Alcolholism. I need an answer.?

Question

My husband is an alcolholic. He is now suffering date memory loss. I realise this is a symtom of his gradual mental decline due to his intake of excessive alcolhol. Does this have a name?

Answer 1

I have heard of a memory condition alcohol related called korsikoff, not sure if its the same thing, but may just be a lead for you.What causes Korsakoff's syndrome?
Korsakoff's syndrome is caused by lack of thiamine (vitamin B1), which affects the brain and nervous system. Excessive use of alcohol is often the cause of thiamine deficiency. This is because:

Many heavy drinkers have poor eating habits. Their nutrition is inadequate and will not contain essential vitamins.
Alcohol can inflame the stomach lining and impede the body's ability to absorb the key vitamins it receives.
Korsakoff's syndrome may also occur in other conditions where there is severe malnutrition, but this is extremely rare.

Korsakoff's is part of the Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome, which consists of two separate but related stages: Wernicke's encephalopathy and Korsakoff's psychosis. However, not all cases of Korsakoff's are preceded by an episode of Wernicke's. Another term for Korsakoff's is 'alcohol amnestic syndrome', amnestic meaning loss of memory.

What is Wernicke's encephalopathy?
An encephalopathy is a disorder affecting the brain. Wernicke's encephalopathy usually develops suddenly. There are three main symptoms, though these are not always present, so diagnosis may be difficult. They are:

Answer 2

Excessive drinking over a period of years may lead to a condition known as Alcohol Dementia, which can cause problems with memory, learning and other cognitive skills.
Alcohol has a direct affect on brain cells, resulting in poor judgment, difficulty making decisions and lack of insight. Nutrition problems which often accompany long-time alcohol abuse can be another contributing factor, since parts of the brain may be damaged by vitamin deficiencies.

Answer 3

if u want a serious 1, mypartner now six weeks clean, had to put up with mood,illness and hell. Hes been drinking from 5am to bedtime bout 30 units a day for last ten years. nothing wrong with a drink but its no longer fun for him. TLC, understanding and a size 8 up the **** has worked for us! Its a symtom that the doctors can call all sorts of names but when it comes down to it its pure and sinple DTs or brain cell death, sorry to be harsh called dyscachia if u ant tech term

Answer 4

I'm not a Dr., but from what your describing it sounds like he got or is getting Dementia, and it will only progress. I work at a State Hospital and theirs a few there that has dementia from drinking heavy. Most have short term memory loss, long term is pretty much intact. Only a Psychiatrist can diagnose him having dementia.

Answer 5

My dad acquired Sclerosis of the liver. His last year of life was horrible. Due to intense pressure of liver, hemorrhages would happen to capillaries of the esophagus and would require "bondo" so to speak. He felt worse than terrible but would drink so his worse than terrible can upgrade to felt bad all day. The pressure could only allow him 2 or less hours of sleep a night. His liver I think was swollen twice its normal size within two years or so before his passing. He suffered worse than you can imagine. Hard to get comfortable sitting or lying down. One day he hemorrhaged so badly his scrotum filled with blood to the size of a cantaloupe, the surgery resulted in him becoming a eunuch. He suffered badly, I would not wish this on my worst enemy. Even though he would often get drunk and beat me badly with a large leather belt, I got no satisfaction from his suffering and remained saddened during his suffering final few years of life. Even now a tear comes to my eyes.

Answer 6

If you are in the UK look in the phone book and ring your local C.A.S if not local there should be a national number they will give you the correct information and if he won't accept help they will help you good luck and take care it's not a nice condition to have and not a joke for those who live that life, God bless

Answer 7

well maybe if you wernt so fu cking fat and ugly he would not have to drink so much just to come home so dont blame him try looking at yourself instead of blaming others.hope ive helped x. lots of love from the samaritens.

Answer 8

Alcoholism can lead to amnesia.

Answer 9

He does drink to much

Answer 10

Yep hes an ALCOHOLIC