Excessive alcohol consumption increases risk of brain injury, reveals study

Excessive alcohol consumption is associated with increasing risk of a type of brain injury linked to memory and thought problems. This is what a new study points out in which researchers defined excessive consumption as eight or more alcoholic beverages per week.

This study, published in the journal Neurology, comes at a time when doctors and public health advocates are increasing awareness about alcohol use disorder and excessive alcohol consumption issues.

To help people reflect on their consumer habits, considering the main points of this report, I talked to the well-being expert CNN Dr. Leana Wen.

Alcohol affects the brain, but how much is alcohol too much? How can people recognize signs of problematic consumption in themselves and their loved ones? Is it necessary to refrain completely, or are there ways to have a healthy relationship with alcohol? Wen is an emergency doctor and Associate Professor at George Washington University. Previously, he was Baltimore Health Commissioner.

CNN: What does this new study show on alcohol and possible brain damage?

Dr. Leana Wen: This study involved a postmortem analysis of over 1,700 people with an average age of 75 at the time of their death. Scientists examined their brain tissue in search of signals of brain injury, including an injury called hyaline arteriolosclerosis, associated with memory and cognitive problems, and tau tangles associated with Alzheimer’s disease.

Separately, the researchers questioned family members about participating alcohol consumption. Participants were divided into four groups: those who never drank; those who consumed seven or less drinks weekly; those who consumed eight or more drinks weekly, defined as excessive consumption; and former heavy baby who stopped drinking.

Heavy drinkers showed a 133% higher probability of having hyaline arteriorsclerosis compared to non -drinkers, even after considering other factors that could affect brain health, such as smoking. Former heavy baby were 89% more likely to develop this injury, and moderate drinkers had 60% more chances.

Heavy drinkers were also more likely to develop tau tails. In addition, these participants were more likely to die on average 13 years earlier compared to those who have never drank.

I believe these are convincing results that relate excessive alcohol consumption with lasting impacts on the brain. It is especially revealing that former heavy baby bears have evidence of sustained damage, although interrupting this excessive consumption seems to reduce the risk.

There are caveats in this study. It is important to note that these findings are suggestive associations rather than proof of cause and effect. In addition, a limitation of the study is that it did not measure the duration of alcohol consumption or distinguished between people who regularly consumed one or two drinks a night versus those who drank sporadically but heavily.

CNN: What is already known about how alcohol can affect the brain?

Wen: In the short term, alcohol use can interrupt brain communication pathways and make it difficult to control thinking, coordination, balance, speech and judgment. Large amounts of alcohol in a short time can lead to such significant commitment that key areas that control breathing and heart rate begin to fail.

People with alcohol use disorder may have progressive brain changes that affect thinking and cognition. For example, a condition known as Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome, linked to severe alcohol use, can be permanently disabling, with long-term memory loss. Minor quantities of alcohol were related to premature aging and brain reduction.

Given the numerous studies showing the effect of alcohol use on the brain, the findings of this new study are not a surprise.

CNN: What is the amount of alcohol considered excessive?

Wen: Adults of legal age to drink should not consume more than one drink a day for women and two drinks a day for men, according to US dietary guidelines for Americans.

But these guidelines are controversial. Earlier this year, then-US surgeon general surgeon Dr. Vivek H. Murthy issued guidance that alcohol consumption within the recommended quantities may be linked to the high risk of cancer.

Some people who follow these guidelines could be considered heavy drinkers, according to this new study. A man can consume, for example, two drinks a day for five days a week and exceed eight drinks a week, which in this study is associated with signs of brain injury.

Another way to evaluate excessive alcohol consumption is to check for abusive consumption. Abusive consumption is defined as four or more drinks on one occasion for women and five or more drinks on an occasion for men, according to US disease control and prevention centers. People who practice abusive consumption have a higher risk of injury, such as car accidents and falls. In addition, it is believed that the large amount of alcohol to which their bodies are exposed causes more stress to their organs than if drinks were metabolized over time.

CNN: Does excessive consumption result in addiction? How can people recognize signs of problematic consumption in themselves or their loved ones?

Wen: There are two separate but related questions. One is the level of alcohol consumption that exceeds the recommended quantities, whether weekly or at once through abusive consumption. Any type of excessive consumption can result in long -term problems, including impacts on the brain, heart and liver.

Another issue is the physiological dependence of alcohol and the problems arising from a condition called alcohol use disorder. The month of alcohol awareness is a time to increase awareness of this disorder, which is the most common substance use disorder in the United States. Nearly 29 million Americans 12 years or older meet the criteria for diagnosis, which include loss of control over how much they drink, difficulty meeting work responsibilities and care, and physical symptoms when they stop drinking, such as nausea and sweating.

People can make various self -assessment questionnaires to detect problematic alcohol consumption. They may also be aware of alcohol use disorder signs in their loved ones. It is crucial that everyone knows that there is effective treatment for alcohol use disorder. No one should suffer alone.

CNN: Is it necessary to refrain completely, or are there ways to have a healthy relationship with alcohol?

Wen: This is a much debated area between clinicians and public health specialists. The consensus is usually that less is better. Health professionals will not tell someone who does not drink to start drinking. In addition, consensus is clear that excessive consumption is a problem. Abusive consumption is associated with many risks.

Where to draw the line to define the heavy use of alcohol is not totally clear. Increasingly research, including this study, they begin to show that even the use of alcohol within the currently recommended guidelines may be associated with negative consequences.

At the same time, I believe it is possible for people to have a healthy relationship with alcohol. One way to evaluate the relationship with alcohol is with sobriety challenges, such as dry January and sober October. These experiences can help people take stock of exactly how much they are drinking, how they feel when they abstain and when and why they drink.

For example, do they drink to mask negative feelings? Do you feel ashamed or loss of control for the amount you drink? These are signs of warning that people need to seek help from a mental health specialist or their primary care doctor. Individuals who drink a lot should also be careful not to stop suddenly, as the effects of sudden abstinence can be dangerous. Those who want to reduce should do so under the care of their doctor.

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This content was originally published in excessive alcohol consumption increases the risk of brain injury, reveals a study on CNN Brazil.

Source: CNN Brasil