Symptom 3. Problems with Balance and Coordination – The Unsteady Dance
Alcohol-induced dementia also has physical manifestations, with balance and coordination issues being the most prominent. Affected individuals may have unsteady gait, stumble often, or have difficulty with tasks that require hand-eye coordination, like tying shoelaces or buttoning a shirt.
Balance and coordination problems arise from alcohol’s harmful effects on the cerebellum, the brain’s ‘balance center.’ This brain region plays a pivotal role in maintaining posture and coordinating voluntary movements. Long-term alcohol abuse can lead to cerebellar atrophy, which impairs these functions.
Initially, the balance problems may be slight and dismissed as clumsiness. However, as the disease progresses, these issues can become more pronounced, eventually impacting the person’s ability to carry out daily activities. Recognizing these signs is essential as they could be an early indication of ARD, warranting further medical evaluation. (3)
