Cirrhosis Is Nasty

Alcoholism

The Banana Man

I’ve seen Cirrhosis and it made me swear off the booze. One of my lifelong friends and my former business partner is an alcoholic. His name is John and he promised to stay on the wagon to entice me to work with him, and it proved to be the biggest mistake of my life. He worked out of his house on the West Coast and I was in Chicago, so it was difficult to see what he was up to every day.His wife had  died after a short illness and he took it badly, and I suspected he was drinking again. Those fears were confirmed when I received a phone call four or five months after his wife’s passing from a mutual friend who said John had been taken to the hospital after a binge.He said John had only a fifty per cent chance of making it.

I hopped on the next plane and got to California and took a cab to the hospital. I was astounded by what I saw. My friend was the color of a fresh banana–sort of like the Incredible Hulk but the color of French’s mustard. He was babbling incomprehensible phrases. He recognized me but quickly forgot I was there. A group of our Bay Area friends met at the hospital. The doctors said he was is very bad shape. One pulled me aside and said my friend had Cirrohisis, which wasn’t a surprise from his appearance.His liver had shut down–liver failure, and as I learned over the next few days, when your liver goes, so does everything else in your body, The liver controls most of your major organs, at least in a dependant way. His kidneys were failing and he had to go on dialysis treatments three times a day.

Bedside Vigil

Most of the next week he really didn’t know where he was. The doctors said the next few days were critical but that he probaby wouldn’t make it six months even if he survived this immediate crisis. I literally spent thirty minutes talking to him one morning trying to get him to give me the details on how to retrieve his phone messages back at his apartment. He couldn’t remember the password. And this entire time his body was still 100% pure banana colored. It was an awful experience for everybody.

Kidney Dialysis 3 Times A Day

A week passes and he starts to get better. Gradually. He’s still on dialysis three times a day, but at least he can talk fairly cogently. And slowly he regains his personality–starts kidding with all the nurses and telling stories. After three weeks he was discharged but had to go to a half-way house that could take care of his dialysis and other medical needs. He would get transported three times a day in a van to a clinic where the dialysis was done. I flew home as I had been there a month and had a lot of business matters to attend to and see my wife, who was very supportive during this period.

A month goes by and my friend’s best friend in SF calls and says John is going home–he’s getting out of the half-way house after six weeks, but still requires dialysis daily, but now just once a day. I flew back to San Francisco and we all (there were about six of us) go out to celebrate John’s birthday. As dinner ended and we were having a cognac (not John!our mutual friend says he wants to make a special toast. He makes a toast and says that today is a special day. It’s John’s birthday, and he’s pleased to announce that the doctors have decided he no longer needs dialysis! There was a hurrah that filled the restaurant!

It was truly a remarkable experience. On the plane back to Chicago, Icouldn’t help remembering all the good times I had with John over the past thirty years. We threw down a lot of beers and told lies, but he ended up in a drunk ward and I was untouched by it all. We had a lot of laughs, something we repeated many times together over the years. It was really part of our culture.

But this is where it led. And there were no laughs and jokes being told. If it weren’t so personally tragic, I wish we could have fast-forwarded into the future from those early care-free days to see what drinking and alcoholism is all about and where it leads.

Luck Of The Irish (At Least Some Of Them)

John was lucky, and his liver bounced back and healed. But the doctors told him that he could never drink alcohol again–that it would poison him, like drinking a glass of cyanide.  And you know what? John hasn’t touched a drop of alcohol since. He still goes to bars and shoots the bull with his friends. Now he drinks ice tea instead of alcohol. And he’s enjoying his life just as much as before. Lucky for him. He got a second chance.

Alcohol Is A Killer

If you or someone you know is a heavy drinker and  has looked a little jaundiced of late, it’s probably a sign that the liver is damaged. Before it gets to the point my friend faced there are some  natural homeopathic remedies to detox your liver and get you back on the right track. Of course, once you go through this process, you need to be committed to a life of alcohol abstinance if you want to live a longer life. Not lecturing here, but those are just the facts.

Good luck!

Published By Rehab Help Online

A Twenty-Eight Year Old Bouncer at An Exclusive Nightspot Discovers Why Alcohol Overdose Signs and Symptoms are So Critical and How They Can Save Another Person’s Life

Recently, Frank applied for a job as a bouncer at one of the local nightclubs. He had studied judo, gatka, ninjitsu, karate, and aikido for thirteen years; he was a body builder; he took daily supplements, vitamins, and minerals; he was into health foods and healthy eating; and he seemed well matched for such a job. In point of fact, due to the fact that he was concerned about his health, he started drinking in moderation approximately four years ago and then totally quit drinking alcohol about three months ago.

When Frank received the word that he had been chosen for the job, he was exceedingly pleased. Due to the fact that this was an elite club, nonetheless, he had to go through a three week instructional class.

Drinkers At Discos Who Drink In an Irresponsible Manner and Alcohol Overdose Signs and Symptoms

On the first day of class, the lecturer started talking about people who drink too much and what the barmaids, bartenders, and bouncers should do when this situation arises. When the trainer started discussing alcohol poisoning, Frank was pleased to learn that all of the new bouncers, barmaids, and bartenders were required to learn about alcohol poisoning and what they should do when they witnessed a person who was displaying alcohol poisoning symptoms or manifesting the signs of alcohol poisoning.

More specifically, all the new barmaids, bouncers, and bartenders learned that vomiting and nausea were almost without exception the first signs of alcohol poisoning and that unconsciousness was almost certainly the most highly visible alcohol poisoning sign or symptom. The teacher also made it a point to underline the fact that alcohol poisoning symptoms were signals from the body and from the brain that the individual has consumed more alcohol than his or her body can process.

There were, however, numerous other signs and symptoms of alcohol poisoning that all the new barmaids, bouncers, and bartenders were trained to be aware of. For instance, the members in the class were made aware that people with alcohol poisoning exhibit poor reflex responses, often have seizures, are difficult to awaken, and they exhibit confusion.

Moreover, the class members discovered that many people who suffer from alcohol poisoning also manifest slow, shallow or irregular breathing; blue tinged or pale skin; slurred speech; and little response from painful stimuli, for instance from pinching.

Moreover, individuals who have alcohol poisoning frequently exhibit an inability to make eye contact or sustain a conversation, they often display erratic behavior, they usually feel very ill and exhibit excessive vomiting, and they often pass out.

A Trainer Spells Out Why An Alcohol Overdose is Not Inevitably Experienced Only by People Who Are Alcohol Dependent

The instructor then explained that an alcohol overdose is not inevitably experienced only by alcohol dependent people.

More exactly, the teacher informed the class that most circumstances involving alcohol poisoning were almost certainly experienced by alcohol abusers and that a specific type of alcohol abuse known as “binge drinking” was perchance the key precipitating factor in most cases of alcohol poisoning. The teacher then defined binge drinking as follows: drinking five or more alcoholic beverages at one sitting for males and consuming four or more alcoholic drinks at one sitting for females.

To emphasize the impact that binge drinking has on alcohol poisoning, the lecturer told the members of the class that a person who gets smashed just once on an annual basis, is by definition engaging in abusive drinking, is in all probability not alcohol addicted, but is probably engaging in binge drinking. As declared by the lecturer, engaging in binge drinking even once, regrettably, can result in alcohol poisoning that in some circumstances can be lethal.

The Instructor Explains Why Letting A Drinker With Alcohol Poisoning Sleep is Not The Right Course of Action

One of the students in the class raised his hand and asked the lecturer if it is a good idea to let a drinker with alcohol poisoning “sleep it off.” The lecturer claimed that letting a drinker with alcohol poisoning sleep is exactly what should not be done because doing so places the person at risk due to the fact that he or she is no longer being observed. Furthermore, letting the person go to sleep when she or he experiences alcohol poisoning is the wrong response because the individual may never awaken.

The trainer then explained to the class that the most fitting response for alcohol poisoning is the following: if it is suspected that a person has alcohol poisoning, call 911 and ask for emergency medical assistance, even if the individual is underage. By taking this course of action, the person will get the prompt alcohol poisoning medical attention he or she needs.

Summary

After learning about alcohol poisoning and particularly about the symptoms and signs of alcohol poisoning, it may be noted, Frank felt that he had learned some vital information that might save an individual’s life in the distant future. As a matter of fact, Frank learned that knowledge of the predictable alcohol poisoning symptoms and signs and knowing how to quickly and properly react to such symptoms and signs (by promptly calling 911 and asking for urgent medical assistance) can help a person avoid a lethal case of alcohol poisoning.

A Twenty-Nine Year Old Bouncer at An Exclusive Disco Learns Why Alcohol Poisoning Symptoms and Signs are So Vital and How They Can Save A Drinker’s Life

Recently, Frank applied for a position as a bouncer at one of the local nightspots. He had studied judo, ninjitsu, gatka, karate, and aikido for six years; he was a body builder; he took daily supplements, vitamins, and minerals; he was into health foods and healthy eating; and he seemed like a natural for such a job. In fact, due to the fact that he was concerned about his health, he started drinking in moderation around four years ago and then totally quit drinking alcohol about eight months ago.

When Frank received notice that he had been hand picked for the job, he was very happy. Due to the fact that this was an elite nightspot, nevertheless, he had to go through a two week training class.

Individuals At Bars Who Drink In an Excessive Manner and Alcohol Overdose Signs and Symptoms

On the first day of class, the lecturer started talking about individuals who drink excessively and what the bouncers, bartenders, and barmaids should do when this circumstance arises. When the instructor started discussing alcohol poisoning, Frank was delighted to find out that all of the new workers had to learn about alcohol poisoning and what they should do when they saw a person who was manifesting alcohol poisoning symptoms or exhibiting the signs of alcohol poisoning.

More exactly, all the new employees were instructed that vomiting and nausea were almost always the first signs of alcohol poisoning and that unconsciousness was perhaps the most highly observable alcohol poisoning symptom or sign. The instructor also made it a point to underscore the fact that alcohol poisoning symptoms were signals from the body and from the brain that the drinker has ingested more alcohol than his or her body can metabolize.

There were, nevertheless, several other symptoms and signs of alcohol poisoning that all the new bouncers, bartenders, and barmaids were trained to be conversant with. For example, the members of the class learned that people with alcohol poisoning often have seizures, are difficult to awaken, exhibit confusion, and they exhibit poor reflex responses.

In addition, the class members discovered that many individuals who have alcohol poisoning also display blue tinged or pale skin; little response from painful stimuli, for instance from pinching; slurred speech; and slow, shallow or irregular breathing.

Additionally, people who have alcohol poisoning frequently pass out, exhibit an inability to make eye contact or sustain a conversation, they often display erratic behavior, and they usually feel very ill and exhibit excessive vomiting.

A Teacher Give Details Why Alcohol Poisoning is Not Always Experienced Only by Alcohol Addicted People

The lecturer then made it clear that an alcohol overdose is not necessarily experienced only by individuals who are alcohol dependent.

More exactly, the lecturer explained to the class that most circumstances involving alcohol poisoning were most likely experienced by alcohol abusers and that a unique form of abusive drinking known as “binge drinking” was perhaps the primary precipitating factor in most situations involving alcohol poisoning. The teacher then defined binge drinking as follows: ingesting four or more alcoholic beverages at one sitting for females and drinking five or more alcoholic drinks at one sitting for males.

To show the effect that binge drinking has on alcohol poisoning, the teacher explained to the class that an individual who gets drunk just once or twice per year, is by definition engaging in abusive drinking, is probably not alcohol addicted, but is in all likelihood engaging in binge drinking. As expressed by the teacher, engaging in binge drinking even once, regrettably, can result in alcohol poisoning that in some instances can be deadly.

The Trainer Explains Why Letting An Individual With Alcohol Poisoning Sleep is Not A Suitable Course of Action

One of the members of the class raised her hand and asked the trainer if it is a good idea to let a drinker with alcohol poisoning “sleep it off.” The trainer affirmed that letting an individual with alcohol poisoning sleep is exactly what should not be done because doing so places the drinker at risk since he or she is no longer being observed. Not only this, but letting the person sleep when he or she experiences alcohol poisoning is a misguided response because the individual may never awaken.

The instructor then told the members in the class that the best response for alcohol poisoning is the following: if it is suspected that a person has alcohol poisoning, call 911 and ask for emergency medical assistance, even if the individual is underage. By pursuing this course of action, the drinker will get the prompt alcohol poisoning medical attention he or she requires.

Conclusion

After learning about alcohol poisoning and especially about the signs and symptoms of alcohol poisoning, it can be emphasized, Frank realized that he had learned some crucial information that might save a drinker’s life in the future. Without a doubt, Frank learned that knowledge of the familiar alcohol poisoning symptoms and signs and knowing how to quickly and properly respond to such symptoms and signs (by immediately calling 911 and asking for emergency medical assistance) can help a drinker avoid a deadly alcohol overdose.

A Wednesday Evening Out With School Pals at a Local College Bar and Grill Results In Hazardous and Irresponsible Drinking and Alcohol Poisoning

When Janice was in high school, she had secured a reputation as a person who studied much of the time and who rarely, if ever, ”got down” and drank with her friends. She seemed single-minded about doing well academically so that she would be able to pursue a career that she not only got pleasure from but one that also gave her some financial stability.

After much contemplation, ultimately she made up her mind that she wanted to be a lawyer. In order to bring this about, however, she would first have to complete four years of undergraduate education.

After Finishing High School Janice Gets Accepted Into A Prominent Undergrad University as a Foundation For a Career as a Trial Lawyer

After Janice graduated from high school, she applied to and was accepted into a renowned program in linguistics. Her rationale for this decision was that this subject matter would be a good springboard for law school and wouldn’t be similar to the preponderance of law school applicants who choose political science as their undergraduate major or minor.

After graduating with a 3.95 GPA at the undergrad level, she applied to and was accepted at an esteemed law school at one of the Ivy League universities.

She was enthusiastic about her legal studies but on occasion she was swamped with all the work that was necessary at law school. Reminiscent of the way in which she conducted herself in her high school and undergraduate days, nevertheless, she made buddies quite easily but hardly ever participated in social activities until the school period had ended.

After Thrilled with the Fact That She Had Done a Super Job on Her Tests, Janice Wanted to Take a Break and do Some Celebrating

Janice was the kind of individual who worked vigorously to reach her objective and then would take some time off when she could. As is the case, however, nearly all of the things she did between terms or during summer breaks did not have much to do with drinking. It almost goes without saying that Janice was anything but a party-person. Now that her finals for her second year in law school were finished and feeling overjoyed that she had done very well on her exams, however, she felt like celebrating.

Drinking at a Local Bar Results in Alcohol Poisoning, Calling 911, and An Ambulance Ride to A Drug and Alcohol Rehab Hospital

So Janice and a number of her pals went to a local pub where they had a few glasses of wine. As the hours passed, Janice persisted in drinking without having any concerns about examinations the following day. In fact, Janice revealed to her buddies how enjoyable it was to whoop it up and drink with her pals from school.

As the evening went by, Janice and her friends continued to drink. As a matter of fact, she was having such a marvelous time that she didn’t want the night to come to an end. It was almost as if she was making up for lost time and attempting to condense a year’s worth of laughter and fun into a single evening. Such a “game plan,” in most instances, does not work. In fact, when Janice went to the powder room and vomited, her classmates started to feel uneasy about her safety.

About ten minutes later when Janice started to speak in a confused manner, slur her words, and then pass out, nevertheless, her buddies without delay realized that they needed to call 911, the emergency services number, and ask for medical assistance because they suspected that Janice was exhibiting alcohol poisoning symptoms.

Once Janice was in the hospital, the lead emergency room doctor confirmed what her classmates had hypothesized, namely, that Janice consumed significantly more alcohol than her body could metabolize and, as a consequence, she experienced an alcohol overdose.

After the medical team pumped her stomach until no gastric contents were discernible, Janice was placed in the recovery room. After staying almost four hours in recovery, Janice was then transported to one of the regular hospital rooms. Fortunately, the most perilous part of her hospitalization was over and all of her vital signs were once again in the normal range.

In response to Janice’s medical situation, her buddies thoughtfully phoned her Mother and Father. As a consequence, early the next day, her parents and her best buddies went to the hospital to visit Janice and check on her medical progress.

Janice Dodges a Bullet, is Gratified to be Alive, and Promises to Never Again Drink in an Abusive and Hazardous Manner

Janice was attentive to the fact that she had narrowly escaped death and, as a result, was grateful to be alive. Her Mother and Father realized how relentlessly she studied in graduate school and how little she let herself experience a social life. Nonetheless, they also realized that Janice needed to stay away from excessive drinking.

As a result, they suggested that in the future, whenever a drinking occasion unfolds, that she always drink responsibly and in moderation. Janice agreed and gave her word to her friends and to her Mom and Dad that she would never again drink in an irresponsible and hazardous manner. As stated by Janice, “I never had a clue that I would become one of the alcohol abuse and alcoholism statistics in the local college newspaper. I now grasp the fact that irresponsible and hazardous drinking is not for me. I swear that this will never happen again.”

Fortunately, Janice was not only “book smart” but she also had a lot of common sense. In other words, she quickly knew that she had made an error in judgment and decided that she would never make the same mistake again. In truth, she now understood that she had involved herself in “binge drinking” and that even one instance of this form of alcohol abuse can end in a fatality.

A Thursday Evening Out With School Buddies at a Local Cabaret Leads To Hazardous and Irresponsible Drinking and Alcohol Overdose Symptoms

When Janice was in high school, she had obtained a reputation as a book worm who rarely, if ever, ”got down” and drank with her pals. She seemed single-minded about doing well academically so that she would be able to pursue a career that she not only benefited from but one that also gave her a degree of security from a financial perspective.

After much reflection, finally she made up her mind that she wanted to be a lawyer. In order to accomplish this, nonetheless, she would first have to finish four years of undergraduate education.

After Graduating From High School Janice Gets Accepted Into A Celebrated Undergraduate University as a Springboard For a Career as a Lawyer

After Janice finished high school, she applied to and was accepted into an esteemed program in philosophy. Her justification for this decision was that this academic discipline would be good training for law school and wouldn’t be indistinguishable from the majority of law school applicants who choose political science as their undergraduate minor or major.

After graduating with a 3.75 GPA at the undergrad level, she applied to and was accepted at a greatly admired law school at one of the Big 12 universities.

She was pleased with her legal studies but occasionally she was swamped with all the work that had to be accomplished at law school. Reminiscent to the way she handled herself in her high school and undergraduate days, however, she made friends easily but almost never participated in social events until the school period had been concluded.

After Feeling Proud of the Fact That She Had Done a Super Job on Her Exams, Janice Wanted to Let Her Hair Down and Do Something Enjoyable

Janice was the type of individual who worked in a rigorous manner to finish what she was doing and then would take a break when she could. As it turns out, nevertheless, the vast majority of the things she did between terms or during summer breaks were not associated with drinking. Evidently, Janice was anything but a partygoer. Now that her final examinations for her second year in law school were completed and pleased that she had done extremely well on her finals, nevertheless, she wanted to let her hair down and do something besides going to college for a change.

Drinking at a Local Pub Leads to Symptoms of Alcohol Poisoning, Calling 911, The Emergency Services Number, and An Ambulance Ride to An Alcohol Treatment Clinic

So Janice and a few of her friends went to a local bar where they had a few beers. As the hours went by, Janice continued to drink without having to worry about research projects or exams the following day. In fact, Janice told her friends how excited she was to whoop it up and drink with classmates from her apartment.

As the evening went by, Janice and her pals continued to drink. In point of fact, she was having such a magnificent time that she didn’t want the night to end. It was almost like she was making up for lost time and attempting to condense a year’s worth of enjoyment and fun into a single evening. Such a “game plan,” however, infrequently works. Indeed, when Janice went to the restroom and threw up, her pals started to feel uneasy about her safety.

Around twenty minutes later when Janice started to speak in a confused manner, slur her words, and then fall unconscious, however, her classmates instantaneously knew that they needed to call 911 and ask for medical assistance because they thought that Janice was displaying alcohol poisoning symptoms.

Once Janice was in the drug and alcohol rehab hospital, the head healthcare professional confirmed what her friends had hypothesized, to be precise, that Janice had far more alcohol than her body could handle and, as a consequence, she suffered from an alcohol overdose.

After the medical team pumped her stomach until no gastric contents were observable, Janice was transported to the recovery room. After staying approximately four hours in recovery, Janice was then placed in one of the regular hospital rooms. Fortunately, the most dangerous part of her hospitalization was over and all of her vital signs returned to normal.

In response to Janice’s medical circumstances, her buddies thoughtfully called her Mother and Father. As a consequence, early the next day, her parents and her best buddies went to the hospital to visit Janice and look into her medical condition.

Janice Dodges a Bullet, is Grateful to be Alive, and Promises to Never Again Drink in an Abusive Manner

Janice was attentive to the fact that she had narrowly escaped death and, consequently, was pleased to be alive. Her Mother and Father were aware how hard she worked at the university and how little she let herself socialize with her friends. Nonetheless, they also were aware that Janice needed to avoid excessive drinking.

As a result, they recommended that down the road, whenever a drinking circumstance develops, that she always drink in moderation and responsibly. Janice agreed and assured her friends and her parents that she would never again drink in a hazardous manner. In Janice’s own words, “I never thought that I would become one of the alcohol abuse and alcoholism statistics in the local college newspaper. I now realize that irresponsible and abusive drinking is not for me. I swear that this will never happen again.”

Fortunately, Janice was not only “school smart” but she also displayed a lot of common sense. In other words, she quickly understood that she had made an error and made up her mind that she would never make the same mistake again. In fact, she now grasped the fact that she had involved herself in “binge drinking” and that even one instance of this kind of alcohol abuse can end in a loss of life.