Aug
11
When we say the word Dementia, the first thing that comes to mind is Alzheimer’s disease. There are many types of dementia, with Alzheimer’s being the most common cause in the United States. You probably knew this, but what you may not have been aware of is that the second most common cause of dementia is alcohol!
Commonly used terms for this type of dementia include alcohol dementia, alcohol related dementia, dementia associated with alcoholism and alcohol induced dementia.
As with all other dementias, alcohol related dementia also involves progressive brain damage and loss of mental function. Dementia associated with alcoholism is characterized by little or no ability to learn new things (impairments in short term memory and learning) with (or without) other cognitive impairments (abstract thinking, judgement and other, higher level cortical/intellectual functions), usually accompanied by noticeable personality changes (anger and irritability, suspiciousness and paranoia, unstable moods, etc.).
Dementia may be caused by the direct effects of alcohol on brain cells, especially those in the front part of the brain, causing impairment in higher/intellectual functioning – judgment, decision making ability, insight, etc. Malnutrition ?especially a deficiency iVitamin B1 (Thiamine) ? resulting from long-term alcohol abuse can also cause damage to certain brain areas, resulting in loss of certain other mental functions, such as short term memory or the ability to learn new things.
While most dementias, including Alzheimer’s disease, start with short term memory loss, in alcohol dementia there may not be much initial short term memory loss. However, other cognitive impairments will present ? especially in higher intellectual functioning associated with the front part of the brain ? as well as personality changes.
The best indicator of this syndrome is considered to be changes in personality, along with other warning signs such as confusion, memory loss, difficulty with familiar tasks and poor judgment and language problems ? not just intact remote memory, with impaired recent memory, as in Alzheimer ’s disease.
Also, unlike Alzheimer’s, dementia related to alcohol not only affects the elderly but its onset could happen as early as 30. However, its effects are usually only seen between 50-70 years of age.
Dementia associated with alcoholism does not include a specified set of symptoms that must be present, but a cluster of symptoms all or some of which might be present. It is closely associated with Alcohol Amnestic Disorder.
23 Responses to “Alcohol and Dementia Part I: Facts”
[...] not alone. Dementia affects a huge amount of individuals in the United States. This video gives dementia facts as well as explains cognitive impairment causes. It is important to find a heath treatment for [...]
[...] not alone. Dementia affects a huge amount of individuals in the United States. This video gives dementia facts as well as explains cognitive impairment causes. It is important to find a heath treatment for [...]
[...] is a broad term for loss in cognitive function, but some important dementia facts are necessary to know before making treatment decisions. Once individuals get to a certain age, [...]
[...] is a way our society can prevent dementia. There are many sites on the Internet that give quick dementia facts, which are very informative. There is usually a time where the causes of cognitive impairment are [...]
[...] large percentage of individuals. It is also crucial to do research about dementia. A couple dementia facts that are important to understand are that most types of dementia are nonreversible (degenerative). [...]
[...] you interested in finding dementia facts? The ones that come to mind first are individuals with dementia often have problems with memory and [...]
[...] them to stop playing a drinking game. Binge drinking can lead to alcoholism, which can result in dementia. If you or a loved one suffers from binge drinking, talk to a specialist today about finding [...]
[...] loose relationships with family or close friends. Not only that but excessive drinking can cause alcohol dementia, which makes the individual unable to form any new memories. If you believe a loved on suffers from [...]
[...] After years of practicing such habits it is possible for the addict to begin showing signs of alcoholism dementia. This means the individual is not able to form new memories and is sad because it is something that [...]
[...] through difficult times such as these. A drastic side effect of binge drinking is something called alcohol dementia. This basically means that the individual’s cognitive function has decreased rapidly. This is a [...]
[...] to fully understand all the ways in which alcohol interacts with certain aspects of the human body. Alcoholism dementia is a scary side effect of binge drinking because once the cognitive function has decreased it is [...]
[...] drink on a regular basis. There are many side effects to drinking too much alcohol, one of which is alcoholism dementia. This side effect is particularly sad because there is no treatment. Once the individual’s [...]
[...] a loved on starts showing signs of dementia, it is important to learn the facts about dementia. It is also important to find the best treatment of your health; there are California treatment [...]
[...] cognitive function. If you or a loved one suffers from dementia, it is important to know the true facts about dementia. That way the patient can find treatment centers in California that can help through this difficult [...]
[...] women’s struggle with her alcohol addiction. Ultimately, drinking constantly can actually cause alcoholism dementia. This is a tragic disease because it causes cognitive impairment that can never be reversed. Also, [...]
serious addiction that can completely rip through someone’s life. In extreme cases it can lead to alcohol dementia, which is incredibly sad because it can happen at any age. There are treatment centers where the
are dual diagnosis treatment centers where an individual can find treatment for alcoholism. Alcohol dementia is a horrible affect of excessive drinking. It is such a horrible disease because it can happen to
horrible affects alcohol has on the human brain. Alcohol abuse and alcoholism can actually lead to alcohol dementia. Alcohol dementia is horribly sad because it can happen to anyone who abuses alcohol.
[...] the number of college students who leave school with a binge drinking problem. Finding an alcohol addiction treatment center for alcohol rehab is an amazing idea because it gives the patient time and the space [...]
[...] to be suffering from symptoms such as these contact a medical professional immediately. There is an alcohol addiction treatment center where they can receive schizophrenia treatment as well as go through alcohol rehab. If an [...]
[...] Put this into treatment facility terms and you have detox, rehab, and a sober living. For example, alcohol dementia is a serious and deadly side effect of alcoholism. While even the most hardcore drinkers can [...]
[...] for your addiction. Alcohol is a seriously horrible substance because it can actually cause alcohol dementia. Not only that, but also when someone has a problem with alcoholism and how families are treated. [...]
[...] bring dementia on himself or herself by being alcoholics. Its important to know and understand the dementia facts for loved ones. Also, understanding that alcohol abuse is extremely dangerous is a crucial part to [...]