How alcohol affects your brain: 10 neurological warning signs you should never ignore

Alcohol does not affect the nervous system overnight. In most cases, the neurological changes develop slowly, so they are likely to be missed or narrowed down to stress, old age, or lack of sleep. If these warning signs are caught early, it will prevent long-term complications, and timely medical intervention can also be sought.

Signs to look out for:

One of the first symptoms is a foggy brain. If you are thinking slower than usual, having a harder time concentrating, or working harder to get through everyday tasks, alcohol could be interrupting your brain’s normal functioning. These symptoms can also be seen in people who are not drinking.

Being forgetful is another common warning sign. Losing your train of thought, forgetting things, missing appointments or having trouble learning new information are often signs that alcohol is affecting parts of the brain involved in learning and memory.

If you observe a change in balance or coordination, it should be taken seriously, as alcohol works on the cerebellum, the part of the brain that controls balance and movement. If you are having trouble walking steadily, dropping things more often, or having poor hand coordination, it could be a neurological problem. This is especially problematic if these symptoms are occurring when you are sober.

Another complication of long-term alcohol use that is known is damage to the peripheral nerves. Alcohol related peripheral neuropathy signs include tingling, numbness, burning sensations or weakness in the hands and feet. These symptoms usually develop slowly and may become irreversible with continued alcohol exposure.

Alcohol is a sleep aid and may help you fall asleep initially but it disrupts the restorative cycles of sleep. If you find yourself sleepy during the day, waking up tired and not mentally alert (even though you are getting enough sleep), this could be a sign of poor-quality sleep due to alcohol.

Changes in mood and behaviour may also indicate changes in the brain. Alcohol affects the neurotransmitters that regulate mood and decision making and this can lead to increased irritability, anxiety, mood swings, poor judgement or impulsive behaviour.

Seek medical attention if you have more advanced neurological symptoms. These include multiple black outs, tremors, slurred speech, confusion, difficulty walking, seizures or episodes of altered consciousness. These symptoms may be a sign of serious brain injury, severe vitamin deficiency or alcohol withdrawal complications.

Not everyone who drinks alcohol will go on to have neurological complications but the risk increases with the amount of alcohol consumed, binge drinking, poor nutrition and long-term use. Conditions such as diabetes or liver disease may increase susceptibility to nerve damage.

Many alcohol-related neurological problems can be reversed, at least with early diagnosis. Reducing alcohol consumption, good nutrition, correction of vitamin deficiencies and early medical evaluation when symptoms first start can be very helpful.

If you ignore the warning signs, damage creeps up quietly. By monitoring changes in memory, coordination, sensation, and thinking, the nervous system can be protected before irreversible damage occurs.

(The author is a senior consultant neurologist and clinical lead – Parkinson’s Disease & Movement Disorders, Fortis Hospital, Noida)

The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not purport to reflect the opinions or views of THE WEEK.