Question: What are the medical uses of alcohol?Ethyl alcohol hardens, cleanses, and cools the skin.Methyl alcohol is used as a cooling lotion to the skin, but itis extremely poisonous when inhaled or drunk and can cause blindness,nerve inflammation (neuritis), and death due to respiratory paralysis.Isopropyl alcohol is also used as a rubbing alcohol, but it hascaused acute intoxication, convulsion, coma, and death in children dueto prolonged exposure to vapors during sponging for fevers.Question: Are alcoholic beverages dangerous?Alcoholic drinks are the most commonly abused drug in the U.S.Alcohol is addictive, and its repeated use often results in the need todrink more and more to produce intoxication. Other symptoms of alcoholabuse are impaired coordination and often aggressive actions.Inflammation of the stomach lining (gastritis), vomiting, and"hangover" are almost inevitable. It is also one of the most commoncauses of hypertension (high blood pressure).

Alcohol acts as a depressant and reduces self-criticism andanxiety. The prolonged use of alcohol can cause damage to nerves(neuritis), the liver (cirrhosis), and the heart muscle(cardiomyopathy). It can also produce mental Mopping Wet Wipes deterioration (dementia)and increase a tendency toward inflammation of the pancreas(pancreatitis).

Chronic gastritis may cause a loss of appetite(anorexia), leading to malnutrition. Alcoholic drinks are rich incalories, although they have little or no nutritive value. For thisreason, heavy drinkers often have a weight problem.Question: Is it safe to drink while taking medicines?No. The effects of alcohol increase the power of drugs containedin, for example, some cough mixtures and sedative drugs, such assleeping pills, antihistamines, tranquilizers, and muscle relaxants. Asa result, one drink may have the effect of several and can causedrowsiness and drunkenness. This is dangerous and can be fatal.Question: When should alcohol be avoided?Alcohol should not be taken by epileptics because it may bringon convulsions. It should be avoided during pregnancy, by diabetics,and by persons with complaints such as gastritis.