Week 4 Discussion

BIO2015 Human Pathophysiology SU03

Alcohol Abuse

Mr. Wilko is a 40yr old salesperson with a wife and three teenage children. He has recently begun to have a beer at lunch and a few drinks after work to reduce his work related begin to have a beer at lunch and a few drinks after work to reduce his work related stress. An economic downturn in the housing industry has reduced the need for a new home appliances and his income and sales record has been affected. Several other salespeople have been laid off at his firm. He has been told that if his sales and attendance record do not improve he will be fired. He and his wife are constantly arguing about finances and the children’s increasing demands for money. His drinking has increased to several beers at lunch and continued drinking after dinner. When he returns to work with alcohol on his breath, he is dismissed from his job. He continues to consume alcohol during the day as he attempts a job search. His wife is very concerned, as are his teenage children.
1. Mr. Wilko states he is a social drinker and “can stop at any time.” How accurate is his self assessment? Is there a defined limit for safe drinking?

2. Why does Mr. Wilko continue to increase his alcohol intake? Is there a physiologic reason?

3. What changes in liver function can Mr. Wilko expect if he continues to drink large amounts of alcohol? Note the term FUNCTION. A good way to answer this question is to describe the liver function and the resulting symptom when it is disturbed.

4. Mr. Wilko complains to his wife that al the stres is causing “indigestion.” How does alcohol consumption affect GI function? What is the most likely disorder that Mr. Wilko refers to as “indigestion.”

Alcohol Abuse be sure to include a alcohol screening test such as AUD (alcohol use disorder)

Look over information from the book Pathophysiology: introductory Concepts and Clinical Perspectives CH. 6

This common and enormously costly disease (medically, socially,legally, and financially) deserves your attention. Screening tests like CAGE and AUDIT have made some inroads into the diagnosis but alcohol abuse in the U.S. is increasing and remains an underlying cause for premature death from numerous hepatobiliary and gastrointestinal disorders, as well as from cardiovascular, neurological, and psychiatric afflictions. A recent study indicates that no amount of alcohol is safe although modest amounts of red wine may play some roles in cardiovascular disease prevention. It’s role in auto accidents and other trauma (falls, fight, burns, drowning, suicide, and homicide) and social dysfunction (divorce, domestic and child abuse, poverty homelessness, and additional drug abuse) cannot be overstated. Please try to understand the pathophysiologic basis for alcohol addiction and withdrawal symptoms and mechanism of alcohol hepatic toxicity. It is not enough to say that alcohol is toxic to the liver and may cause indigestion. Why and how are what is required in your assignment. Knowledge of alcohol absorption and metabolism is also important. You should also be aware of diagnostic measures, frug therapy and rehabilitation management, including cognitive and behavioral therapy.

Be sure to include a reference and free of pl