Heavy Drinking Over Time Can Produce Alzheimer's-Like Symptoms

It might not be Alzheimer's. Part 1.

It's called the Wernicke-Korsakoff Syndrome and it is usually something that physicians look for in patients who have abused alcohol over long periods of time. However, you don't have to abuse alcohol to suffer from the affects of it.

Alcoholism causes thiamin deficiency. Thiamin is an essential vitamin in the brain which causes proper neuron function as well as aides in energy production. When there isn't enough thiamin present in the brain the neurons may become damaged and die.

 Individuals whose bodies don't absorb food nutrients properly are also at risk especially those who may have undergone surgery for obesity

"Most commonly, Wenicke-Korsakoff syndrome is seen in alcoholics because heavy drinkers typically are poor eaters. Alcohol also interferes with the proper absorption of nutrients from the digestive system."

Folks who suffer from Wernicke-Korsakoff will appear drunk even if they are not.

Symptoms include:

• confusion
• abnormal gait and eye movements
•  hallucinations
• vision problems
• memory loss
• imaginary remembered experiences
• incoordination 

Treatment options:
As soon as someone is diagnosed with this condition they need to be hospitalized so that they can receive treatment such as a thiamin replacement. Much of what might have been lost can be recovered such as eye movement, coordination,  and vision problems. Unfortunately, the loss of memory and cognitive function is not usually helped by thiamin replacement.

Prevention:
The best idea to prevent Wernicke-Korsakoff is to eat a healthy, well-balanced diet and not to abuse alcohol. If you follow that suggestion then doctors believe that your chances of ever developing the syndrome are virtually nonexistent. However, if you have any sort of malabsorption problems it might not hurt to have a conversation with your physician.