Question

Mr. Smith staggered home after a long night imbibing at the local bar. While attempting to navigate the stairs, he passed out cold and lay all night with his right armpit straddling the staircase banister. When he awoke the next morning, he had a severe headache, but what bothered him more was that he had no sensation in his right arm and hand. Explain what caused this symptom in his arm.

Answer 1

Answer:

Whenever a person consumes too much of liquor, the body gets dehydrated as alcohol is a dehydrating agent and it removes body fluids through renal system.

Due to such dehydration, the occurrence of cramps is quite a common phenomena, apart from tastelessness.

In the current case, Mr Smith got besotted at a bar and in an attempt to navigate the stairs, he consequently passed out. The following morning he woke up, his right arm and hand were devoid of sensation.

The human body requires consistent blood flow with adequate oxygen and nutrient absorption to coordinate well with the nervous system. Neurons are responsible for nerve impulses and action.

Alcohol affects the functioning of neurons which are responsible for generating impulse, movement and coordination. Owing to the same phenomena, while an individual is intoxicated, the senses slow down due to which one feels less pain of an injury or hurt.

Here, consumption of excessive liquor led to pressure built up and the blood flow along with nutrients and oxygen, which are required for the neuron process, got obstructed. This led to a situation of no sensation with neuron function suspended temporarily. This resulted into lack of sensation in the arm and hand.