February 2019

Welcome back!

Considering that I have been busy preparing for the big NBME exam in March as well as keeping up with coursework, I wasn’t able to do as much community service this month, but will get back to it once the semester lets up (in approximately 2 weeks!!) Meanwhile, I figured since Mardi Gras is in full swing at the moment, it would be an appropriate time to discuss something that we learned about in this last medical pharmacology block: ethanol and it’s toxicity…especially considering that Mardi Gras is known for being a big party with lots of drinking, dancing, and fun. It’s important to remember that alcohol is a drug and can be abused, especially in the context of binge drinking. While it is completely okay to have fun, one should be aware of the signs of impairment and what could happen if you have too much. The signs of impairment can be odor on the breath, impaired motor coordination (including reflexes, and most importantly, driving ability), dehydration, slurred speech, and impaired decision-making. However, the signs of something more serious includes hypothermia, coma, and death due to respiratory depression, considering that against popular belief, alcohol is a central nervous system DEPRESSANT. If you notice a friend feeling cold and clammy to the touch, has irregular or slow breathing, and is unresponsive to the point of passing out and is unresponsive, it is time to seek medical help, because this is a sign that there is so much alcohol in the bloodstream that areas of the brain controlling basic life-support functions such as breathing, heart rate, and temperature control is being shut down! Please look after yourself and your friends this Mardi Gras season and make sure to stay safe!

Best,

Lekha Thangada

February 2019

Community Service Hours (Total): 0 hours