Many teens have heard the term “BAC” before, but do most know what it stands for or what biological processes are going on in relation to BAC? Today on the Health Spotlight, we’re going to find out all about Blood Alcohol Content.
//Blood Alcohol Content//The concentration of alcohol in the blood, measured, by volume as a percentage. Sometimes referred to as Blood Alcohol Concentration. SOURCE
Alcohol is absorbed by the body very quickly and can end up in the blood stream within minutes of consuming an alcoholic beverage. BAC tests are usually administered in cases where health professionals or law enforcement suspect that a person is legally intoxicated (in the state of GA, a BAC of 0.08 means you are drunk while driving). BAC can be tested using blood tests, urine analysis, and Breathalyzer tests. For underage folks, a BAC of 0.02 might get you into big trouble.
Though every person reacts to alcohol differently (based on weight, food consumed, gender, age, etc.), ascending BAC levels will be met with bodily reactions regardless of circumstances. As your BAC increases, you will likely experience sedation, blurred speech and vision, trouble walking, memory loss, trouble breathing, and even death (at extreme levels of blood alcohol concentration).
Please remember, alcohol isn’t something that just goes to your stomach and is expelled. Alcohol is absorbed into your blood, urine, and even comes out in your breath (hence, the Breathalyzer tests). As well, blood isn’t the only body element that has to deal with loads of alcohol. So does your liver. Next week’s Health Spotlight will deal with alcohol’s effects on the liver. Be sure to catch that post!
Fore more information about BAC, check out these sources:
>> Web MD
>> Wikipedia