WOMAN, ALCOHOL AND ENVIRONMENT

Woman, Alcohol and Environment

Outline of the Study

Introduction

Discussion

Female metabolism

Teratogenic

Environmental Factor

Human behavior

Evaluation

Alcohol and Environmental Health Risks

Introduction

In recent years the number of women consuming alcohol has dramatically increased, developing into serious public health problems. These problems consist of increased health risk in women and their offspring. However, alcohol consumption is not the only factor that is contributing to these health problems, the article entitled Woman, alcohol and environment: Emerging risks for health written by Rosanna Mancinelli suggest that the interaction between alcohol, woman's biology, and environmental pollutants all contributes to this health risk. These factors combined with understanding human behavior, and theories will be examined.

Discussion

Female Metabolism

Unlike other addictive drugs, alcohol is socially and culturally acceptable and widely available. In many cultures alcohol is a way of life and not participating in the consumption of it will be seen by their peers as taboo. Moreover, in America the number of female drinking is becoming an emerging problem which can be demonstrated by the US epidemiological studies which revealed a rapid progression of the rate of risky drinking among women (Kessler et al., 1994; Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, 2000). In addition, a woman's biology can make her more acceptable to the harms caused by consuming alcohol. One specific biomarker that can help determine how serious alcohol can affect a female's body is known as blood alcohol concentration or (BAC). BAC has a direct correlation to the effects of ethanol on the human body. It refers to the amount of alcohol ingested and absorbed by the gastrointestinal tract, its distribution in the body and on the rate of elimination (Manicinelli, 2006). Furthermore, because BAC has a strong relation to body mass index (BMI) and the body's water content. Do to the fact that women tend to have a lower BMI and water content level their ability to disperse ethanol is much less than their male counter parts as a results their BAC will be higher. In turn, this vulnerability can be an ignationator for the rapid development of alcohol damage in females.

Teratogenic

Also, by practicing such risky behavior females who are pregnant can but their unborn child at great risk. This is known as teratogenic effects that may manifest itself as mental retardation. Unlike an adult the fetus is not tolerant to alcohol and in turn can develop what is called Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS). (FAS) is result of neuronal damage and ...