Many people enjoy an occasional drink without concern, but what happens when drinking becomes a persistent habit? Alcoholism, or alcohol use disorder, not only affects health but can also have profound, long-term effects on the brain. In recent years, there’s been growing interest in understanding whether alcoholism could lead to dementia. Let’s unravel the connection between excessive alcohol consumption and cognitive decline, exploring how lifestyle choices might contribute to dementia and what this means for those affected.
Signs and Symptoms of Alcohol Induced Dementia?
This allows organs like the brain to get the oxygen and nutrients drug addiction treatment they need to work properly. When blood vessels are damaged, less blood reaches our brain cells, and over time they may die leading to conditions like vascular dementia and Alzheimer’s. If a person regularly drinks much more than the recommended limit of alcohol, it can damage their brain.
Does Moderate Drinking Protect the Brain?
See a doctor if you think you might be experiencing alcohol-related dementia. They will probably begin by performing a physical examination and inquiring about can alcoholism cause dementia your mental and physical health issues. Additionally, they might ask you to answer questions about symptoms about your memory and cognitive function. Drinking alcohol with Aricept (donepezil), a medication for certain types of dementia, can prevent it from working properly and increase the risk of side effects. The study defined moderate drinking as consuming 1–13 standard drinks per week, equivalent to 10–130 grams (g) per week. If a person uses it heavily in the long term, they’re at risk for a number of memory-related health conditions.
- The most obvious limitation of this study is that family members may have been less than immaculately accurate reporters, potentially misremembering, or not truly knowing, how much their relative drank.
- Research has found a link between drinking too much alcohol and an increased risk of dementia.
Even small amounts of alcohol may increase dementia risk, study finds
Focus on prevention has led researchers to investigate the influences of lifestyle factors like diet on dementia development. Family or friends may have certain thoughts or convictions about what is going on and why it’s going on. Initially, individuals might be mistaken for being inebriated, which could lead to delays in seeking medical care. The overlap of symptoms makes it crucial for clinicians to carefully evaluate and consider the possibility of an underlying neurologic disorder in these situations. AlcoholAwareness.org is dedicated to providing support and resources for individuals struggling with https://ecosoberhouse.com/ alcohol addiction.
