5815 - Pages: 24

Free Essay

What Is Foetal Alcohol Syndrome (Fas)?

...Table in content What is Foetal alcohol syndrome (FAS)? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 How is FAS characterized in the community? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Describe how babies with FAS are affected? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . In your view what are the symptoms of long-term alcohol use? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . What kind of role has the South African context played in FAS? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . REFRENCES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . This assignment will research Foetal Alcohol Syndrome in light of the South African context. Attention will be given to understanding what FAS is; how is FAS characterized; the impact that alcohol has on brain development; and the effect that FAS has on a baby with the diagnosis. Furthermore, the role that the South African context plays in FAS will be explored. What is Foetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) The foetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) is a pattern of physical malformations observed in the offspring of women who drink alcohol during pregnancy. (By Abel, Ernest Psychological Bulletin, Vol 87(1), Jan 1980, 29-50.) ----1. Fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) is a serious health problem that tragically affects its victims and their families, but that is completely preventable. Causing...

Words: 819 - Pages: 4

Premium Essay

Alcholism

...Alcohol plays too significant a role in society today and should be an after thought as opposed to the most essential addition to any social event. Alcohol creates numerous social, economic, and health problems that could very easily be stopped if it played a less influential role in every day events. The use of alcohol is prominent in, but not limited to three social circles that include students, family groups, and religious gatherings. Experts have much to say about alcohol use and abuse in these three categories, including all of the negative aspects of drinking. Social drinking is a common occurrence around America. Whether it is after work or after a football game, white collar or blue, two-thirds of the American population sit down at least once a week to enjoy an alcoholic beverage (Med.unc.edu). Many of these people do not realize that drinking is what leads to uncontrolled behavior, drunk driving, and in the long run, addiction. They are thinking only of the short-term effects, not the negative long-term consequences. People who regularly turn to alcohol eventually begin to neglect their families and other responsibilities, consequently wrecking the lives of loved ones and their own as well. While the lasting negative effects of alcohol use are spewed daily through the media, the problems will not stop until society completely understands how alcohol can indeed pose a serious threat to the nations social welfare. Alcohol has an adverse effect on the economy. The...

Words: 3325 - Pages: 14

Premium Essay

Alcoholism

...EVELYN M. PONGYAN IV-SINGAPORE MRS.SACOPLA INTRODUCTION Alcohol may be the world's oldest known drug. Fermented grain, fruit juice and honey have been used to make alcohol (ethyl alcohol or ethanol) for thousands of years. The production of products containing alcohol has become big business in today's society and the consumption and abuse of alcohol has become a major public health problem. The effects of alcohol abuse range from a mild hang over to mass destruction, disease and deaths on a huge scale. Alcohol use in moderation has little or no ill effects either for the user or those around them. But the misuse of what has become one of the world's most dangerous drugs takes a devastating toll on both the drinker and on society as a whole. Most agree that the occasional alcoholic drink never hurt anyone. The real danger lies in binge drinking and the development of a tolerance to alcohol, which causes the drinker to consume every greater quantities of booze in a bid to regain that original but elusive feeling of well being. PROBLEM Attached is a comprehensive community-based primary prevention plan for reducing high-risk and underage alcohol use in a community. Though it is important to realize that any effort to be comprehensive will always be lacking some components, the strategies/activities/tasks listed are possible examples of what could be undertaken to reduce high-risk and underage alcohol use. This plan is intended as a guide...

Words: 3921 - Pages: 16