My wife is 81 physically healthy. The past couple years using alcohol to controlling aggressiveness, swearing when mad or extreme agitation. A doctor who specializes in dementia recommended alcohol. I want to clarify the recommendation was NOT during a dr visit but in a social setting. Quick acting and no side effects and so comforting to her. She would calm down and knew this made her feel better. Before the fall she was doing well and had not consumed any alcohol, slipped after putting lotion on her foot.
Fall resulted in head hitting fiberglass bath tub. Used ice pack couple times and swelling subsided. Daughter and I noticed mental decline so emergency room visit 7 days later. We’ve done follow up visit with provider. Blood test show low electrolytes which I’m addressing. Scheduled MRI for brain scan and ultra sound for thyroid but that’s 3 weeks away. Seems like a long wait to get results, any thoughts or recommendations?
And a doctor who specializes in dementia recommended alcohol. Who told you this? Were you there yourself? I have never heard of worse advice, particularly from a doctor. Of dementia. Ye gods.
Alcohol is toxic. Alcohol is a Class 1 carcinogen. Alcohol causes brain damage. Alcohol shrinks brain volume and harms gray and white matter, affecting how signals are sent between parts of the brain. Alcohol affects memory. Alcohol can damage brain cells so that vitamins cannot be absorbed (or electrolytes), and that damages and kills brain cells. Alcohol raises risk of high blood pressure, heart disease and stroke from dysfunctioning blood flow. Alcohol causes problems with short-term memory. Alcohol causes difficulty with executive function. Alcohol causes change in fluid density in the inner ear, which regulates balance, and the effect of alcohol lingers into the next day or longer. Then there's irritability, apathy, mood swings, unsteady walking (even if haven't had a drink for a while), and lack of coordination. A daily drinker with a central nervous system that demands its "medicine" can have withdrawal symptoms that include shakiness, trembling, whatever, that you might not detect unless you're paying strict attention. LOOK UP WERNICKE-KORSAKOFF SYNDROME.
Note: Your wife is no longer physically healthy.
Another note: There are plenty of fine medications in this world that could have treated her aggressiveness and irritability. Some are very small tablets that you just put under the tongue and they dissolve. The patient doesn't need to know that you've given it to them, and they act within 15 minutes or maybe even less.
Be sure to let her specialists know about the alcohol "treatment." They need to understand that they are not only treating a cognitively declining patient with a possible brain injury but also one who may be addicted to alcohol.
Also, make sure she no longer drives.
I can't express how angry this "diagnosis" and "treatment" leading to injury makes me, because it wouldn't have had to be.
I would most certainly find a new doctor as any doctor that would recommend alcohol for anyone(on the clock or not) should lose their license and not be allowed to practice. I'm just saying.
I suggest you take your wife to an ER right away.
This based on my FIL falling on a concrete patio and going through quite the ordeal before getting him the care he needed. He was being “observed” at a rural hospital and fast tracked on his way to an NH until we got him away from them.
Alcohol is toxic.
And alcohol is known to worsen cognitive issues, so whatever doctor is recommending the consumption of it should not be practicing medicine in social settings or elsewhere.
"Why Alcohol is Not Recommended for Dementia Patients
Worsened Cognitive Decline: Alcohol is a neurotoxin that can accelerate brain cell damage and worsen memory, confusion, and judgment.
Dangerous Medication Interactions: Most dementia patients take prescription drugs for memory, mood, behavioral symptoms, or other health conditions. Alcohol frequently interacts poorly with these medications, causing extreme drowsiness, dizziness, or severe side effects.
Increased Risk of Falls: Dementia already affects balance, coordination, and spatial awareness. Adding alcohol significantly raises the risk of dangerous falls and broken bones.
Behavioral Changes: Alcohol can increase agitation, aggression, anxiety, and wandering behaviors common in dementia."
Best of luck to your wife.
And alcohol is known to worsen cognitive issues, so whatever doctor is recommending the consumption of it should not be practicing medicine in social settings or elsewhere.
"Why Alcohol is Not Recommended for Dementia Patients
Worsened Cognitive Decline: Alcohol is a neurotoxin that can accelerate brain cell damage and worsen memory, confusion, and judgment.
Dangerous Medication Interactions: Most dementia patients take prescription drugs for memory, mood, behavioral symptoms, or other health conditions. Alcohol frequently interacts poorly with these medications, causing extreme drowsiness, dizziness, or severe side effects.
Increased Risk of Falls: Dementia already affects balance, coordination, and spatial awareness. Adding alcohol significantly raises the risk of dangerous falls and broken bones.
Behavioral Changes: Alcohol can increase agitation, aggression, anxiety, and wandering behaviors common in dementia."
Best of luck to your wife.
And alcohol is known to worsen cognitive issues, so whatever doctor is recommending the consumption of it should not be practicing medicine in social settings or elsewhere.
"Why Alcohol is Not Recommended for Dementia Patients
Worsened Cognitive Decline: Alcohol is a neurotoxin that can accelerate brain cell damage and worsen memory, confusion, and judgment.
Dangerous Medication Interactions: Most dementia patients take prescription drugs for memory, mood, behavioral symptoms, or other health conditions. Alcohol frequently interacts poorly with these medications, causing extreme drowsiness, dizziness, or severe side effects.
Increased Risk of Falls: Dementia already affects balance, coordination, and spatial awareness. Adding alcohol significantly raises the risk of dangerous falls and broken bones.
Behavioral Changes: Alcohol can increase agitation, aggression, anxiety, and wandering behaviors common in dementia."
Best of luck to your wife.