Korsaoff’s Syndrome PTP

Many people often worry only about liver health when we talk about alcohol addiction or chronic alcohol poisoning. But did you know that another important system in the body that can be equally damaged by alcohol addiction is the brain and nervous system? This is called alcohol-related dementia.
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<h2>Because “Alcohol” Affects the Nervous System</h2>
The effects of alcohol on the brain, besides the immediate short-term effects that drinkers are well aware of, can cause short-term memory loss (Amnesia) feeling confused, unable to remember events during that time, staggering, difficulty maintaining balance, or what we commonly call being “drunk.” However, if alcohol is consumed in large amounts over a long period, leading to chronic alcohol poisoning, the effects on the brain and nervous system will cause brain atrophy because alcohol is absorbed and directly destroys brain cells, reduces the efficiency of waste removal in brain cells, damages brain tissue, and importantly, alcohol prevents the body from absorbing vitamin B1. This causes the hippocampus part of the brain to shrink, resulting in loss of memory and speech abilities, known as Korsakoff’s Syndrome or alcohol-related dementia.
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<h2>Warning Signs of Alcohol-Related Dementia</h2>
In patients addicted to alcohol or with chronic alcohol poisoning, if early dementia symptoms appear, it may still be possible to treat and restore memory. But if left untreated, permanent dementia may develop. Therefore, patients and those around them should observe the following early symptoms:
<ul>
<li>Confusion, disorientation about time, day and night</li>
<li>Problems with speech and communication, such as difficulty finding words, repeatedly asking the same questions</li>
<li>Irritability, easily angered, hot-tempered, lack of self-control</li>
<li>Memory problems, inability to remember short-term events</li>
<li>Brain unable to process or solve problems that were previously manageable</li>
</ul>
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<h2>Examination of Brain Damage from Alcohol</h2>
In individuals addicted to alcohol who are suspected of having alcohol-related dementia, doctors will perform an initial diagnosis starting with a history of alcohol consumption, drinking patterns, frequency, quantity, and type of alcohol, along with a thorough physical examination to test the nervous system, muscles, and autonomic nervous system functions such as balance, reflexes, and memory tests. Additionally, doctors will conduct laboratory tests such as liver function tests, vitamin B levels, blood sugar and lipid levels, blood protein levels, and may perform brain imaging to assess the extent of brain and nervous system damage.
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<h2>Treatment of Brain Damage from Alcohol</h2>
Since the brain has been damaged by alcohol over a long and continuous period, doctors need patients to stop drinking alcohol to reduce the amount of toxins that further destroy brain cells and provide vitamin B1 intravenously to replace what the body lacks. This may help the damaged brain recover if the damage is not severe. After that, complications from alcohol addiction such as high blood lipids or nutritional deficiencies will be treated.
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<h2>Rehabilitation and Treatment for Alcohol Addiction</h2>
Besides treating alcohol-related dementia, patients addicted to alcohol also need addiction treatment. Initially, alcohol users must undergo detoxification, where doctors monitor symptoms and help patients stop or reduce alcohol consumption while providing medications to relieve withdrawal symptoms, such as Naltrexone, which reduces the pleasure from drinking, or Disulfiram, which prevents drinking by causing headaches, nausea, and vomiting if alcohol is consumed while taking the medication. After completing detoxification, patients enter rehabilitation involving group therapy activities to train skills for behavioral change, self-discipline, good family relationships, self-confidence, and returning to life without relying on alcohol.
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It can be seen that the harmful effects of alcohol consumption not only affect life and property but also cause severe physical damage when consumed excessively and continuously over a long period, potentially causing permanent brain damage such as dementia.

Many people often worry only about liver health when we talk about alcohol addiction or chronic alcohol poisoning. But did you know that another important system in the body that can be equally damaged when in a state of alcohol addiction is the brain and nervous system? This is called alcohol-related dementia.

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Amnesia from chronic alcohol poisoning (Korsakoff’s Syndrome)

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