Alcohol and Dementia

It is well known that alcohol abuse or alcoholism has many negative effects on a person’s life, which can be physical and mental as well as social in nature. According to wiki the ill effects to physical health associated with alcohol consumption may include cirrhosis of the liver, pancreatitis, epilepsy, polyneuropathy, heart disease, increased chance of cancer, nutritional deficiencies, sexual dysfunction, and death from many sources.

Among the detrimental effects of alcohol on brain function and thus psychological well being are conditions such as anxiety and depression disorders, with as many as 25% of alcoholics presenting with severe psychiatric disturbances. Chronic alcohol misuse can also cause panic disorder to develop or worsen. There can also be very serious social repercussions of alcoholism, a person’s interpersonal relationships, and professional abilities can also be impaired due to alcohol dependence. Marital conflict, domestic violence and divorce can all be the negative effects of alcoholism.

While it is well known that alcohol abuse kills brain cells now there is increased evidence that binge drinking increases the risk of dementia.

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Age Related Memory Loss

It is true that we age and that our brain inevitably ages with us. What is also true is that the decline in our brains does then lead to memory lapses and other difficulties. The good news is that this does not happen to everyone, and the severity of it is not uniform. There is no reason why many of us won’t continue to live happy, healthy, fruitful lives even in the twilight of our years.

In fact general aging and age related memory loss will not affect the following functions:
• How to do the things you’ve always done and do often
• The wisdom and knowledge you’ve acquired from life experience
• Your innate common sense
• The ability to form reasonable arguments and judgments
• The ability to learn new skills and make then routine (though it might take longer)

The memory may be affected in these following ways, which is par for the course and nothing to worry about:

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