Risk Factor - Alcohol
We all may enjoy a drink after a hard day at work or over the weekend with friends and family. However, alcohol causes problems when consumed excessively. High levels of alcohol consumption are dangerous and can even increase the risk of developing dementia. People who drink heavily (binge drink) are more likely to develop dementia which also can present at a younger age compared to nondrinkers and those who consume alcohol moderately. The exact mechanism of the effect of alcohol on developing dementia is not clear yet. It is suggested that alcohol impairs coordination and balance which increases the risk of incidents. Head injuries - caused by incidents or falls - can increase the risk of dementia by damaging the nerve cells in the brain. Also, prolonged and excessive alcohol consumption can reduce the brain volume and cause vitamin B1 (thiamine) deficiency which can present with memory loss and cognitive problems. Studies involving older adults show that individuals who consume light to moderate amounts of alcohol each week have a lower risk of developing dementia than those who do not drink at all (and never had) or drink excessively. Light to moderate drinking is typically defined as maximum of 10 standard drinks per week (learn more here). In Australia, one standard drink contains 10g of pure alcohol (equivalent to 12.5ml of pure alcohol) regardless of glass size or type of alcohol (such as beer, wine, or spirits). We would recommend that If you have never drank alcohol before, do not start for the purpose of brain protection against dementia. There is no evidence that moderate alcohol consumption has preventive effects for dementia. Also, when deciding on a safe amount of alcohol to drink, consider medications you take and any health conditions you have. For most healthy people, generally a maximum of two standard drinks on any day is recommended. If in doubt, talk to your doctor. If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with cognitive impairment or dementia, it is important to speak with your doctor about alcohol use and whether it is safe to consume alcohol. Only your GP can provide tailored-to-your-circumstances advice on this. Your doctor may advise you to cut back or abstain from alcohol entirely as consumption of alcohol can worsen and accelerate dementia symptoms. Although most forms of dementia are irreversible, symptoms of alcohol-related dementia can be stopped or even reversed by abstaining from alcohol and following a healthy diet with vitamin supplementation. If you would like to see the latest Australian alcohol guidelines, please click here. The link also contains information about what is regarded as a standard drink.
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