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Drinking

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The act of drinking as depicted by a statue in Schloss Nordkirchen.

Drinking is the act of ingesting alcohol or other drinks through the mouth.

Physiology

Human drinking

When a liquid is poured into an open human mouth, the swallowing process is completed by peristalsis which delivers the liquid to the stomach; much of the activity is abetted by gravity. The liquid may be poured from the hands or drinkware may be used as vessels. Drinking can also be performed by acts of inhalation, typically when imbibing hot liquids or drinking from a spoon. Infants employ a method of suction wherein the lips are pressed tight around a source, as in breastfeeding: a combination of breath and tongue movement creates a vacuum which draws in liquid.[1]

Thirst

The sensation caused by dehydration of the body is called thirst. The sensation of thirst is a dry feeling in the back of the throat and an intense desire to drink fluids. Thirst is regulated by the hypothalamus in response to subtle changes in the body's electrolyte levels, and also as a result of changes in the volume of blood circulating.

Polydipsia is the medical term for the desire to drink large quantities of water. It is often accompanied by polyuria and may be a symptom of Diabetes mellitus or Diabetes insipidus.[2]

Fluid restriction

Fluid restriction occurs when a person intentionally abstains from drinking fluids, either partially or completely.

Partial fluid restriction can be used in medicine, but have the disadvantages of being difficult to maintain, and it is often ineffective.[3] Drugs causing increased diuresis (diuretics) is generally an alternative, and have less risk of causing decreased glomerular filtration rate through the kidneys and resultant decreased kidney function. Fluid restriction is occasionally a practice in management of heart failure. However, according to a review in 2009, there is apparently no evidence of benefit of fluid restriction in patients with clinically stable heart failure otherwise receiving optimal pharmacological treatment.[4] Rather, diuretics are preferred in heart failure, mainly ACE inhibitors, with substantial evidence of improving survival and quality of life in heart failure patients.[5][6] Theoretically, fluid restriction could also correct the electrolyte imbalance in hyponatremia, but again, diuretics, mainly vasopressin receptor antagonists, show better efficiency.[3] Nevertheless, in hyponatremia secondary to SIADH, long-term fluid restriction (of 1,200–1,800 mL/day) in addition to diuretics is standard treatment.[7]

Also, fluid restriction is the test of choice to distinguish primary polydipsia from diabetes insipidus. In primary polydipsia, the urine osmolality should increase and stabilize at above 280 Osm/kg with fluid restriction, while a stabilization at a lower level indicatess diabetes insipidus.[8] Stabilization in this test means, more specifically, when the hourly increase in osmolality is less than 30 Osm/kg per hour for at least 3 hours.[8]

Fluid restriction can also be part of religious practice, such as being part of the fasting from dawn till dusk in the Ramadan period for Muslims. During the daylight hours of Ramadan fasting, practising Muslims are dehydrating, but it is not clear whether this is chronic during the month of Ramadan.[9] No detrimental effects on health have as yet been directly attributed to negative water balance at the levels that may be produced during Ramadan.[9]

Also, patients with terminal illness may refuse both nutrition and hydration.[10]

Alcoholic beverages

“Drinking” is often used metonymically as a synonym for the consumption of alcoholic beverages. Most cultures throughout history have incorporated some number of the wide variety of "strong drinks" into their meals, celebrations, ceremonies, toasts and other occasions.[11] The earliest known evidence of fermented drinks in human culture dates to 8,000 BC.[12]

Despite its popularity, the drinking of alcohol poses significant health risks. Alcohol abuse and the addiction of alcoholism are common maladies worldwide. A high rate of consumption can also lead to cirrhosis, gastritis, gout, pancreatitis, hypertension, various forms of cancer, and numerous other illnesses.[13]

Drinking in art

  • Midnight Modern Conversation (William Hogarth, 1733): English gentlemen sharing alcoholic punch.
    Midnight Modern Conversation (William Hogarth, 1733): English gentlemen sharing alcoholic punch.
  • A 19th-century illustration of the young Rip Van Winkle having another drink (not water).
    A 19th-century illustration of the young Rip Van Winkle having another drink (not water).
  • Boy with a Lute (Frans Hals, c.1625): a young musician "calling for a refill".[14]
    Boy with a Lute (Frans Hals, c.1625): a young musician "calling for a refill".[14]
  • Pouring from an amphora (illustration from The Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam
    Pouring from an amphora (illustration from The Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam

See also

References

  1. ^ Flint, Austin (1875). The Physiology of Man. New York: D. Appleton and Co. pp. 137–138. OCLC 5357686. Retrieved 2 April 2012.
  2. ^ Provan, Drew (2010). Oxford Handbook of Clinical and Laboratory Investigation. Oxford: Oxford University Press. p. 129. ISBN 0-19-923371-3. Retrieved 2 April 2012.
  3. ^ a b Attention: This template ({{cite doi}}) is deprecated. To cite the publication identified by doi:10.1016/j.amjcard.2005.10.050, please use {{cite journal}} (if it was published in a bona fide academic journal, otherwise {{cite report}} with |doi=10.1016/j.amjcard.2005.10.050 instead.
  4. ^ Tai MK (2009). "Evidence-based practice of fluid restriction in patients with heart failure". Hu Li Za Zhi (in Chinese). 56 (5): 23–9. PMID 19760574. {{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
  5. ^ The CONSENSUS Trial Study Group. (1987). "Effects of enalapril on mortality in severe congestive heart failure. Results of the Cooperative North Scandinavian Enalapril Survival Study (CONSENSUS)". N Engl J Med. 316 (23): 1429–35. doi:10.1056/NEJM198706043162301. PMID 2883575.
  6. ^ The SOLVD Investigators. (1991). "Effect of enalapril on survival in patients with reduced left ventricular ejection fractions and congestive heart failure". N Engl J Med. 325 (5): 293–302. doi:10.1056/NEJM199108013250501. PMID 2057034.
  7. ^ Attention: This template ({{cite doi}}) is deprecated. To cite the publication identified by doi:10.1007/978-3-540-79565-0_40, please use {{cite journal}} (if it was published in a bona fide academic journal, otherwise {{cite report}} with |doi=10.1007/978-3-540-79565-0_40 instead.
  8. ^ a b Elizabeth D Agabegi; Agabegi, Steven S. (2008). Step-Up to Medicine (Step-Up Series). Hagerstwon, MD: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. ISBN 0-7817-7153-6.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  9. ^ a b Attention: This template ({{cite doi}}) is deprecated. To cite the publication identified by doi:10.1038/sj.ejcn.1601899, please use {{cite journal}} (if it was published in a bona fide academic journal, otherwise {{cite report}} with |doi=10.1038/sj.ejcn.1601899 instead.
  10. ^ Patient Refusal of Nutrition and Hydration: Walking the Ever-Finer Line American Journal Hospice & Palliative Care, pp. 8–13, March/April 1995
  11. ^ Gately, Iain (2008). Drink: A Cultural History of Alcohol. New York: Penguin. pp. 1–14. ISBN 1-59240-464-2. Retrieved 2 April 2012.
  12. ^ Gately, p. 2.
  13. ^ Fiebach, Nicholas H., ed. (2007). Principles of Ambulatory Medicine. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. p. 387. ISBN 0-7817-6227-8. Retrieved 2 April 2012.
  14. ^ Schjeldahl, Peter (8 August 2011). "Haarlem Shuffle: The Fast World of Frans Hals". The New Yorker. Condé Nast: 74–75. Retrieved 2 April 2012.(subscription required)
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