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Early Stage Of Alcoholic Dementia

Comparison With Other Studies

Four Stages of Dementia: The Early Stage

We, as with others,7 observed an increased risk of dementia in alcohol abstainers, a finding subject to much debate. As studies usually assess alcohol consumption only once, excess risk might be driven by the inclusion of former drinkers in the same group as abstainers.7 Our analyses using repeat data on alcohol consumption across midlife suggest that former drinking might not explain the excess dementia risk in abstainers, although we cannot exclude the possibility that those who report alcohol abstinence in midlife were heavy drinkers in young adulthood or misreported their alcohol consumption. We accounted for several sociodemographic and health related characteristics in the analysis, but residual confounding cannot be excluded as an explanation for the higher risk of dementia among abstainers. Indeed, this group is particular in that it is composed mainly of women from the lower socioeconomic group with higher prevalence of cardiometabolic risk factors and disease at baseline, a pattern that has also been observed in other studies.3537

Stage : Moderately Severe Dementia

When the patient begins to forget the names of their children, spouse, or primary caregivers, they are most likely entering stage 6 of dementia and will need full time care. In the sixth stage, patients are generally unaware of their surroundings, cannot recall recent events, and have skewed memories of their personal past. Caregivers and loved ones should watch for:

  • Delusional behavior

Who Does Alcohol Dementia Affect

Alcohol-related dementia isnt generally a concern for people who drink rarely or in moderation. In fact, many studies show that mild to moderate alcohol use may reduce the likelihood of dementia, according to a systematic review published in the journal Neuropsychiatric Disease and Treatment.

While African Americans, Hispanic people, and women are more likely to experience dementia in general, men are more likely to develop alcohol dementia, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention .

Alcohol dementia primarily affects:

  • People over the age of 40, though the likelihood increases with age
  • People who drink in excess over a long period of time
  • People with severe nutritional deficiencies caused by alcohol consumption

Research suggests that a history of drinking 28 alcoholic beverages a week for women or 35 for men increases the risk of developing alcohol-related dementia, according to the journal Alzheimers Research and Therapy.

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Alcohol Causes Thiamine Deficiency

Drinking too much alcohol causes inflammation of the stomachs inner lining, preventing the absorption of nutrients such as thiamine. People with alcohol use disorders also tend to have poor diets, so theyre more likely to have vitamin deficiencies.

Thiamine provides energy to the brain, facilitates the transmission of nerve impulses, and maintains the structural integrity of membranes that protect nerves. Given its role in brain function, a deficiency would likewise result in neurological problems.2

The problems caused by vitamin B1 or thiamine deficiency include:

  • Wernicke Encephalopathy
  • Korsakoff Syndrome
  • Wernicke-Korsakoff Syndrome

These conditions produce symptoms that are similar to dementia, which is why theyre sometimes referred to as alcohol-related dementia.

Who Gets Alcohol Related Dementia

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Anyone who drinks excessive amounts of alcohol over a period of years may develop these conditions, but most do not. It is not known why some very heavy drinkers develop dementia or Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome while others do not. Diet and other lifestyle factors may play a role.

These conditions most commonly affect men over the age of 45 with a long history of alcohol abuse, though men and women of any age can be affected. The risk clearly increases for anyone who drinks high levels of alcohol on a regular basis for a long time.

The National Health & Medical Research Council of Australia recommends that to reduce the risk of all health problems related to alcohol, adults should drink no more than two standard drinks on any day. This limit applies to both men and women.

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What Are The Long

Alcohol-related dementia is a serious condition that can lead to a variety of complications. Because of ARD, the person may not be able to eat properly or digest their food. Some people may not get enough nutrients in their diet because they skip meals. Others may not be able to digest food properly because chronic alcohol misuse damages the pancreas and other organs.

People with alcohol-related dementia are likely to forget to take care of themselves. They may also forget to wash their clothes and other personal items regularly. They end up neglecting personal hygiene tasks such as brushing their teeth, taking a bath or shower, and combing their hair.

Those with alcohol-related dementia are at a significantly higher risk of injuring themselves. For example, they may have trouble coordinating movements normally because of poor muscle control or balance issues resulting from long-term alcohol abuse. They might fall more often or have more difficulty standing up without assistance than other people do. This is especially dangerous if they live alone.

Those who develop ARD are at risk for many health complications, including liver damage or cirrhosis, pancreatitis, and mouth and throat cancers. Other complications that can arise from the disease include anemia, increased risk of cancer, and neurological problems such as strokes and seizures.

Symptoms Of Alcohol Dementia

There are several symptoms which can be easily identified and might indicate that one suffers from this health problem. For example, headaches, frequent anger episodes, mood swings, slurred speech as well as memory gaps are serious signs of alcoholic dementia. Having regular alcohol blackout symptoms while drinking is also dangerous to the human brain and acts as a contributing factor to this condition.

Elderly alcoholic dementia is a closely-related condition which affects elderly people, and the health effects of alcohol are worse when coupled with other neurological illnesses such as Alzheimers disease or Parkinsons disease. This combination of brain issues might be incurable and are known as alcohol-induced psychosis.

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Signs & Symptoms Of Dementia

The symptoms arent exactly the same for everyone, and not all types of dementia have the same symptoms.4 However, some of the more common signs and symptoms of dementia include:3,4,5,8,9

  • Asking the same questions.
  • Trouble speaking or reading and writing.
  • Unusual visual changes not attributed to aging.

Diagnosis Of Alcohol Dementia:

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If you are experiencing any of the above symptoms and if you are a heavy drinker since long, then you must see your doctor and get yourself diagnosed as soon as possible. It is difficult to diagnose alcohol dementia, as it has similar symptoms to those of other forms of dementia. Sometimes even if you consume plenty of alcohol, your dementia may not be alcohol-related dementia.

Your doctor will prescribe you for some tests to screen for dementia at first. Folstein Mini-Mental Status examination is one such test. It is a short test and can help determine whether or not you have dementia. Once it is clear that you have dementia, your doctors would look for some other criteria that might suggest that it is alcohol dementia. Below are some of these criteria.

You may have cognitive impairments while you are drunk. However, in case of alcohol dementia, the symptoms of cognitive impairments may exist in you even after the alcohol leaves your system.

There must be evidence that the cognitive impairments in the patient are linked to the patients abuse of alcohol. The evidence comes in the form of personal history, laboratory work and physical examination.

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What Is Alcohol Related Dementia

Alcohol related dementia, as the name suggests, is a form of dementia related to the excessive drinking of alcohol. This affects memory, learning and other mental functions. Korsakoffs syndrome and Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome are particular forms of alcohol related brain injury which may be related to alcohol related dementia.

Seeking And Providing Support For Alcoholic Dementia

Providing support for someone struggling with an alcohol addiction presents its own challenges for those who are suffering from, or who know someone affected by, alcohol related dementia, this can be even more difficult. The symptoms of alcohol related dementia may cause those affected to be more prone to confusion, difficulties controlling their emotions, distraction, as well as anxiety, agitation, or hallucinations.

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Alcoholic Dementia Life Expectancy

Alcohol-related dementia is a broad term and can describe multiple conditions related to alcohol use that affects the brain. In most cases, determining the life expectancy of someone with alcohol-related dementia is also complicated by a history of heavy alcohol use, causing other alcohol-related problems that also shorten life expectancy.

While there are no specific life expectancy projections for alcohol-related dementia in general, a study shows that the life expectancy for someone with Wernicke-Korsakoff Syndrome is eight years for 50% of people who have this form of alcohol-related brain damage.

Loss Of Memories And Loss Of Recognition:

A thread written by @WHO: " People can reduce their risk of #dementia by ...

The worst part of alcohol dementia is the symptom of loss of recognition. The affected person fails to recognize people, things and places. Some patients may even fail to recognize their own family members and this would be really frustrating.

There is also a short term memory loss, where the patient may not be able to remember what happened recently, however may be able to remember events from years ago.

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Alcoholic Dementia And Wernicke

Drinking excessively can also lead to the development of Wernicke-Korsakoff Syndrome , also known as Wet Brain, often as a result of a vitamin B1 deficiency.

Individuals struggling with alcohol addictions and/or disorders tend to be the most commonly linked group to this syndrome, as alcohol prevents proper absorption of thiamine into the body. WKS presents similar symptoms to alcohol related dementia, including memory loss, lack of coordination, and impaired cognition.

While other factors can lead to the development of WKS, excessive drinking is the most common cause. Furthermore, alcohol use in excess can cause damage to nerve cells.

If heavy drinking behaviors continue on a regular basis, over time, this can cause the individuals brain cells to die and their brain tissue to shrink this is known as Frontotemporal dementia and can have drastic effects on an individuals personality, behavior, language, and movement. Other risk factors include causing damage to blood vessels, as well as an increased likelihood of malnutrition due to a lack of vitamin B1.

What Are The Signs Of Alcohol Dementia

The signs of alcoholic dementia a person exhibits may vary depending on the type of alcohol dementia they have. Some common signs of alcohol dementia include:

  • Unexplained changes in personality or character
  • Lying without realizing it
  • Problems with motor movement and coordination
  • Getting lost on familiar paths
  • Difficulties completing simple tasks, like following a cooking recipe
  • Confusion regarding the place or time the person is in
  • Difficulties appropriately stringing sentences or words together

Alcohol dementia attacks more than just a persons memory. This is one of the many diseases caused by alcohol that can ruin a persons life. If you have a drinking problem, do not wait until its too late to get help. Call Banyan Treatment Centers Texas at to learn how our alcohol and drug treatment facility in Texas can help restore your sobriety.

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What Is The Treatment For Alcohol

According to the treatment guideline for Alcohol-related Dementia, the initial stage requires the patient to abstain from alcohol completely and stabilise their health. It is preferred that patients suffering from Alcohol-related dementia are admitted to the hospital during this stage.

Alcohol withdrawal is a very painful process. The patient usually ends up in delirium. During which, they become increasingly confused and distracted. They also suffer from disorientation and mood swings. The signs in such patients include increased heart rate, increased sweating and general anxiety. Delirious patients also hallucinate sometimes.

During the treatment, the patient is administered a drug that mimics the effect of alcohol on the brain to ease the pain of withdrawal symptoms. The patient is then slowly weaned off from these drugs and they are monitored closely at this time. In a hospital setting the patient is also administered salts, fluids, and high levels of vitamin B1 through IV.

The treatment of Alcohol-related Dementia is not limited to medication, the patient also needs therapeutic support. Namely, counselling or one-on-one therapy that encourages an alcohol-free lifestyle. Furthermore, the patient should join group therapy sessions once they are discharged from the hospital facility.

What Is Rehabilitation

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As well as staying alcohol-free, a person with alcohol-related dementia will need help to get better. This is known as rehabilitation and is support that is matched to the persons needs. It works towards goals that the person agrees with a health professional. This could include practising ways to improve their memory, and learning to use memory aids or other supportive technology.

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Stage : Mild Dementia

At this stage, individuals may start to become socially withdrawn and show changes in personality and mood. Denial of symptoms as a defense mechanism is commonly seen in stage 4. Behaviors to look for include:

  • Difficulty remembering things about one’s personal history
  • Difficulty recognizing faces and people

In stage 4 dementia, individuals have no trouble recognizing familiar faces or traveling to familiar locations. However, patients in this stage will often avoid challenging situations in order to hide symptoms or prevent stress or anxiety.

Alcohol And Brain Injury

Alcohol intoxication tends to impair coordination, so people who are intoxicated are more likely to have accidents or falls. Head injuries, especially if they are severe, involve a loss of consciousness, or happen multiple times, are linked to an increased risk of dementia, even many years after the brain injury occurs.4,9 These types of injuries may be known as traumatic brain injuries , and can occur as a risk of car accidents, falls, or fights. TBIs can cause damage to areas of the brain, and begin a series of changes that allow proteins that cause dementia to accumulate near the damaged area.9

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What Is The Cause

It is currently unclear as to whether alcohol has a direct toxic effect on the brain cells, or whether the damage is due to lack of thiamine, vitamin B1.Nutritional problems, which often accompany consistent or episodic heavy use of alcohol, are thought to be contributing factors. Key parts of the brain may suffer damage through vitamin deficiencies, particularly marked levels of thiamine deficiency and the direct effect that alcohol has on the absorption and use of thiamine.

Dementia Associated With Alcoholism

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Alcohol dementia is a condition that occurs after many years of consistent and heavy drinking. This type of behavior most often leads to loss of memory, problems with learning and cognitive skills, and neurological damage. Alcohol induced dementia is very similar to other forms of dementia and even Alzheimers disease, but the problem could be prevented by treating alcoholism in its early stages. Alcohol dementia occurs after prolonged, excessive use of alcohol, but unlike other forms of dementia, onset doesnt necessarily occur in old age. Dementia associated with alcoholism can begin as early as the thirties.

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Talking About Alcohol Consumption Can Help

It can be very difficult to diagnose alcohol-related dementia. If a doctor is unaware of the person drinking too much alcohol over many years, they may not consider alcohol-related dementia as a possible diagnosis. The person may not get the right treatment and support, which is why it is important to tell doctors about drinking too much alcohol.

Alcohol Use Can Lead To Lasting Changes In How Your Brain Functions There Are Many Stages Of Alcoholic Dementia Each With Their Own Symptoms

Heavy alcohol users can develop alcohol-related dementia, a condition where alcohol use causes dementia. Dementia is a progressive memory loss that can range from mild, with minor effects on your ability to recall memory, to severe, affecting your ability to perform tasks like eating and dressing yourself.

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What Are The Primary Symptoms Of Alcoholic Dementia

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders describes alcohol dementia as a condition that results in multiple cognitive deficits. Among its symptoms are:

  • Impaired memory including being unable to recall previously learned information and learn new information
  • Aphasia a language disturbance that makes it difficult for a person to express themselves in words
  • the inability to carry out tasks despite showing interest or having the physical ability to perform them
  • Agnosia an impaired ability to recognize objects, faces, voices, or places
  • Poor executive functioning struggling with mental skills that help you manage tasks, like planning and organizing

A person with alcohol-induced dementia will exhibit these symptoms even when they arent intoxicated or undergoing withdrawal. They will also suffer a significant decline in function.

That being said, alcohol dementia can produce a range of symptoms. It depends on which areas of the brain are affected and how severe the condition is. Below are common types of alcoholic dementia and some early signs you can watch out for.

Seeking Treatment Options For Dual Diagnosis

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When an individual suffers both from a substance abuse disorder in addition to a mental health condition, it can make the process of finding and receiving help even harder. For those struggling with alcohol addiction, depression is the most common dual diagnosis they will receive . Both disorders will likely need to be treated concurrently, requiring heavily specialized treatment and experienced professionals to deliver and assist with this process.

While this can certainly seem like a difficult and intimidating road to recovery, by no means is it impossible. For those who have received a dual diagnosis, receiving the proper care and maintaining a healthy support system can drastically improve their chances of recovery and achieving sobriety.

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