Glossary

Category: A

  • Alcohol abuse and hypophophatemia

    Alcoholism is characterized by low blood levels of phosphate. This impairs blood pH regulation.  

  • Alcohol abuse and hyponatremia

    Alcoholism may be characterized by low blood levels of sodium.  

  • Alcohol abuse and hypomagnesmia

    Alcoholism appears to increase the need for magnesium in the diet.  

  • Alcohol abuse and hypertension

    Significant alcohol intake is positively associated with hypertension. Light intakes have little or no effect on blood pressure.  

  • Alcohol abuse and hyperlipidemia

    Significant intakes of alcohol are associated with significant rises in serum triglycerides. Light alcohol intake, in contrast, appears to result in an increase in the levels of high-density lipoproteins.  

  • Alcohol abuse and gout

    Hyperuricemia (excess uric acid in the blood) is positively correlated to alcohol intake in adult males. When significant quantities of alcohol are consumed, lactic acid accumulates that in turn inhibits the excretion of ureates. Ureate accumulation is a characteristic of gout. If the alcohol is consumed with a mixed meal there seems to be little…

  • Alcohol abuse and diabetes mellitus

    Significant alcohol consumption (>2 ounces of alcohol/day) by people with diabetes has been associated with hypoglycemia. Alcohol decreases gluconeogenesis in the liver, and as a result, hypoglycemia can readily develop several hours after alcohol ingestion. If light to moderate quantities of alcohol (1-2 drinks) are consumed with a mixed meal, blood glucose is not adversely…

  • Alcohol abuse and cardiomyopathy

    Although the precise cause of cardiomyopathy in alcoholism is unknown, alcohol abuse is the major cause of dilated cardiomyopathy, which leads to intractable congestive heart failure.  

  • Alar

    A plant growth regulator; chemical name: daminozide. Related to structures resembling a wing. The term is most commonly used to describe the shoulder blade, but it can also loosely refer to the shoulder or armpit.  

  • Alanine cycle

    A cycle that plays an important role in maintaining blood glucose levels within the normal range (80-120 mg/dL, 4-6 mmol/L). The cycle uses alanine released by the muscle and deaminated by the liver to produce glucose via gluconeogenesis. This glucose is transported to the muscle where it is oxidized to pyruvate that in turn is…