There are people capable of testing positive in a breathalyzer test without having drunk a drop of alcohol. And we already know why

Although it may seem crazy, failing a breathalyzer test after drinking only water and a plate of pasta is possible. And while explaining it that way to a police officer may raise questions about a poor excuse, The truth is that it is a medical reality for those who suffer from the known self-fermentation syndrome. The investigation. Until now we attributed this problem to yeast, but a team of researchers from UC San Diego and Massachusetts General Hospital has identified specific strains of Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae as those responsible for generate intoxicating levels of ethanol in the intestineopening the door to treatments as surprising as fecal transplantation. That is, there are bacteria that can literally make us drunk without drinking a drop of alcohol. The metabolic storm. To reach this conclusion, the study analyzed to 22 patients diagnosed with this metabolic problem, comparing them with 21 healthy relatives. In this case, the results were quite compelling, because fecal samples from patients in the midst of the outbreak were capable of endogenously producing ethanol at alarming levels. In order to know much more, These samples were cultured and an ethanol concentration of up to 136 mg/dl was observed.. To put it in context, in many countries the legal limit for driving around 50 mg/dl in bloodso these patients without drinking would be doubling the level of alcohol permitted while driving. An alcohol factory. The novelty of this study is that it shifts the focus from yeast to bacteria, since genomic analyzes showed a massive enrichment of genes related to mixed acid fermentation. But we must not fall for the statement that these bacteria are ‘bad’, but rather that the ecosystem is broken to give rise to this problem. And what is the trigger? The antibiotics. And the use of these drugs can sweep away the balanced flora, allowing opportunistic pathogens to take control of the intestine and begin to metabolize sugars into alcohol. The treatment. Logically, this is a serious problem, not because of the fact of testing positive in the alcohol test, but because of the toxicity that the body faces. That is why the objective right now is on the treatment that now has the focus on a fecal microbiota transplant. For this study, the donor of his fecal microbiota was a personal trainer with enviable intestinal health. And the result was incredible, since the patient with this problem saw these problems disappear permanently, and his ability to “self-produce” alcohol disappeared after repopulating his intestine with the healthy bacteria of another person. Beyond getting drunk. As we have said before, it may seem ideal to have a feeling of intoxication without having to spend a single euro on a drink, but the reality is that this problem also leads to non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. And constantly producing alcohol can cause very serious liver damage. But on the social issue, this endogenous overproduction of ethanol has led people to lose their driving license or face labor problems unfairly. All for a problem that may seem like the perfect excuse, but is actually a major medical problem. Images | Lawrence Krowdeed In Xataka | There is an age at which we should stop drinking alcohol forever. Neuroscience is clear why

It is not necessary to blow so that the DGT knows if you have drunk. And nothing has to do with new devices, fines or breathalyzer rates

Alcohol behind the wheel has become one of the great conversation issues of recent times in mobility in Spain. Since the DGT announced that it wants to change the maximum permitted rates at the wheel, the Internet and social networks have been filled with articles with supposed changes in this regard. The reality: everything remains the same. An intention. At the moment, that’s the only thing we have. The maximum alcohol rate allowed at the wheel remains the same as always despite the DGT and the Interior Ministry They have been favorable to a reduction of these rates until the consumption of a beer is impracticable if we are going to put ourselves behind the wheel. With the changes, the DGT wants to punish alcohol consumption if it is conducted. In his own words, You can’t do it with a 0.0 rate because it can generate some judicial conflicts in very rare cases but in practice you cannot drink. What is applied right now? What is currently applied is, in general, a Maximum alcohol rate of 0.5 gr/L of alcohol in exhaled air or 0.25 mg/l of blood alcohol. Overcoming these margins can mean a fine of up to 1,000 euros If we are repeat offenders and will subtract six points in the driving card. What do you want to approve? The intention is lower the maximum limit allowed to 0.20 gr/L of blood alcohol. According to the data provided by DGT itself, a driver could barely take a cane before putting behind the wheel. On average, a woman would have impossible to combine the steering wheel and the drink of alcohol, however small. Is there any change? No, none. AND Nor is there a clear date When this measure will be approved or, even, if approved. At the moment we talk about intentions that need to pass the approval of the Congress of Deputies as it forces to change the GENERAL CIRCULATION REGULATION and the Traffic LawMotor vehicles and road safety. Source: DGT Nor in ethylometers? No, either. In recent days, information that speaks of new devices capable of detecting a positive without blowing have been popularized. These devices have been called proximity alcoholic and, as reflected in some publications, do not need the driver to blow. These supposed new ethylometers are used by the Civil Guard to expedite traffic in the controls. They ensure that just by bringing it to the mouth you can check whether a driver driver or not. In case of positive, the driver has to submit to blood tests to confirm the sanction. It’s true? As almost always, yes and no. Indeed, This way of proceeding exists But from the DGT they make it clear that Nothing has changed. It is working as it had been doing so far with the same as always. That is, we will have to blow if we reach an breathalyzer control. As they assure us from traffic, these alcoholic have a proximity function that is applied in very specific cases, such as a respiratory disease. Only in an assumption of this type is activated and, subsequently, is certified with the blood analysis if a positive occurs. In Xataka we have also contacted the Civil Guard to confirm if something has changed in its way of acting but at the time of writing these lines we have not obtained an answer. Photo | DGT In Xataka | Why it is absurd to play sports to try to “save you” from breathalyzer control and why other tricks are even worse

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