Alcohol poisoning increases during Tet and things to know

Every time Tet comes, alcohol poisoning becomes a worrying health problem.

At the end of the year, when parties, meetings and summaries are frequent, the risk of alcohol poisoning increases, especially in cases of drinking fake alcohol, alcohol mixed with alcohol or poor quality alcohol.

Dr. Nguyen Kim Son is consulting a patient about alcohol poisoning.

According to Dr. Nguyen Kim Son, former Director of the Poison Control Center at Bach Mai Hospital and currently working at An Viet Hospital, alcohol poisoning during Tet can increase sharply compared to other times of the year.

The main reason is the large amount of alcohol and beer consumed at parties, festivals, or even at New Year's gatherings. In addition to drinking alcohol that is not of guaranteed quality, there are also some types of alcohol containing industrial alcohol, or alcohol soaked with medicinal herbs of unknown origin.

Dr. Nguyen Kim Son warns that alcohol poisoning not only occurs when drinking too much, but also when using fake alcohol or alcohol mixed with industrial alcohol.

According to him, when someone is drunk or poisoned, family members need to monitor closely, avoid letting the patient fall into a coma or experience vomiting that causes choking on the lungs, or falling and causing injury. These are situations that can lead to serious consequences if not treated promptly.

Besides drinking too much alcohol, poisoning also occurs when people accidentally drink alcohol of unknown origin or handmade or homemade alcohol.

One of the main causes of serious alcohol poisoning is industrial alcohol (methanol) mixed in with alcohol. Methanol, when entering the body, is converted into formic acid and formaldehyde, causing serious damage to the liver, kidneys and nervous system, and can even lead to blindness or death.

Some cases of alcohol poisoning during Tet are also related to drinking alcohol soaked with animals and plants of unknown effects such as snakes, bear paws, water chestnuts, and ant eggs. These types of alcohol are very dangerous and can lead to unpredictable consequences.

To limit the risk of alcohol poisoning, especially during Tet, people need to follow these principles: Drink alcohol in moderation: Do not drink too much, avoid drinking on an empty stomach. Men should not drink more than 3 units of alcohol per day (1 unit of alcohol is equivalent to 150ml of wine, 50ml of spirits or 1 can of beer). For women, this number is 2 units.

Choose wine with a clear origin: Buy wine from reputable establishments, with clear labels and expiration dates. Avoid buying wine from places of unknown origin or craft wines that do not guarantee quality.

Avoid drinking alcohol mixed with industrial alcohol: Methanol (industrial alcohol) is an extremely dangerous substance, if not handled properly can cause poisoning and death. Make sure the alcohol you use is quality alcohol and produced properly.

Eat well before and after drinking alcohol: Avoid drinking alcohol on an empty stomach, as this will increase the risk of poisoning and hypoglycemia, leading to symptoms such as dizziness and convulsions. Eat foods with sugar and starch such as rice, potatoes or milk to keep blood sugar balanced.

Monitor the drunk person: If the drinker shows signs of poisoning (loss of vision, coma, continuous vomiting), take them immediately to a medical facility for timely emergency care.

In particular, if methanol poisoning is suspected, symptoms may not appear immediately and may take up to 24 hours to manifest, so close monitoring is required.

The problem of counterfeit and smuggled alcohol during Tet is always a big concern, especially when parties are taking place frequently. A recent incident in Hanoi when authorities inspected a restaurant in Chuong My district discovered more than 500 liters of handmade colored alcohol of unknown origin. This alcohol was mixed from unknown ingredients, posing a potential risk of poisoning.

Authorities are stepping up inspection and control of alcohol production and trading, especially craft alcohol.

Ms. Tran Viet Nga, Director of the Department of Food Safety (Ministry of Health), said that authorities need to implement strong measures to inspect and trace the origin of wine batches in circulation, and strictly handle acts of counterfeiting, imitation or using prohibited ingredients in wine production.

Source: https://baodautu.vn/ngo-doc-ruou-gia-tang-dip-tet-va-nhung-luu-y-can-biet-d242699.html