Recently, I saw a young man in his thirties who came with complaints of involuntary movements such as seizures and tremors throughout his body. On questioning, he admitted that he had been drinking alcohol since early adolescence and had only recently stopped after becoming unwell. ALSO READ: More than just drinking: When calm doesn’t feel like home Alcohol is well known to cause adverse health effects. It harms the body in various ways. The risk of harm depends on the type of alcoholic drink, the age at which drinking begins, the amount consumed, the duration of use, and the gender of the person. The earlier one starts drinking, the greater the risk of long-term adverse health effects. ALSO READ: Alcohol, the curse we pass down unknowingly One of the most striking effects of alcohol use is involuntary movements. These may include tremors of the hands, limbs, legs, or even the entire body. This can be frightening for both the patient and those around them. ALSO READ: Let us talk about alcohol, writes First Lady Jeannette Kagame These abnormal movements occur due to different types of alcohol-induced damage. Alcohol can directly affect the cerebellum, the part of the brain responsible for balance. This damage develops slowly and progressively, leading to tremors of the hands and head, along with difficulty walking in later stages. Hand tremors can interfere with simple daily tasks such as writing, buttoning clothes, or eating. With regular alcohol use, body cells, including brain cells, become accustomed to its presence. As a result, at the usual time of drinking, the body develops cravings. If alcohol is suddenly stopped, withdrawal symptoms may occur, including involuntary movements. These can range from hand tremors to jerky limb movements. Although often brief, they can be distressing. During such episodes, there is also a risk of injury due to falls, which may lead to fractures or burns from accidental exposure to fire. In severe cases, the involuntary movements may involve the entire body, as in a generalized seizure. Head injuries from falls may result in additional neurological complications. Prolonged seizures or seizures occurring during sleep can be life-threatening due to aspiration of fluids and choking. Seizures may also be triggered in individuals with epilepsy. A person accustomed to alcohol may drink one day and skip the next, making them prone to seizures 6 to 72 hours after drinking. Binge drinking can also precipitate acute seizures. In addition, alcohol may reduce the effectiveness of certain anti-epileptic drugs. Therefore, individuals with epilepsy who are on medication should be extremely cautious about alcohol use, as reduced drug efficacy can lead to poor seizure control and increased frequency of attacks. Alcohol is also a known risk factor for stroke through multiple mechanisms. In such cases, part of the brain is damaged due to interruption of blood supply. A stroke involving certain areas of the brain may manifest as involuntary movements of the head and, or, limbs. A person experiencing these involuntary movements often struggles with walking steadily or performing simple daily activities. This significantly affects quality of life and may lead to social withdrawal. In many societies, there is limited awareness of involuntary movements and seizures, and individuals affected are often stigmatized. They may feel embarrassed, which further contributes to isolation. These factors can lead to depression, and loneliness worsens it further. This in turn affects appetite and sleep, both essential for good health. In most cases, brain damage, once established, is irreversible and may progress. As a result, involuntary movements may become chronic, and seizures may recur. This creates fear and anxiety for the affected individual. Considering these harmful effects of alcohol on neurological function and bodily movements, it is best to avoid its use. The writer is a specialist in internal medicine.
