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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Suggest Treatment For Brain Dysfunction

My brother, aged 68, has been drinking heavily for at least 10 years. the first time he fell, he suffered a bleed in the brain and was in recovery for 7 months. (six years ago). In the past year, he has quit eating altogether three times, has fallen three times, and is currently in assisted living. His body is healing, but his mind is going. His long term memory is there, but he is saying things that make no sense and has been declared incompetent. Will this ever improve, or no?
Thu, 8 Jan 2015
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General & Family Physician,  's  Response
Hello and thank you for your question. It is very difficult to tell if his memory will improve at this point. Long term alcohol abuse and head trauma can both cause brain dysfunction. The best chance he has for recovery is to keep him busy and engaged in life. Sometimes after a few years off the alcohol, some function will return. Make sure that his doctors have checked him for Vitamin B12, folate and thiamine deficiencies as these are common in alcoholics and can worsen brain dysfunction.
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Suggest Treatment For Brain Dysfunction

Hello and thank you for your question. It is very difficult to tell if his memory will improve at this point. Long term alcohol abuse and head trauma can both cause brain dysfunction. The best chance he has for recovery is to keep him busy and engaged in life. Sometimes after a few years off the alcohol, some function will return. Make sure that his doctors have checked him for Vitamin B12, folate and thiamine deficiencies as these are common in alcoholics and can worsen brain dysfunction.