Yesterday, the Onlymyhealth team did a story explaining Auto-Brewery Syndrome, a condition in which the body starts breaking down dietary sugar and carbohydrates into alcohol. As a result, the person suffering from this illness stays intoxicated all the time. The story followed a recent piece of news in which a Belgian man, charged with drunk driving, was acquitted by the court after it was revealed that he suffers from Auto-Brewery Syndrome.
While we have covered what happens in this disease and what are its symptoms, another curious aspect is how this Auto-Brewery Syndrome is diagnosed and treated. Talking to the Onlymyhealth team, Dr Uday Sanglodkar, Senior Consultant, Hepatologist and Clinical Lead Liver and Transplant ICU, Gleneagles Hospitals, Parel said, "Auto brewery syndrome mostly remain undiagnosed because patients are not able to give clear history. Moreover, doctors don't suspect it as often because you need a high index of suspicion but with this disease, the symptoms mimic being drunk."
Diagnosing Auto Brewery Syndrome
Diagnosing ABS can be challenging due to its rarity and similarity to other conditions. As per a Pakistani study, medical professionals may use a combination of tests, including:
- Blood Alcohol Levels: Monitoring blood alcohol levels over time can reveal patterns inconsistent with alcohol consumption.
- Breathalyser Tests: Breath tests can detect alcohol on the breath even when no alcohol has been consumed.
- Fecal Microbiota Analysis: Analysing stool samples can identify yeast overgrowth in the gut.
- Glucose Tolerance Test: This test can help assess how the body processes carbohydrates and identify potential triggers for ABS.
Auto-Brewery Syndrome Management and Treatment
Dr Uday listed a few ways to manage and treat Auto Brewery Syndrome:
- Dietary Changes: Adopting a low-carbohydrate and a low-sugar diet can reduce the fermentation of sugars into alcohol. Simply put, the more carbohydrates or sugar you consume, the more your body will produce alcohol in the case of Auto Brewery Syndrome.
- Avoid Alcohol: The patient already has alcohol in their system. Even if they consume less alcohol, they are bound to get extra drunk. For a normal person, 5-10 years of daily alcohol consumption can develop liver disease, but for these patients, the years are much less.
- Probiotics and Antifungals: Supplements or medications may be prescribed to rebalance gut flora and control yeast overgrowth.
- Medical Monitoring: Regular monitoring of blood alcohol levels and symptoms can guide treatment adjustments.
- Psychological Support: Coping with the emotional and social challenges of ABS may require counselling or support groups.
Auto Brewery Syndrome is a complex and often misunderstood condition that requires careful diagnosis and management. By understanding its causes, symptoms, and treatment options, individuals with ABS can work towards improving their quality of life and overall well-being.