Podcast 581: Alcohol Complications

Altered mental status/confusion are major symptoms associated with both alcohol use and withdrawal.

Wernicke's encephalopathy is a triad of symptoms of confusion, internuclear ophthalmoplegia, and confabulation

The treatment for Wernicke's is IV thiamine or vitamin B1

Untreated Wernicke's leads to Korsakoff's syndrome where a prolonged thiamine deficiency leads to worsening brain function

Subdural hematomas from torn bridging veins are common in alcoholics because of the combination of frequent falls and cerebral atrophy caused by alcohol.

Alcohol is a major cause of heart failure and atrial fibrillation; "holiday heart" is a-fib induced by binge drinking where high levels of acetaldehyde from the metabolism of alcohol excite the heart.

Frequent alcohol use is linked to esophageal cancer

Alcoholic cirrhosis can lead to a multitude of complications including esophageal varices that can rupture often with fatal outcomes

Aspiration pneumonia is more common in alcoholics because of a depressed gag reflex and alteration of oral flora