What is brain atrophy...?

Question

My uncle has been in the hospital. I dont know what his entire or full history is but this is what I know. He is depressed (possible for months or longer), he has started drinking (for months also), he's mixing his meds with his drinking, he's not eating. It got so bad an somone called the ambulance. He was at home, confused, disoriented, he could barely walk, loss of memory...when he got to the hospital he weighed 120 lbs. All this info I know only from my mother telling me. Test results said his sodium levels were through the roof, his potassium level was 2, his electrolytes were shot...
My cousin emailed me recently. She called the hospital and talked to a nurse. the nurse told her something my family doesnt know (i think). My cousin said something that her family was telling her and what she knew of her dad weren't adding up. The nurse told her he has brain atrophy. What is it...as it relates to my uncle. Is it from drinking to much? Depression? He is in his 40's.

Answer 1

http://www.bic.mni.mcgill.ca/users/louis/brain_atrophy.html

Answer 2

Any atrophy means something that is deteriorating. I know that drinking can eat your brain cells. I also know that depression is a physical illness that is caused by problems in the brain, but simply affects the mood (not what people normally think, that it is the other way around). No matter what the cause, he needs intensive help and support. I hope they keep him for a while and help him get back on his feet. If he weighs so little, his whole body is probably breaking down. Good luck. I hope he gets better.

Answer 3

Muscle atrophy occurs when a muscle no longer functions properly. I can only surmise that your uncle's brain no longer functions normally. High sodium levels are from too much salt, low potassium levels are from improper diet, electrolytes can be replentished easily, and too much drinking and drugs can result in brain damage. He is depressed or he wouldn't have acted out in ways to destroy himself. The good news is this--when a portion of one's brain is injured or damaged, another part takes over. He needs to quit drinking and take his prescribed meds.

Answer 4

Atrophy, in general, means a wasting away of tissue. Literally, the organ in question has fewer cells (or in the case of muscle tissue, both fewer and smaller cells).

Atrophy of the brain can have many underlying causes, and severe alcoholism is one of them. This would be pretty unusual in an adult in their 40's, but not impossible. Other causes may also be involved.

Such atrophy would definitely be associated with decline in cognitive function, disorientation, and loss of motor control.

Answer 5

"atrophy" means something that has gotten smaller than normal. It's usually used as a term when people don't use certain muscles for a long time, legs,ect.