DOI: 10.36347/sjams.2013.v01i05.0015

Pages: 419-422

Long-term alcohol abuse can cause number diseases, including cirrhosis of the liver, pancreatitis, epilepsy, polyneuropathy, alcoholic dementia, heart disease, nutritional deficiencies, peptic ulcers and sexual dysfunction. The concentration of alcohol in blood is usually measured in terms of the blood alcohol content. The amount and circumstances of consumption play a large part in determining the extent of intoxication. Alcohol, specifically ethanol, is a potent CNS depressant with a range of effects on all systems particularly on Autonomic Nervous System. Alcohol reaches different parts of the nervous system, which include the spinal cord, cerebellum, cerebral cortex, reticular formation and on many neurotransmitter systems. It can cause damage to the frontal lobes, reduce brain size and increase the size of the ventricles. Millions of brain cells, which cannot be repaired or replaced, can be severely damaged due to drinking over an extensive period of time. The effect of alcohol on the peripheral nervous system results in a disorder called polyneuropathy. The symptoms of Polyneuropathy are pain, cramps, numbness, tingling, and weakness in the legs and hands. The clinical symptoms of alcoholic autonomic neuropathy were described more than 200 years ago. Our aim was to study the cardiac autonomic dysfunction using time domain measures of HRV as the parameter in alcohol dependant individuals. The Present study was conducted in the Department of Physiology at Stanley Medical College. Totally 60 subjects were recruited for the study. Among 60 subjects 30 were alcohol dependent subjects and 30 were controls those who are free from alcohol consumption. ECG, respiratory movements were recorded using respiratory belt which analysis inspiration and expiration. HRV is analyzed in lying, standing and in one minute controlled deep breathing. Results were analyzed accordingly. Our results showed that there is a significant decrease in the HRV in alcohol dependant individuals