Binge-drinking

Alcohol consumption is very difficult to assess. There is widespread belief that individuals underreport their intake and there are no reliable laboratory tests available for definitive diagnosis of alcohol abuse. A combination of abnormalities in the plasma activity of gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT or yGT), AST and reduction in erythrocyte mean cell volume (MCV) maybe useful and all are routine lab. tests. A potential marker of interest is carbohydrate-deficient transferrin (CDT) which is an abnormal isoform of serum transferrin arising due to defects in the attachment of carbohydrate chains to the protein core. Unfortunately, CDT is a somewhat specialized test, not performed by most laboratories. Other markers which have attracted some research interest are ethyl sulphate and ethyl glucuronide. Excretion in the urine of these metabolites occurs for up to 50 hours after binge drinking so they offer a useful index of recent heavy alcohol intake. 

Heavy drinking—and especially "binge" drinking—are associated with both atrial and ventricular arrhythmias. Patients undergoing alcohol withdrawal syndrome can develop severe arrhythmias that may reflect abnormalities of potassium or magnesium metabolism as well as enhanced release of catecholamines. Seizures, syncope, and sudden death during alcohol withdrawal may be due to these arrhythmias. 

ALCOHOL NITRATES, NITROGLYCERIN t risk of postural 1 BP when GTN is taken with alcohol Additive effect both are vasodilators Warn patients about the risk of feeling faint. Advise them to drink alcohol only in moderation and to avoid binge drinking... 

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