Ashima Sharda Mahindra • 01 Sep 2024
6 Dead, Dozens Hospitalized After Drinking 'Rotgut' Booze in Bangkok; What Causes Alcohol Toxicity?
The victims allegedly bought the moonshine - spiked with methanol and isopropanol from street stalls
At least six people died and dozens more are fighting for their lives in the Thai capital Bangkok, after drinking homemade alcohol infused with toxic chemicals, police said. According to the Thai Metropolitan Department, the victims allegedly bought the moonshine – an illegally made and distributed liquor, spiked with methanol and isopropanol from street stalls.
The Thai health department said soon after drinking, many people suffered instant dizziness, breathlessness, and vomiting – all telltale symptoms of alcohol poisoning. As of now, at least 37 – between the ages of 22-69 years are in hospital on life support. Doctors said 15 are on respirators to help them breathe, and many require kidney dialysis.
Police said they traced the ‘rotgut’ or local homemade poor-quality alcohol to a woman in the Saphan Sung district of the Thai capital. Police say rotguts are usually spiked with cheap and harsh chemicals to increase their shelf-life.
What is alcohol poisoning?
Alcohol poisoning happens when there is so much alcohol in your bloodstream that it starts shutting down life-supporting areas of your brain. Doctors say it affects your breathing, heart rate, and body temperature and is extremely life-threatening.
According to experts, alcohol poisoning happens when you consume a large amount of alcohol in a short amount of time. Even though it usually happens with alcoholic drinks like beer or wine, the condition can also occur due to non-beverage alcohol - like mouthwash, cologne, and cough medicine.
Signs and symptoms of alcohol poisoning
A few common symptoms of alcohol poisoning include:
- Confusion, and slow responses
- Lack of coordination, not being able to walk
- Difficulty remaining conscious
- Vomiting
- Breathlessness
- Slow heart rate
- Bladder issues
- Cold, clammy, or bluish-colored skin
- Low body temperature
- Seizures
What causes alcohol poisoning?
According to experts, when you drink too much alcohol, your body is not able to digest it and so, it moves to your bloodstream raising your blood alcohol content or BAC. Your liver then breaks down because it is considered a toxin, but when BAC levels are high, it is not able to do so. Hence, the extra alcohol works as a depressant, slowing down your body’s normal functions.
It then affects your breathing and consciousness – causing poisoning. Doctors consider BAC 0.30-0.40 per cent as alcohol poisoning, which causes loss of consciousness. However, over 0.40 per cent is a potentially fatal blood alcohol level, which causes coma and even risk of death.
How is alcohol poisoning treated?
To give lifesaving treatment to someone having alcohol poisoning, you need to give:
- IV fluids
- Intravenous fluids help treat dehydration and increase blood sugar levels if they are low
- Oxygen therapy
- Doctors can provide oxygen using a nasal cannula by putting a small tube into your windpipe if you have trouble breathing
- Stomach pumping
- With the help of a tube, doctors help clear your stomach of toxins
- Blood filtration
- If your kidneys get affected due to alcohol poisoning, doctors start dialysis to filter alcohol from your blood
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