Exploring The Links Between Alzheimer’s And Alcohol
Excessive drinking can impact your health – whether it be your physical health or cognitive health. Frequently abusing alcohol can have detrimental effects on your brain, and could potentially reduce the risk of developing conditions such as Alzheimer’s.
But what exactly is Alzheimer’s disease, and are there any links between Alzheimer’s and alcohol? That’s what we’ll be exploring today. Read on to learn more about Alzheimer’s, whether alcohol can be a causal factor in the disease, and how you can prevent alcohol-related brain damage.
What Is Alzheimer’s Disease?
Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive neurological disorder that affects memory, thinking skills, and behaviour.
It is the most common cause of dementia, a term used to describe a decline in cognitive function severe enough to interfere with daily life. Alzheimer’s primarily impacts older adults, although it can also occur in younger people too.
The disease is named after Dr Alois Alzheimer – the person who first identified the disease. Back in 1906, he noticed changes in the brain tissue of a woman who died of mental illness.
Some of the woman’s symptoms included language problems, unpredictable behaviour, and memory loss.
Dr Alois Alzheier examined her brain and found amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary (essentially abnormal clumps and tangled brain fibres).
Alzheimer’s can change the brain in many ways – however, the main features of Alzheimer’s are:
- Plaques in the brain (amyloid plaques)
- Tangles in the brain (neurofibrillary)
- Loss of connections in brain cells (between neurons/ nerve cells)
- Cell death
- Vascular issues
- Chronic inflammation
There is rarely just one single cause of Alzheimer’s. Instead, it is thought to occur due to a combination of genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors.
Characterised by the accumulation of abnormal protein deposits in the brain, Alzheimer’s leads to the degeneration and eventual death of brain cells, resulting in a range of unpleasant symptoms.
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Does Alcohol Increase The Risk of Developing Alzheimer’s?
In short, yes – it is thought that excessive alcohol consumption can increase the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease.
Several studies have explored the links between alcohol and dementia – and found that excessive alcohol consumption can increase the risk of developing dementia.
A study with 9087 participants (both men and women) examined the links between alcohol consumption and the risk of dementia. 397 of the study participants developed dementia over a follow-up of around 23 years.
The study found that the risk of dementia increased in those who abstained from alcohol in their midlife or consumed over 14 units of alcohol per week. These findings encourage the revision of these guidelines to promote cognitive health in old age and prevent cognitive decline.
It is also thought that moderate alcohol intake, defined as up to one standard drink per day for women and up to two standard drinks per day for men, has been associated with a reduced risk of dementia in some studies. Alcohol’s vasodilatory properties, which can improve blood flow and reduce inflammation, may contribute to this protective effect.
Ultimately excessive alcohol consumption can damage the brain and increase the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease.
Chronic alcohol misuse can lead to neuronal loss, impaired neurotransmission, and structural changes in the brain, all of which are detrimental to cognitive function.
Additionally, heavy drinking is often associated with other risk factors for Alzheimer’s, such as cardiovascular disease and hypertension.
What Is Alcohol-Related Dementia?
Alcohol-related dementia (ARD) is a form of dementia caused by excessive alcohol consumption. It can include a range of cognitive impairments such as:
- Memory loss
- Executive dysfunction
- Changes in personality
- Behavioural changes
ARD can manifest as two distinct syndromes: Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome (WKS) and Alcohol-related Brain Damage (ARBD).
Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome is a severe and often irreversible condition characterised by symptoms such as confusion, ataxia (loss of muscle coordination), and ophthalmoplegia (paralysis of eye muscles).
It results from thiamine (vitamin B1) deficiency, which is common in people with chronic alcoholism. Without prompt treatment, WKS can progress to Korsakoff syndrome, marked by profound memory loss and confabulation.
Alcohol-related Brain Damage refers to a broader range of cognitive deficits associated with chronic alcohol misuse, including impairments in learning, attention, and executive function.
Unlike WKS, ARBD may be partially reversible with abstinence from alcohol and appropriate nutritional support. However, prolonged alcohol misuse can lead to permanent brain damage and irreversible cognitive decline.
How to Prevent Alcohol-Related Brain Damage
Preventing alcohol-related brain damage begins with understanding and recognising the risks of excessive alcohol consumption and taking steps to moderate intake.
Here are some strategies to reduce the risk of developing ARBD and other alcohol-related dementias:
Reduce Your Alcohol Consumption
First of all, if you want to reduce the risk of alcohol-related brain damage, control your drinking habits. Stick to recommended guidelines for moderate alcohol intake, and avoid binge drinking or excessive alcohol consumption.
The NHS guidelines recommend that you drink no more than 14 units of alcohol per week spread across three or more days. This is roughly equivalent to six medium glasses of wine or pints of 4% beer).
Be sure to educate yourself about the risks associated with alcohol misuse and make informed decisions about your drinking habits.
Monitor Your Drinking Habits
If you don’t want to Stop drinking alcohol completely, it can be helpful to keep track of the amount of alcohol you consume. For example, you could track the units of alcohol you drink – this will help you to identify and address any patterns of excessive drinking.
Seek Help
If you struggle to control your alcohol consumption or have a history of alcohol misuse, seek professional help and support from addiction services or healthcare providers. This is something we can help with at Help4Addiction. We can find the best alcohol addiction services for you, giving you the best chance of overcoming alcoholism for good.
Maintain a Healthy Lifestyle
Adopting a balanced diet, engaging in regular physical activity, and managing stress can help protect brain health and reduce the risk of alcohol-related brain damage. Keep on top of your physical health, whether it be your blood pressure or stress levels. This can help to reduce the risk of alcohol-related dementia.
Control Your Drinking Today With Help4Addiction
If you or someone you know is struggling with alcohol misuse or addiction, our team at Help4Addiction is here to support you on your journey to recovery. We have been helping people living with addiction for years and can help you too.
We can connect you with the most suitable rehab clinic for you, whether you’re looking for inpatient rehab, outpatient options, or even online rehab.
From detoxification and rehabilitation to ongoing support and relapse prevention strategies, we can find the best addiction treatment for you. Contact us today to begin your recovery journey and prevent the risk of alcohol-related brain damage.
About Author
Nicholas Conn
Nicholas Conn is a leading industry addiction expert who runs the UK’s largest addiction advisory service and is regularly featured in the national press, radio and TV. He is the founder and CEO of a drug and alcohol rehab center called Help4addiction, which was founded in 2015. He has been clean himself since 2009 and has worked in the Addiction and Rehab Industry for over a decade. Nick is dedicated to helping others recover and get treatment for drug and alcohol abuse. In 2013, he released a book ‘The Thin White’ line that is available on Amazon.
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