Alcohol and Human Health (Introducing Health Science) - Softcover

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0199237352 ISBN 13: 9780199237357

Publisher: The Open University, 2008

Synopsis

Alcohol has been drunk in human societies for at least ten thousand years, and today has become a common and accepted way to unwind from the pressures of life. But people are also aware that drinking alcohol has its dangers: it impairs our reaction times; it can damage our livers; it can increase the risk of developing certain cancers; and it can be addictive, ruining careers and lives. But there are counter-claims that small regular amounts of alcohol improve health and lengthen life. What is the truth?

Alcohol and Human Health is a multidisciplinary account of the science behind drinking alcohol and its effects on human health. The book first puts the problems into perspective by looking at the global health and accident statistics relating to alcohol drinking. It then goes on to study the basic chemistry of the ethanol molecule, and explains how ethanol is absorbed and metabolised by the body, and how it damages the liver, kidneys and brain. The authors then explore the effects of drinking alcohol on behaviour, motor control and memory, and in the process, discuss the causes of addiction and the possibilities for treatment, using case stories to highlight the effects of excessive drinking. The book concludes by evaluating the evidence for the benefits of moderate drinking.

Alcohol and Human Health is accompanied by a fully interactive DVD, which includes molecular models of key chemical structures featured in the book, together with animations of the alcohol 'journey' through the body illustrating its effects on the liver and at synapses in the nervous system. Also on the DVD are videos illustrating how the effects of alcohol and placebo can be investigated experimentally, and interviews with undergraduates discussing their attitudes to drinking and with recovering alcoholics and staff at Alcoholics Anonymous.

About this title

About the Author

Dr Lesley Smart joined the academic staff of the Open University in 1977 and, since that time, has contributed to many undergraduate chemistry courses, most recently chairing the production of a new level two course bringing together the teaching of organic, physical, and inorganic chemistry for the first time. The third edition of her co-authored book, Solid State Chemistry: an introduction (CRC Press) was published in 2005. Lesley's research interests include solid state chemistry and catalysis, and in particular preparing and characterizing new materials and catalysts. Lesley became a Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry in 2005, and is on the editorial board of Education in Chemistry.

Review

"An account of the science behind drinking alcohol and its effects on human health, putting the problems into perspective by looking at the global health and accident statistics relating to alcohol drinking."--Times Higher Education Supplement

"This is a marvelous book, and its use should not be limited to undergraduates. Anyone, including physicians, medical students, nurses and substance abuse counselors, would find it quite useful. It is an easy to read and easy to understand summary of the history of alcohol in society and its effects on the human body, and should be read by anyone seeking to further their knowledge on this subject. The interactive DVD is quite extraordinary, and adds to the book's overall usefulness."--Doody's Health Sciences Review, a 5-star review!

Edition details

• Publisher: The Open University
• Publication date: 2008
• ISBN 10: 0199237352
• ISBN 13: 9780199237357
• Binding: Paperback
• Language: English
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 104
• Editor: Smart Lesley