According to TS.BS Nguyen Trung Nguyen, when entering the body, ethanol is metabolized very quickly, while methanol, on the contrary, has a very slow metabolism and elimination rate (after 7-8 days, it can still exist in the blood). Methanol when entering humans is converted into formic acid by the body, which is much more toxic than methanol, causing eye and nerve damage…
In particular, during Tet, patients can drink a lot of alcohol, usually ethanol (in plain alcohol) will “compete” with methanol (industrial alcohol), making the metabolism of methanol slower. The patient’s manifestations of poisoning will be slower than when drinking methanol alcohol alone.
However, ethanol only “binds” methanol temporarily. A few hours later, the methanol will transform into a poison. Therefore, after a while, the drinker suddenly showed unusual symptoms, even a stroke without knowing the cause was methanol poisoning before.
The Poison Control Center, Bach Mai Hospital keeps many fake antiseptic alcohol samples, the main ingredient is methanol. Photo: Ngoc Trang
In terms of identity, methanol is very similar to ordinary ethanol, even sweeter, easier to drink. When drinking, the patient also has a feeling similar to being drunk, so it is easy to be confused.
However, about 1-2 days later, the patient will present with blurred vision, lethargy, tachypnea, and deep breathing resembling dyspnea due to metabolic acidosis (due to too much formic acid being metabolized from methanol). convulsions, coma. When they arrived at the hospital, most of these cases had brain damage, blindness and low blood pressure, in critical condition.
TS.BS Nguyen warned before, during and after the Lunar New Year, the center also received cases of alcohol poisoning every day. More cases were recorded after the 3rd day of Tet.
“Only 2 days after the Tet holiday, the center received many methanol poisoning patients with different morphology and origin,” said Dr. BS Nguyen. Photo: Ngoc Trang
“Only 2 days after the Tet holiday, the center received many methanol poisoning patients with different morphology and origin. That is the case of drinking fake wine like 7 people in Thai Binh, drinking bad antiseptic alcohol leading to death (in Vinh Phuc) or drinking cleaning chemicals, burning chemicals… These chemicals are bottled. sold in a ‘smear’ way, causing people to misunderstand, buying and drinking also leads to poisoning. This chemical exists in abundance in the market.”doctor information.
According to this expert, despite being warned a lot, it is certain that methanol poisoning will continue a lot. In particular, during the festive season, the increased alcohol consumption will increase the risk of poisoning.
“People should try to limit drinking as much as possible. People with heart disease, epilepsy, respiratory disease, and weak body should not drink alcohol because when they are poisoned, they are often very serious.he emphasized.
According to VietNamNet