Medical Questions » Alcohol Questions » Question No. 17
| Question: | I have a stupid doctor who says I must eat better and take vitamins because I drink too much. I am only a social drinker, and only get drunk every couple of weeks. He says I will get some berry disease if I don' t do as he tells me. I think he' s just a wowser, but I promised him I' d write you (sic) to prove him wrong. |
| Answer: | I have taken the liberty of significantly shortening your three page letter, but I think readers will get the general drift of its contents from the above extract.
Beriberi is a disease caused by an acute lack of thiamine (vitamin Bl). This vitamin is relatively common in the diet, and significant amounts can be found in liver, lean pork, yeast and all cereal grains. The disease occurs in those who are malnourished, and particularly in alcoholics, because alcoholics may obtain most of their calorie intake in the form of alcohol, and neglect their normal food intake.
In the early stages, the patient has a multitude of vague complaints including tiredness, loss of appetite, twitching and muscle cramps and pains. Swollen joints, shooting pains, paralysis of feet and hands, and heart abnormalities are late symptoms of a very advanced form of the disease.
Beriberi is easily treated by giving the patient thiamine (vitamin Bl), and a well balanced diet. Some authorities have argued that thiamine should be added to alcoholic drinks to prevent beriberi, in the same way that iodine is added to salt to prevent goitres.
Your GP is right, you should take vitamin B and watch your diet, but better still, seriously consider your alcohol intake. Your GP can do blood tests to see if alcohol has affected your liver.
You may not want to believe it, but from your letter I would have no hesitation in diagnosing you as an alcoholic. This is not a criticism of you, but the truth, and the sooner you, and others, realise that this condition is a disease that requires specific medical treatment, the better for all concerned. Get back to that good GP of yours for further advice and help. |
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