Have you ever wondered about the possibility of an individual getting Intoxicated without even drinking alcohol?… This might come as a surprise but such situations do exist. Auto-brewery syndrome, or gut fermentation syndrome, is a very unfamiliar condition in which fungi in the gut quickly convert carbohydrates into alcohol. Over the years, stories of people claiming that they suffer from auto-brewery syndrome have been noticed, but researchers are in the process of researching its causes. In this article, we will be making known Auto-Brewery Syndrome, its Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment of this syndrome
What Exactly Is Auto Brewery Syndrome?
Auto-brewery syndrome is a peculiar, potentially underdiagnosed condition that is caused by the continuous development of certain types of fungus in the gut that converts carbohydrates into alcohol. Various microorganisms habit and live in the gastrointestinal tract. Bacteria is well known to account for the majority of these organisms, with fungi consisting of less than 0.1% of the microbes and microorganisms inside the average human gut (Candida, a type of yeast, is the most well-known and popular fungal species in the gut). Mostly, less amount of fungi rarely cause any issue in the human body but fungal overgrowth can have a very tremendous effect on a person’s well-being, health, and overall quality of life.
Yeasts and other species of fungi feed on the starch sugar and carbohydrates that are present in food, which is also converted into energy for the body. This routine also creates by-products and waste in the form of carbon dioxide and ethanol (a type of alcohol). The ethanol that fungal fermentation creates in the body will enter the blood vessels and travel throughout the body. People who suffer from drunkenness disease suffer the chances of having high blood alcohol levels after the intake of a little amount of alcohol or even no alcohol at all. Guts fermentation syndrome can also create the same physical and psychological symptoms that happen when a person is intoxicated or drunk.
Auto-brewery syndrome according to research is said to be a peculiarity that makes it a very rare disease. Because the auto-brewery disease is so rare, it is almost very difficult to diagnose it easily. In most cases, people may only notice that they suffer from drunkenness disease by accident. For example, some people only find out they have auto-fermentation syndrome if they unexpectedly fail a breathalyzer test or medical diagnosis. In most cases, the drunkenness disease is very noticeable by its physical and mental symptoms for a patient to seek medical attention and receive a diagnosis but most people overlook its signs and symptoms.
In most cases, if a person does go to a physician, they may be misdiagnosed if the medical practitioner is not familiar with the auto-brewery disease. While many individuals may assume auto-brewery disease affects adults only which is false, it can occur at any age. Children and adults both have the same probability to disclose and develop this syndrome, especially if they have an underlying medical issue that keeps them at risk of suffering from guts fermentation syndrome.
A case of auto-brewery syndrome was disclosed in a 61-year-old man who showed symptoms in January 2010 with a five-year history of unexplained drunkenness and intoxication. Following foot surgery, he was treated with antibiotics and noticed high signs of drunkenness after only one or two beers. He also noticed, that in some situations, he would undergo signs of intoxication without having a drink. As the symptoms developed, he noticed some crises and symptoms of intoxication occurred more when meals were missed or after exercise.
Causes of Auto-brewery Syndrome
Auto-brewery syndrome typically occurs when an abundance of yeast, a fungus species, exists in the gut. Although you cannot be born with this condition, you may be given birth to or develop another situation that increases your gambling and chances of having auto-brewery syndrome. Old ones, as well as children, can suffer from auto-brewery syndrome, especially if they have an existent illness that can trigger this syndrome.
Drunkenness disease typically occurs as an issue from another medical condition or even viral contamination or hormonal imbalance. Most times, an individual’s liver may not be able to digest or flush alcohol rapidly enough. Even a little amount of alcohol made from numerous yeast is enough to create symptoms of gut fermentation syndrome. Although, the auto-brewery syndrome has numerous causes some of the most common include:
Extended antibiotic use: Extended use of antibiotics can modify the gut’s microbiome and lead to excess growth of various fungi and yeast, potentially resulting in auto-brewery syndrome. Frequent use of antibiotics can massively increase a person’s gamble of suffering from auto-brewery syndrome.
High Carbohydrate dieting: Another familiar cause of the auto-brewery syndrome is a meal high in factory-processing foods and carbohydrates, which can lead to different gastrointestinal issues. Many people who suffer from auto-brewery syndrome report a diet high in calories and carbohydrates, which can harm your gut health.
Diabetes: Diabetes is a condition that may increase an individual’s chances of auto-brewery syndrome. If your diabetes is not managed, your blood sugar levels are more likely to rise and get to very high levels, increasing sugar levels and resulting in the rapid growth of yeast. Some individuals with unmanaged diabetes are more likely to develop gut fermentation syndrome.
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS): IBS is another underlying medical issue that may lead an individual to develop the auto-brewery syndrome. IBS is a medical issue, affecting many individuals in Europe. People with poorly managed or severe IBS may be more likely to suffer from auto-brewery syndrome and undergo its symptoms.
Crohn’s disease: Crohn’s disease is an inflammatory bowel disease that triggers inflammation of the digestive tract, leading to numerous symptoms, including pain, fatigue, diarrhea, and more. The inflammation caused by Crohn’s disease can include various segments of the digestive tract and acts upon people differently. People with Crohn’s disease may be at a very high risk of suffering from the auto-brewery syndrome.
Symptoms Of Auto-brewery Syndrome
Auto-brewery syndrome can make a person feel drunk without having to take any alcohol. In addition to feeling drunk without drinking, a person with auto-brewery syndrome may feel very intoxicated after only consuming a little or small amount of alcohol, such as one or two beers. These symptoms are the same as if a person was intoxicated or if they had too much to drink. Some psychological symptoms of auto-brewery syndrome are;
Mood changes: Auto-brewery syndrome often leads to mood changes and mood swings in those who suffer from them. Similar to if a person was intoxicated, auto-brewery may cause fast mood swings and cause patients to develop many distinct emotions in a short period.
Mental Disarray: A person may have mental confusion or struggle to focus on a job at hand because auto-brewery syndrome exhibits symptoms that are similar to those of being drunk or intoxicated. Brain fog and mental confusion are very common, as it can be destabilizing for a person to feel signs and symptoms of intoxication without even taking a bottle of beer.
Disorientation: People may refer to the auto-brewery syndrome as a drunkness illness because of its symptoms. Apart from feeling intoxicated, many people suffering from this also feel disoriented and have problems focusing their attention on their tasks. Slurred speech and trouble processing information mentally are common symptoms of this syndrome.
Physical signs: Numerous physical symptoms occur with auto-brewery syndromes, such as flushed skin, dizziness, and disorientation. Additionally, patients may experience headaches, dehydration, dry mouth burping, tiredness, etc.
Generally, Auto brewery syndrome has the following symptoms:
- drunk without drinking any alcohol
very drunk after only drinking a small amount of alcohol.
- Skin issues
- disorientation and confusion
- Headache pain
- Vomiting
- dehydration or desiccation
- dryness of the mouth
- belching
- Tiredness
- Mental issues and concentration problems
- mood changes
Effects Of Auto-brewery Syndrome To A Person
Just like any illness or health condition, auto-brewery syndrome can cause some symptoms that impact a person’s daily life. Truly, more severe cases of auto-brewery syndrome are likely to create and develop more serious symptoms and issues. While there are many potential signs and effects of the auto-brewery syndrome, most people who suffer from this syndrome often experience personal, social, and legal implications related to guts fermentation. Some of the effects of Auto-brewery syndrome on a person are ;
Personal challenges: Auto-brewery syndrome causes many symptoms that can cause discomfort and negatively impact daily life. If a person suffering from drunkenness disease regularly undergoes some signs of intoxication, they are likely to have trouble with day-to-day activities or tasks, such as going to work or driving. Additionally, many symptoms make a person feel Ill or sick, severely impacting their way of living and interaction.
Social implications: Apart from personal implications, the auto-brewery syndrome also causes many social issues. For example, some people may become esteemed or stigmatized or experience difficulties in various relationships if they often display gut fermentation syndrome symptoms. In addition, some people with auto-brewery syndrome may also feel unaware if they experience intoxication symptoms, especially if these symptoms happen in a public place.
Legal issues: Auto-brewery syndrome can also lead to numerous legal complications, especially if a person is not cognizant that they have the auto-brewery syndrome. If an individual operates heavy machinery or drives a car when their blood-alcohol level is higher than the legal limit, they can become a scapegoat for the law. In addition, if a person suffering from this syndrome has a blood alcohol level that is too high when working or caring for children, they may be at a higher risk of a hazard and accident, which can lead to legal problems. People with this syndrome have a high risk of getting into difficulty in nations where it is unknown because of their frequent intoxication, which can result in arrest, particularly when due inquiry is not made to determine the cause of such intoxication.
Treatment Of Auto-brewery Syndrome.
The first step to treating auto-brewery syndrome is to keep the patient at a moderate alcohol level and control and conserve alcohol levels within the gut’s microbiome. After receiving effective therapy, many people with this syndrome can reduce their risk of relapsing by staying away from highly processed, carb-rich meals. In most cases, a patient may need to consult with a nutritionist or dietician to know the specific foods that may need to be removed from the diet.
In some cases, a probiotic can be an efficient supplement that can help moderate bacteria levels in the gastrointestinal tract and manage symptoms. Drug therapy and a prescription based on the patient’s signs are also efficient for auto-brewery syndrome treatments.
One of the most essential precautions for managing auto-brewery syndrome is diet changing and reducing foods that may trigger drunkenness disease. While an ideal diet may change from person to person, most individuals with auto-brewery syndrome benefit from a diet low in carbohydrates and high in proteins. Reducing simple and complex sugars can decrease the total amount of alcohol fermented in the gastrointestinal tract.
Conclusion
Fighting auto-immune diseases can be a very big challenge for individuals, especially those who suffer from the auto-brewery syndrome. This can be challenging especially in the aspect of diet modification, you need to take not note of the necessary steps towards treating this illness and precautions to take towards maintaining good health. Despite all that has been explained in this article, it’s practically essential to always visit your medical practitioner for further guidance for a better living. Remember that your health is your wealth!!!.
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