ALCOHOL

The word Alcohol is of Arabic Origin. In chemistry, an alcohol is any organic compound in which a hydroxyl group attached to a saturated carbon atom. In general alcohol refers to ethanol, a strongly-smelling, colorless, liquid formed by the fermentation of sugars. Any other beverages that contain ethanol is also referred to as Alcohol. Ethanol is also sometimes referred to as Grain Alcohol. There are three major subsets of alcohols, viz 'primary', 'secondary' and 'tertiary'.
The most commonly used alcohols are methanol and ethanol. Methanol spirits, also called "surgical spirits," is a form of ethanol that is rendered undrinkable by the addition of methanol. Apart from its primary use in alcohols and its beverages, ethanol is also used as a highly controlled industrial solvent. Ethanol is often used as an antiseptic, to disinfect the skin before injections are given. ethanol is often used as a solvent in medical drugs, perfumes, and vegetable essences.
Alcohol, specifically ethanol, is a psychoactive drug with a range of side effects, that often depends on the type and the amount of consumption. When alcohol is consumed after a heavy meal, the signs of intoxication would be of lower levels than consumption on an empty stomach. Consumption of alcohol in small quantity produces feelings of relaxation and cheerfulness, but further consumption can lead to blurred vision and and giddiness. This is because of the fact that once alcohol is in the bloodstream it can diffuse into nearly every tissue of the body.
At higher concentrations, alcohol causes intoxication, coma and death. Any alcohol consumption during pregnancy carries a heavy risk of permanent mental and physical defects in the child. Nearly 50 to 60% of cancers of the mouth, and larynx are associated with heavy drinking. Prolonged, heavy drinking has been associated with liver cancer. The liver breaks down alcohols into acetic acid which is one of the many other substances that the alcohol is broken into, and then these acetates are converted into fats and water. These fatty acids build up around liver cells and those cells begin to die, which leads to the liver diseases. The liver is part of the body's filtration system and if it is damaged then certain toxins build up, thus leading to symptoms of Jaundice and most often cancer.
A common after-effect of Alcohol intake is the sensation known as hangover, which is partly due to the dehydrating effect of ethanol. Hangover symptoms include dry mouth, headache, and giddiness. These symptoms are partly due to the toxic substances produced from alcohol, and also partly due to dehydration. Dehydration causes the brain to shrink away from the skull slightly. The dehydration portion of the hangover effect can be minimized by drinking plenty of water after alcoholic drinks.
It is found that Moderate drinkers have better circulatory system and live longer than those who are heavy drinkers, and can also lower the chances of heart diseases.
The consumption of ethanol is illegal in some countries, mainly in the Islamic countries.