New York, March 14 (IANS) Perceived as a lighthearted, fun and humorous rite among college students, binge drinking may lead not only to impaired judgment but also increase the risk of dying in one’s sleep, say experts.

Binge drinking is defined as four drinks in two hours for women and five drinks in two hours for men.

Alcohol acts as a depressant, impairing basic bodily functions, such as the gag reflex, leaving people vulnerable to choking on their own vomit and dying in their sleep, researchers from University of Alabama at Birmingham in the US explained in an official statement.

Alcohol can also irritate the stomach, making the suppression of the gag reflex especially problematic, the researchers said.

Overdose of alcohol can occur when a person has blood alcohol content (BAC) sufficient to produce impairments that increase the risk of harm.

“As BAC increases, so does alcohol’s effects and the risk for harm,” said Megan McMurray from University of Alabama at Birmingham in the US.



Critical signs and symptoms of alcohol poisoning include confusion, vomiting, seizures, slow breathing, irregular breathing, hypothermia, the experts said.

The researchers estimated that each year 1,825 US college students ages 18-24 die from alcohol-related unintentional injuries.


“It is important to understand what alcohol is, why it’s problematic, and what a person can do to minimize the risk should they choose to drink,” associate professor Peter Hendricks said.