Treatments for Alcoholic Pellagra

Alcoholic pellagra is a condition that is seen in chronic alcoholics over a period of time. Pellagra is caused by a lack of niacin in the diet, or, in the case of chronic alcoholics, it is caused by the malabsorption of vitamins and minerals. The three indicators of pellagra are dermatitis, diarrhea and dementia. Without proper treatment for alcoholic pellagra, the result can be death.

Medications

• Oral niacin or nicotinamide is given to patients who are exhibiting the symptoms of pellagra. The condition is often only one of the consequences of malnutrition, and there are often other vitamin deficiencies as well. Changing the diet is often not enough to reverse the symptoms of pellagra. Treatment with nicotinamide is currently the only medication given for alcoholic pellagra.

Diet

• Dietary changes are suggested in conjunction with pellagra medication to effectively restore the body back to a healthy state. Malnutrition is common in alcoholic patients for many reasons. Alcoholics report a loss of appetite during advanced stages of drinking, and this is often the reason for malnutrition. It is important that a diet for pellagra include protein and a sufficient amount of calories. Meat, nuts, milk, and leafy green vegetables are included in the alcoholic pellagra diet. Proteins are essential for recovery from pellagra. Brewer's dry yeast can increase the amount of niacin in the diet, along with whole grains.

Alcohol Addiction Treatment

• While diet and medication is an important part of the treatment for alcoholic pellagra, eliminating alcohol and treatment for alcoholism is vital for recovery. Malnutrition is common in alcoholics largely because nutrition and diet become less important than alcohol consumption for most heavy drinkers.
  A treatment program and detoxification may be necessary for some alcoholic patients. Pellagra is a nutritional condition that is exacerbated by alcohol consumption. An effective treatment for pellagra must include an alcohol recovery program.
  Alcohol consumption impairs the absorption of nutrients even when a healthy diet is followed. Alcohol effects nutrition in a few important ways. Alcohol can impair the body's ability to regulate blood glucose levels. Low blood glucose levels or hypoglycemia can result in brain tissue becoming deprived of the energy that it needs to function properly.
  Alcohol can also impair the way that the body processes food by damaging cell structure. When this occurs, the body is no longer able to metabolize, absorb or use the vitamins and minerals that are ingested. When the body is unable to process the foods that provide niacin, a deficiency can occur. For chronic alcoholics, eliminating alcohol is an important part of increasing niacin in the body.
  The treatments for pellagra should be used together to effectively restore niacin to the body and reverse the symptoms of the condition. Including foods that contain niacin and supplementing the body with medication to restore niacin is effective, but only if alcohol consumption is eliminated and the body is allowed to absorb the nutrients that are provided.