‘Dementia caused by alcoholism doesn’t appear overnight. It’s a gradual process. Little by little, as time goes on, brain cells are destroyed,’ says psychiatrist at MVHS
By Barbara Pierce
“Alcohol is neurotoxic to the brain. It destroys brain cells,” said Tayo Obatusin, a psychiatrist with Mohawk Valley Health System and medical director of its behavioral health program. “With prolonged use of alcohol, little by little, the brain cells are destroyed.”
“Severe alcohol use for a number of years destroys frontal lobe brain cells,” he emphasized.
The frontal lobe of the brain is very important for several reasons. “In looking at symptoms, there is memory loss; for example, one has difficulty remembering facts, names of family members; there is short— term memory loss,” he explained. “Then loss of long-term memory. They have difficulty reasoning; for example, you give them a key; they can’t use it. Language is slow. Some have visual spatial difficulty. [Making sense of what the eyes see.]
“In its milder form, it’s diagnosed as mild cognitive impairment. Their productivity begins to decline. When it becomes moderate dementia, you begin to notice cognitive dysfunction [a drop in mental skills]. It’s difficult for them to do their job. They become angry, explosive and end up losing their job. They can’t shower or dress themselves. When it becomes severe, they can’t find their way home, may get many DUIs, may drive into a ditch.”
Other issues of concern: aspiration with pneumonia is common, as are tooth decay issues, falls, fracturing of bones, becoming incontinent of urine and bowel and seizures. They may develop Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome, which causes big problems, added Obatusin. This serious brain condition is usually associated with chronic alcohol misuse.
Research confirms that alcohol is a major risk factor that significantly increases both the onset of dementia and its progression.
Severe alcohol use disorders strongly correlate with a higher incidence of early-onset dementia diagnosed before age 65, says Harvard Medical School online. Studies show that continued drinking worsens memory deficits and quickens cognitive decline in individuals with early brain changes. They recommend that screening of individuals who drink heavily should be a priority for health care practitioners.
There is also a genetic link to alcohol use disorder and dementia. A higher genetic predisposition to alcohol consumption also increases the risk of developing dementia.
“Dementia caused by alcoholism doesn’t appear overnight,” psychiatrist Obatusin said. “It’s a gradual process. Little by little, as time goes on, brain cells are destroyed.”
If you regularly drink alcohol, you might consider trying to do so in moderation and within recommended limits.
Obatusin stressed that if adults choose to drink, they follow the guidelines for recommended drink limits: For a male, no more than two drinks in a single day and no more than 14 drinks per week. For a female no more than one drink in a single day and no more than seven drinks per week.
If you regularly drink much more than this, you are increasing your risk of damage to your brain, increasing your risk of dementia.
What is considered one drink? The basic guidelines state that one drink of wine which contains 12% alcohol is five ounces; one drink of regular beer which contains 5% is 12 ounces, malt liquor, which is 7% alcohol, is eight to nine ounces; one drink of hard liquor, which is 40% alcohol is one and one half ounces. As the alcohol content does vary, it’s helpful to check the alcohol content on the label if you are buying a bottle or can.
If you drink alcohol and want to cut back on your drinking, Obatusin offers these tips:
Medication can help. Naltrexone is approved by the FDA to help one gradually decrease the amount of alcohol one drinks.
Find support: Ask for support from a family member, friend or anyone who will support your choice to drink less. Let your friends and family know that you’re cutting down and how they can support you. This can make it easier to drink less, especially at social events.
Supportive counseling can be of help.
AA and a sponsor in AA, someone who has been down that road.
The CDC offers other tips: Set yourself a weekly alcohol limit and keep track of how much you’re drinking. Have several alcohol-free days each week. Try low-alcohol or alcohol-free drinks or smaller sizes of drinks.
Managing your “triggers” is important. If certain people, places, or activities tempt you to drink more than you plan, you can limit your time with those people, in those places or doing those activities. For example, instead of a happy hour event with coworkers, suggest catching up at lunch instead. You may also want to remove alcohol from your home or places where you spend a lot of time.