How do stress and alcohol consumption affect GI function?
ALCOHOL ABUSE
Mr. Wilko is a 40-year-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 stress. An economic downturn in the housing industry has reduced the need for 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 records 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.
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 number of drinks to be considered social drinking?
Why does Mr. Wilko continue to increase his alcohol intake?
What changes in liver pathology and function can Mr. Wilko expect if he continues to drink large amounts of alcohol?
Mr. Wilko complains to his wife that all the stress is causing “indigestion.” How do stress and alcohol consumption affect GI function?
Why is Mr. Wilko at greater risk of physical trauma?
By the due date assigned, submit your initial response(s) to the above questions to the Discussion Area as a Word Document. Your responses should clarify your understanding of the topic. They should be your own, original and free from plagiarism. Use correct medical terminology, spelling, and grammar.
Mr. Wilko states he is a social drinker and “can stop at any time.” How accurate is his self-assessment?
Mr. Wilko assessment is not accurate at all, he is addicted to alcohol and it is presenting a stress factor as the cause of his drinking to continue to gradually increase. Mr. Wilko drank while working so the habit of drinking was there before he was terminated from his job. I don’t believe a person that considers themselves a social drinker to have several beers at lunch and more beers after work. He is not happy with himself, household, or work environments. A problem several alcoholics face is admitting their problem, and arguing their control over being able to stop drinking when they want to. They usually are not able to stop on their own; and this is where the big problem underlies. Mr. Wilko has lost all control over his drinking and it has increased drastically as he searches for new work. Mr. Wilko’s drinking habits have taken over his ability to perform his everyday daily activities and causing a strain on his relationship with his family. Is there a defined limit for the number of drinks to be considered social drinking? Social drinkers are individuals who drink in low risk patterns. Females consist of no more than 3 drinks per sitting and for males no more than 4 drinks per sitting(Social)
Why does Mr. Wilko continue to increase his alcohol intake?
Mr. Wilko continues to increase his alcohol intake to forget his problems, forget about stressful issues that may be interfering with his life. Mr. Wilko problems seem to be getting worse, families asking for money, decreased hours(sales), decreased income, household responsibilities, and lost jobs. Mr. Wilko may use drinking as a coping mechanism for dealing with job,marital,and financial stress.
What changes in liver pathology and function can Mr. Wilko expect if he continues to drink large amounts of alcohol?
Fatty liver is one of the major problems for drinkers. The liver produces an enzyme called dehydrogenase. Dehydrogenase helps with alcohol metabolism, although an increased amount of alcohol can make this process ineffective. Liver cirrhosis or hepatitis can also occur due to consuming large amounts of alcohol. Cirrhosis is where scarring of the liver from dead hepatocytes and inflammation and repairs of dying hepatocytes in the liver. When this happens it interferes with the essential liver functions such as cleaning and transforming our body from harmful substances to nutrients and proteins. Hepatitis is a result of inflamed hepatocytes. The inflammation lowers the ability of the hepatocytes to regenerate due to the alteration of increased fats in the liver and protein(Social)
Mr. Wilko complains to his wife that all the stress is causing “indigestion.” How do stress and alcohol consumption affect GI function?
Alcohol causes damage to the lining of the esophagus and stomach. Mr. Wilko’s excessive drinking is probably already affecting the production of gastric acids to the stomach. Excessive alcohol consumption interferes with the muscle movements of the intestines causing indigestion.
Why is Mr. Wilko at greater risk of physical trauma?
I believe Mr. Wilko is at greater risk of developing a liver disease causing a sudden attack of tiredness and weakness or liver failure causing the liver to shut down. I feel he can also get into a car accident driving home from work after drinking during lunch at work.
References:
“Social Drinkers, Problem Drinkers and Alcoholics” Retrieved from www.psychologytoday.com
“Alcohol Abuse” Retrieved from www.familydoctor.org
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