Elderly subjects with chronic alcohol abuse are more vulnerable to the onset of alcoholic liver disease (ALD). Symptoms and signs of ALD and its complications are similar to those seen in patients of all ages, and treatment is mainly focused on alcohol abstinence (Seitz and Stickel, 2007).

What is the main disease associated with drinking excessive alcohol?

Over time, excessive alcohol use can lead to the development of chronic diseases and other serious problems including: High blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, liver disease, and digestive problems. Cancer of the breast, mouth, throat, esophagus, voice box, liver, colon, and rectum.

What does alcohol do to the elderly?

In older adults, too much alcohol can lead to balance problems and falls, which can result in hip or arm fractures and other injuries. Older people have thinner bones than younger people, so their bones break more easily. Studies show that the rate of hip fractures in older adults increases with alcohol use.

What are some of the physical hazards associated with alcoholism in the elderly?

Besides the increased safety concerns alcohol brings to adults aged 65 and older, it can cause numerous health problems, and increase the risks for and consequences of conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, congestive heart failure, liver and bone problems, memory issues and other neurological complications, 4

Why do older adults abuse alcohol?

Increased Sensitivity to Alcohol Aging can lower the body’s tolerance for alcohol. Older adults generally experience the effects of alcohol more quickly than when they were younger. This puts alcohol abuse in seniors at higher risks for falls, car crashes, and other unintentional injuries that may result from drinking.

What is alcohol cardiomyopathy?

Alcoholic cardiomyopathy is a form of heart disease caused by alcohol abuse. Long-term alcohol abuse weakens and thins the heart muscle, affecting its ability to pump blood. When your heart can’t pump blood efficiently, the lack of blood flow disrupts all your body’s major functions.

Can dementia be caused by alcohol?

Alcohol consumption in excess has well-documented negative effects on both short- and long-term health, one of which is brain damage that can lead to Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia.

How is alcohol use disorder in the elderly treated?

Elderly subjects with chronic alcohol abuse are more vulnerable to the onset of alcoholic liver disease (ALD). Symptoms and signs of ALD and its complications are similar to those seen in patients of all ages, and treatment is mainly focused on alcohol abstinence (Seitz and Stickel, 2007).

What is alcohol dementia?

Alcohol related dementia, as the name suggests, is a form of dementia related to the excessive drinking of alcohol. This affects memory, learning and other mental functions.

How much alcohol can an 80 year old drink?

Moderate drinking for the elderly of both genders is no more than one drink per day, where a drink is defined as 12 oz of beer, 5 oz of wine, or 1.5 oz of spirits.