Poisoning caused by binge drinking -- drinking excessively within a short period. For men, that's five standard-sized alcoholic beverages within two hours. For women it's four or more standard-sized drinks, which is defined as a 12-ounce beer, a 5- ounce glass of wine or a mixed drink with one shot. With excessive drinking, the liver struggles to process the alcohol and motor functions become impaired. If alcohol starts to surround the brain stem, involuntary actions such as breathing can grow difficult. Heart attack, seizure, coma or death can result if left untreated.

While anyone who engages in binge drinking is at risk of alcohol poisoning, some are in more danger than others.

• Women are more susceptible because their bodies produce lower levels of enzymes that delay alcohol from being released into the stomach. There are also fewer places alcohol can go in women's bodies because they have a higher body fat-to-water ratio than men. As a result, alcohol tends to stay clustered around a woman's brain stem and other vital organs.

• Thinner people and those with petite builds are at greater risk because their bodies absorb alcohol more rapidly because of their size.

• People using medications and those with health conditions such as heart disease or diabetes are more prone to alcohol poisoning.

• Pace drinking by consuming no more than one standard-sized drink per hour.

• Alternate alcohol intake with nonalcoholic drinks such as water.

• Dilute drinks by adding more ice or mixing them more weakly.

• Eat something prior to or during drinking to help slow the rate at which the body absorbs alcohol.

• Avoid drinking games or downing shots where the pace or rate of drinking can't be slowed.

• Educate friends and family about the dangers of binge drinking.

• At home, keep alcohol stored away from teens and children.

• Call 911.

• Stay with those suspected to be suffering from alcohol poisoning and try to keep them awake until help arrives.

• Try to keep people in an upright position or on their side to help prevent them from choking on vomit -- one of the most common ways people die from alcohol poisoning.

• If possible, share with emergency personnel how much and what kind of alcohol a person consumed.

Although the following won't hurt people who have drunk too much, it won't help sober them up.

• Take a cold shower.

• Try to walk or sleep it off.

• Drink black coffee or any other stimulant

Source -- wwww.mayoclinic.com and Dr. Scott Walters, University of Texas School of Public Health

Doug Oster writes a blog, "Growing With Doug," exclusively at PG+, a members-only web site of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Our introduction to PG+ gives you all the details.