Alcohol abuse environmental factors

There are also genetic factors that are protective against alcoholism. Approximately half of Asian populations have a gene that interferes with the metabolism of alcohol, and a toxic metabolite of alcohol accumulates in their body. When they drink alcohol, acetaldehyde accumulates, and they experience the very unpleasant symptoms of rapid heartbeat, flushing, heat, and dropping blood pressure, and they feel intoxicated with very low levels of alcohol in their blood. These individuals rarely, if ever, abuse alcohol. All the genetic factors combined explain about 60% of the risk of alcoholism, with environmental factors contributing about 40% (Schuckit, 2003). 

Numerous risk situations are able to trigger HRS and various predictive factors make it possible to ascertain the development of HRS in non-azotaemic patients with cirrhosis and ascites. Often the actual cause is not directly recognizable (e.g. undisclosed alcohol abuse, environmental noxae). Typical liver function parameters do not help to anticipate the development of HRS. (11, 19, 21,53, 60) (s. tab. 17.2)... 

Several risk factors determine the toxic outcome of in utero alcohol exposure. Risk factors suggested include genetic predisposition, marital status, smoking, use of prescribed or over-the-counter drugs and medications, concomitant usage of other drugs of abuse, occupational or environmental exposure to chemicals, socioeconomic status, and adequate nutrition. 

A number of environmental factors have been associated with an increased risk of AD, including stroke, alcohol abuse, small head circumference, repeated or severe head trauma, Down syndrome, and lower levels of education. ° In particular, traumatic head injury in combination with the apo E4 genotype has been associated with an increased risk of AD. ... 

It is estimated that in the developed world, most deaths are due to two major causes circulatory diseases (heart attacks and strokes) and cancer. A large proportion of these two diseases is attributable to environmental and lifestyle factors including diet, social status, cultural practices, tobacco smoking and alcohol abuse. In recent years health professionals and governments have begun to closely examine ways in which risk factors for these major killer diseases can be modified so as to reduce excess premature mortality from them. 

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