Our brain is the control centre of the nervous system, responsible for processing and interpreting sensory information, regulating bodily functions, and enabling cognitive functions such as learning, memory, and decision-making. To help our brains function at its maximum capacity, we must refrain from certain activities and lifestyle choices, including excessive alcohol consumption. Speaking with the OnlyMyHealth team, Dr Parth Lalcheta, Consultant-Neuro and Spine Surgeon, HCG Hospital, Rajkot, discusses the impact of alcohol on our brain and how it can lead to memory-related issues.
Excess Alcohol Consumption And The Risk Of Dementia
Dementia is a broad term for a group of cognitive disorders caused by damage to brain cells and characterised by a decline in memory, thinking, and the ability to perform everyday activities.
“Alcohol-related dementia is brought on by several interconnected factors. This includes the neurotoxicity of alcohol that causes direct damage to brain cells, reducing brain tissue, and deteriorating cognitive abilities,” says Dr Lalcheta.
“Vitamin deficits, particularly those of thiamine (vitamin B1), which is crucial for brain health, can arise from prolonged alcohol abuse. It has been observed that alcohol-consumption related brain damage results in cognitive decline and memory loss,” he adds.
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While a study published in the Journal PLOS MEDICINE found moderate alcohol intake in middle- and old-aged individuals with neither dementia nor alcohol-related disorders reduced a person’s risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease, a review published in Alzheimer' Research and Therapy concluded that excessive alcohol consumption and alcohol use disorder puts a person at a higher risk of all types of dementia.
According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, excessive drinking refers to consuming more than four drinks on any day or more than 14 drinks per week for males, whereas for females, it involves having over three drinks on any day or more than seven drinks per week.
Symptoms Of Dementia
Here are the signs and symptoms of dementia to watch out for:
- Memory loss, especially recent events or important information
- Difficulty with communication and finding the right words
- Impaired judgement and decision-making abilities
- Confusion and disorientation, especially regarding time and place
- Difficulty completing familiar tasks or following instructions
- Challenges with problem-solving and planning
- Changes in mood, personality, or behaviour
- Withdrawal from social activities and reduced interest in hobbies
- Difficulty recognizing familiar people or objects
- Repetitive actions or speech patterns
What Doctor Says
The positive outlook is that abstaining from alcohol can have an effect, as per Dr Lalcheta.
A nationwide cohort study in South Korea found, "Maintaining mild to moderate alcohol consumption was associated with a decreased risk of dementia compared with sustained non-drinking, whereas sustained heavy drinking of alcohol was associated with an increased risk of dementia."
"Reduction of drinking from a heavy to a moderate level and initiation of mild drinking were associated with a decreased risk of dementia compared with a sustained level of drinking," the study authors add.
Dr Lalcheta says, “Improving cognition and postponing the onset of alcohol-related dementia needs early detection and complete abstinence from alcohol.”
“Supportive care, cognitive training, medical supervision, and nutritional assistance are all required as part of the therapy approach,” he recommends, adding that the degree of recovery depends on varied factors, including the extent of damage caused to the brain, the duration of alcohol use, and individual circumstances. “It is suggested that early intervention and therapy are vital for improving the affected people's overall well-being and increasing their chances of recovery,” he concludes.
