Ethanol, abbreviated as ETOH in medical settings, refers to the type of alcohol found in beverages. Healthcare professionals use this shorthand for clear communication regarding alcohol’s role in patient care, diagnosis, and its effects on the human body.
ETOH in Medical Documentation and Diagnosis
Healthcare providers use ETOH in medical documentation to record a patient’s alcohol exposure or history. This abbreviation appears in patient charts, medical histories, and laboratory test results. For instance, notes like “ETOH on board” indicate current intoxication, or “positive ETOH” follows a test. This ensures that critical information about a patient’s alcohol status is accessible to all medical personnel.
Laboratory tests, particularly blood alcohol content (BAC) measurements, report ETOH levels. BAC indicates the concentration of alcohol in a person’s bloodstream, expressed as a percentage. These tests are essential for diagnosing acute alcohol intoxication, especially in emergencies where altered mental status might be due to alcohol. BAC levels help medical teams assess intoxication severity and guide interventions.
Beyond immediate intoxication, ETOH is relevant in diagnostic codes like the International Classification of Diseases (ICD) codes. Conditions such as alcohol use disorder (AUD) or alcohol-induced disorders are assigned specific ICD-10 codes, often under the F10 category. These codes provide a structured method for tracking and communicating alcohol-related diagnoses, ensuring continuity of care and proper medical record-keeping.
Physiological Impact of ETOH
When ETOH enters the body, it is primarily metabolized in the liver, with some occurring in the stomach. Enzymes like alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) convert ethanol into acetaldehyde, a toxic compound. Acetaldehyde is then broken down by acetaldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) into acetate, a less harmful substance the body can use for energy. This pathway eliminates alcohol, but consuming ETOH faster than the liver can process it leads to bloodstream accumulation.
The acute effects of ETOH primarily impact the central nervous system (CNS) due to its depressant properties. It enhances gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), an inhibitory neurotransmitter, and can inhibit glutamate, an excitatory neurotransmitter. This alters neurotransmitter balance, leading to slowed brain activity, impaired coordination, reduced judgment, slurred speech, and slower reaction times. Higher ETOH levels can result in confusion, memory impairment, loss of consciousness, or respiratory depression.
Chronic ETOH exposure can lead to lasting physiological changes across multiple organ systems. The liver is particularly susceptible, with potential consequences including fatty liver, alcoholic hepatitis, and cirrhosis. In the brain, prolonged ETOH consumption can cause structural changes like brain shrinkage and impair cognitive functions such as memory and learning. Medical professionals assess ETOH use due to its contribution to various health conditions.