Dangers of Alcohol on the Brain Revealed by Top Neurologists
Brain Atrophy and Alzheimer’s Accelerated by Alcohol Consumption, Says Expert
A renowned “brain doctor” has shed light on the hazardous effects of alcohol, emphasizing how it leads to premature brain atrophy and advances the development of Alzheimer’s disease. Dr. Por Tek Tung exposes the correlation between alcohol consumption and various health issues, including vascular problems, stroke, low blood platelets, and an increased risk of death and disability. Shockingly, Dr. Por Tek Tung reveals that 80-90% of accidents occurring after 10 pm are alcohol-related. In light of these findings, he strongly advises against drinking and driving and encourages the use of public transportation instead.
The Widespread Health and Social Effects of Alcohol
During a recent seminar titled “Alcohol and the Brain …Truth of Drinkers” held at the Mandarin Samyan Hotel on September 19th, Dr. Phongthep Wongwatcharapaiboon, Director of the Health System Development Support Office at the Thai Health Promotion Foundation, presented alcohol as a harmful substance with far-reaching consequences for health and society. Citing data from the World Health Organization, Dr. Wongwatcharapaiboon disclosed that alcohol poisoning claims approximately 3 million lives globally each year and contributes to over 230 types of diseases. Additionally, the latest statistics from the National Statistical Office indicate that 28% of Thais aged 15 and above consume alcohol, with heavy drinking being prevalent among 10.05% of the population.
Alcohol’s Adverse Effects: Health, Social, and Economic Impact
Dr. Wongwatcharapaiboon further discussed the detrimental effects of alcohol, ranging from health implications such as liver disease and ischemic heart disease to social and cultural consequences like family violence, domestic disputes, and road accidents. Economically, alcohol consumption results in significant losses, amounting to 165,450.5 million baht or 1.02% of Thailand’s GDP in 2021. These losses encompass both direct costs, such as medical expenses, and indirect costs, including the premature death toll of 159,358.8 million baht. Moreover, excessive alcohol intake has been identified as a key factor contributing to a shorter average life expectancy for Thai men compared to women.
The Profound Impact of Alcoholic Beverages on the Brain
Neurological and cerebrovascular surgeon, Dr. Pracha Kanyaprasit from Ram Chiang Mai Hospital, elucidated how alcoholic drinks directly and indirectly affect the brain. Directly, alcohol shortens the lifespan of brain cells, accelerating premature brain atrophy and the onset of Alzheimer’s disease. Indirectly, alcohol adversely affects various body systems, with the vascular system being particularly susceptible. Alcohol-induced inflammation, blockages, and fragility of blood vessels increase the risk of strokes. The liver’s impaired ability to produce clotting factors causes smaller blood platelets, while high blood pressure contributes to brain hemorrhages. These factors collectively heighten the likelihood of disabilities and fatalities, further underscoring the imperative of not drinking and driving.
Combatting Alcohol-Related Accidents and Promoting Responsible Drinking
Sharing his experience as the manager of the Po Tek Tung rescue unit, Mr. Jirattikorn Banjongkit highlights the concerning role alcohol plays in accidents. He discloses that a staggering 80% of accidents occurring after 10 pm are attributable to alcohol consumption. On weekends and holidays, this percentage soars to over 90%. In light of this troubling data, Banjongkit advocates for increased checkpoints, with pubs and bars actively campaigning against drinking and driving. He also emphasizes the availability of the “Don’t Drink and Drive” project, which provides free transportation services through the Por Tek Tung hotline. Notably, Banjongkit urges the government to refrain from extending alcohol sale hours, given the already burdensome challenges associated with alcohol-related issues.
A Personal Account: Living with the Consequences of Alcohol Abuse
Mr. Rangsan Chuenprasert, a 58-year-old resident of the Amphawa Temple community in Bangkok, shares his personal journey grappling with alcohol abuse. Having consumed alcohol and smoked cigarettes since his teenage years, Chuenprasert experienced a decline in his health, characterized by dizziness and vertigo-like symptoms. However, it wasn’t until he suffered from partial paralysis, impaired speech, and chronic diseases that he sought medical attention. Reflecting on the devastating impact alcohol had on his own health and the loss of friends along the way, Chuenprasert passionately urges others to significantly reduce or cease alcohol consumption before it’s too late.
A “brain doctor” reveals the dangers of “alcohol” causing premature brain atrophy. Alzheimer’s faster Adding to problems with the vascular system, stroke, low blood platelets, high risk of death, disability, “Por Tek Tung” reveals that it collects the causes of accidents after 10 pm, that 80-90% of them drunk. He advises not to drink and drive, use public transport instead.
On 19 September at the Mandarin Samyan Hotel at the seminar “Alcohol and the Brain …Truth of drinkers” Dr Phongthep Wongwatcharapaiboon Director of the Health System Development Support Office Thai Health Promotion Foundation said that alcoholic beverages are distributed as a harmful substance. which has wide-ranging health and social effects. Data from the World Health Organization found that around 3 million people worldwide die from alcohol poisoning each year, which is the cause of more than 230 types of disease. Data from the Office found National Statistical in 2021 there are 57 million Thai People aged 15 and over The number of people who drank alcohol fell from 28.40% in 2017 to 28%, with males drinking 46.4% and females drinking 10.8% 5.73 million people had heavy drinking in the last 12 months, accounting for 10.05%, divided into regular heavy drinkers 1.37 million people, accounting for 2.40%, and occasional heavy drinkers, 4.36 million people, accounting for 7.65%, with heavy drinkers likely to fall from 11.9% in 2017 to 10.05% in 2021.
Dr Phongthep said, from research on the cost of social effects of alcohol consumption in Thailand in 2021, the estimated economic loss from alcoholic beverages is 165,450.5 million baht or 1.02% of GDP and is calculated as 2,500 baht per person. and indirect costs of premature death of 159,358.8 million baht Alcohol causes adverse effects: 1. Health, such as liver disease, ischemic heart disease. Alcohol is very toxic. 2. Social and cultural aspects such as family violence, quarrels, road accidents. 3. Economic and national development, such as the loss of medical costs There are problems with work duties. Property damage Lack of opportunities for economic growth The average life expectancy of Thai men in 2021 is 73.5 years, 7 years lower than women, which is partly due to the consumption of alcoholic beverages. Set strategies for policy, academics, civil society and spatial working Create a Thai society away from the dangers of alcohol. Because our body only has one body. Unchangeable Must be well looked after so that it can be used well into old age. Therefore, I would like to invite you to use this opportunity to abstain from drinking during the Buddhist Lent. Find time to rest your liver. Reduce brain damage Take a serious break from drinking. Or it would be better to abstain from drinking.
Dr. Pracha Kanyaprasit Neurological and cerebrovascular surgeon Ram Chiang Mai Hospital said that alcoholic drinks affect the brain directly and indirectly. As a direct result, the lifespan of the brain is shortened. premature brain atrophy Alzheimer’s happens sooner than it should, for example, some people may start to fade at the age of 90, but in just 50 years they will start to be unrecognizable. Regarding the indirect effects It will be transmitted through other body systems such as 1. Vascular system. Coronary heart metabolic system liver Alcohol causes blood vessels to become inflamed, worsen, become blocked, or become brittle. Strokes can occur more than people who do not drink. 2. Does the liver’s job of producing substances that cause blood to clot less work. Makes blood platelets smaller 3. Causes high blood pressure when drinking. The blood vessel could not cope with the pressure and burst. Brain haemorrhage 3. There was an accident. It will cause a lot of bleeding, the bleeding will stop slowly, or the bleeding will not stop. Surgery is difficult because it is difficult to stop the bleeding. It increases the risk of being disabled and dying more than people who don’t drink, so it’s important not to drink and drive.
Mr Jirattikorn Banjongkit, manager of the Po Tek Tung rescue unit, told of his experience in providing aid to injured people. After 10 pm, 80% of the number of accidents that occurred were found to be caused by drunkenness. and holidays, Saturdays, Sundays, or holidays increase to more than 90%, which will be difficult to help As drunk people cannot control their consciousness, they are confused and give confusing information. Sometimes they attack officers. Destroying things on an ambulance So, I would like to propose that more checkpoints are set up Pubs and bars must join in campaigning for people who drink not to drive. Use public transport or substitute a driver service In Bangkok and the surrounding areas, there is a don’t drink and drive project with Por Tek Tung. Call the helpline 1418 and ask a Po Tek Tung officer to help you drive you home free of charge. However, as a downstream worker, I do not want the government to have a policy to extend the hours for the sale of alcoholic beverages. Because today the problems that burden us are heavy enough.
Mr. Rangsan Chuenprasert, president of the Amphawa Temple community, Bangkok Noi District, Bangkok, aged 58, said he started drinking alcohol. Smoked cigarettes from the age of 17 until the age of 27. He worked as an engineer, supervising technicians. After work, he ate and drank in various restaurants. Do this behavior for many years in a row until you start to notice that health starts to decline Drink a little but feel dizzy like a very drunk person. So I started to stop drinking and turned to looking after my health. But he did not take the medicine strictly as prescribed by the doctor. Until he had more health problems, he couldn’t walk straight, he sat and passed out, he had symptoms of vertigo, so he went to see a doctor. But while waiting to see a doctor, the symptoms recurred, burning eyes, stiff tongue , unable to speak clearly. One side of the limb is paralyzed. The other side is weak. which is a symptom of chronic disease as a result of drinking alcohol Have been smoking for a long time, even after giving up But if you neglect your health It will cause the symptoms to get worse, and friends who were used to eat and drink together starting to get sick. and many people died So, I’d like to invite you to seriously cut back and stop drinking before it’s too late.
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