alcohol, smoking and obesity sway

how do you calculate units of alcohol

units = volume in L x %

units = volume in ml x 0.% then divide by 10ml (1 unit is 10ml of pure alcohol or 8g)

what are some low risk drinking advice and short term risks of alcohol

• no more than 14 units a week

• have at least 2 days alcohol free

• dont drink during pregnancy or trying to conceive

• accidents

• violent behaviour

• unprotected sex

• alcohol poisoning after binging

• what is binging

• what is a dependent drinker

• heavy drinking over a short time period

• someone who depends on alcohol to alleviate symptoms of withdrawal

what pathologies can alcohol cause in the body/organs

• mouth, throat, liver cancer

• heart disease

• depression

• cirrhosis of the liver

• liver disease

• pancreatitis

how does alcohol affect men and women differently

• women have less body water than men

• so the concentration of alcohol in their blood stream is higher

• ADH enzyme breaks down alcohol in the liver and the lining of the stomach and women have less of this - alcohol breaks down slower

what are the two screening tests used to assess alcohol consumption

CAGE

• asks about if they feel the need to cut down, people annoyed you for your drinking, guilt, if they use it as an eye-opener

AUDIT - C (alcohol use disorders identification test)

• asks about how much consumed, often

what are some alcohol withdrawal symptoms and why do these happen

• hand tremore

• sweating

• depression

• hallucinations

• anxiety

• insomnia

they happen because alcohol is a CNS depressant so when taken away, the body becomes sensitised and excited

how is alcoholism treated

• councelling

• moderation, abstinence

• alcoholica anonymous

• medications

  • acamprosate or campral - affects the level of GABA in the brain, helps with withdrawals and craving

  • antabuse - causes bad reactions if you drink (nausea, vomiting)

  • naltrexone - stops the euphoric affects of drinking so that they are not tempted to go back to drinking

what are some physiological affects of smoking on the body

• increased pulse rate

• increased BP

• hyperglycaemia

• increased skeletal blood flow

• decreased coronary blood flow

• reduced skin temperature

• increased blood viscosity

how does nicotine work to be addictive

• produces tolerance

• increases alertness, mental efficiency

• mimics ACh in the brain causing the release of NTs like endorphins and dopamine in the reward pathway

(reward pathway in limbic system includes nucleus accumbens, ventral tegmental area VTA and prefrontal cortex)

explain the neurophysiology of nicotine

• nicotine interacts with nicotinic ACh receptors and stimulates dopaminergic transmission

• this stimulates the reward centre in the brain and elevates mood and cognitive function

• chronic stimulation of GABAergic neurons desensitises and they lose their function of inhibiting the effect of dopamine

• this reinforces addiction and cravings

• catecholamines released - NA/Adrenaline/dopamine and stimulate ANS - fight, flight

• glycogen synthesis goes up and causes free blood glucose to decreases, lipolysis and weight loss

• insulin resistance

what are some alternatives to smoking

• shisha

• e cigs

what are some government implementations for smoking

• packaging detering pictures

• tobacco tax

• smoke aware adverts

• no smoking adverts

• locking them away in shops

• nicotine ban for 2009 onwards

what are some smoking treatments

• + 2 prescriptions

• nicotine replacement treatments NRT

• gum, patches

• nasal sprays

• lozenges

• vapes

varenicline/CHAMPIX

• reduces cravings for nicotine

• blocks the reward effects of cigarettes

bupropion/ZYBAN

• treats depression and affects brain addiction centre

define obesity

medical condition where there is excess body fat accumulated to an extent where there is a negative effect on health

what is BMI

• how is it calculated

body mass index

• BMI = weight/height sq

medical conditions that can predispose to obesity: how

• hyperthyroidism

• cushings syndrome

• PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome)

• hypothalamic damage

• underactive thyroid can reduce hormone production, slowing metabolism and weight gain

• excess cortisol leads to fat accumulation (face and abdomen)

• hormonal imbalance in women can lead to abdominal weight gain

• injury to hypothalamus can disrupt hunger and satiety signals → weight gain

name some drugs that are used in obesity

• what is the name of the surgery

• wegovy

• mounjaro

• bariatric surgery (remove part of the stomach, feel full quicker)