One night of binge drinking, while seemingly harmless, may end up killing you. Gastroenterologist Benny Ang said that most men can stomach two units of alcohol “ two beers, two shots of whisky or two glasses of wine a day. For most women, their limit is one unit of alcohol a day. Exceed that, and the drinker will have difficulty balancing, and will start to slur and suffer from blurred vision. But it starts to get dangerous when blood alcohol levels reach 400mg/100ml - usually after five drinks within two hours. This is when a person crosses over from harmless intoxication to alcohol poisoning. Alcohol poisoning is a condition when a person has exceeded the limit of alcohol his or her body can take. At this point, the alcohol would effect the person’s nerves and brain, causing the drinker to become stuporous or comatose. It would be difficult to rouse him or her. Their heart rate would be slowed, and blood will not be pumped to the rest of their body. This would lead to darkened skin and cold, clammy hands and feet. Other symptoms would include shallow breathing, and dulled reflexes. It can get so bad, the gag reflex does not work, and may cause the person suffering from alcohol poisoning to suffocate on his or her vomit. If someone is suffering from alcohol poisoning, you should lie him on his side, instead of letting him lie on the back. This way, he vomits, he will not choke on the vomit. Complications can also arise if drinkers already have heart or respiratory problems. Binge drinking is very dangerous, and it can definitely kill you. And if you think you'll be fine if you eat before you drink, think again. Having food in your stomach insignificantly slows alcohol from entering your bloodstream. Drinking coffee, taking a cold shower, walking if off or letting the victim sleep it off are purported remedies that do not work and can be dangerous. If you suspect someone of having alcohol poisoning, call for an ambulance immediately. Even when someone has stopped drinking, alcohol continues to be released into the bloodstream and the level of alcohol in the body continues to rise. Never assume that a person will sleep off alcohol poisoning. Teens and students are most likely to binge drink, and because many are first-time or inexperienced drinkers, they are particularly vulnerable to the effects of alcohol. However, the majority of deaths from alcohol poisoning occur in people aged 45 to 54. Traditionally, men have been more likely to have alcohol poisoning and to binge drink than women. In recent years, however, the gap has narrowed. More women are drinking than in the past, and more are binge drinking. The smaller and thinner the body, the quicker it absorbs alcohol, making a drinker more susceptible to alcohol poisoning. Having health problems, such as heart disease or diabetes, makes a drinker more vulnerable. This article/extract was featured in The New Paper, 8 November 2009.