He was getting drunk without drinking, when he applied to the hospital, he was surprised when he learned about his illness. Verda Güniz Atış Azrak, 58, who learned that she had the disease known as ‘Auto-Brewery Syndrome’ in the world, was recorded as the first case in Turkey. Azrak, who walked around like a drunk after consuming carbohydrates and sugary foods, but was unaware of this, was living the phrase “to get drunk without drinking” in real life.
IT WAS THE FIRST CASE IN TURKEY
Giving information about ‘Auto-Brewery Syndrome’, which is seen for the first time in our country in the medical literature, Giresun University Medical Faculty Training and Research Hospital Medical Microbiology Specialist Assoc. Dr. Emel Uzunoğlu said that the disease can actually be seen everywhere, but the diagnosis cannot be made because the disease is not known.
“THE ALCOHOL LEVELS ARE HIGH EVEN IF THEY HAVE NEVER CONSUMED”
Expressing that the symptoms show themselves according to the level of alcohol output in the body after carbohydrate and sugary foods taken, Uzunoğlu said, “Auto-Brewery Syndrome, that is, the body’s self-production of alcohol. Although patients do not drink alcohol at all, blood alcohol levels rise to very high levels shortly after a meal. The reason for this is the microorganisms in their bodies. As it is not a well-known disease in the world, ours is the first case in our country. We think that because the disease is not known, it is talked about so little. However, if it was known, much more would be witnessed. It seems curable, at least we can control it. This disease can occur in diabetics, unconscious use of antibiotics, after previous bowel operations. It is a disease that occurs as a result of the balance problem in the intestine, that is, the balance of microorganisms in the intestine. When this balance in the intestine is ensured, the patient’s attacks can be prolonged and can be brought under control.
“OUR TREATMENT METHOD GIVEN RESULT”
Noting that the treatment methods for the patient, seen for the first time in our country, gave results, Assoc. Dr. Emel Uzunoğlu said, “We observed in our patient that he had symptoms after sugary foods. Microorganisms take sugar and turn it into yeast and alcohol. However, we have seen that spices sometimes trigger an attack. We have controlled the attacks with probiotics, nutrition, some auxiliary drugs, and some drugs that will remove alcohol or intermediate molecules from the environment without using antibiotics. Our patient is now returning home, but we will continue to follow up,” he said.
HE SAID “IT CAN BE SEEN ANYWHERE”, WARNED FOR SYMPTOMS
Giving information about the symptoms of the disease seen for the first time in our country, including European countries, Internal Diseases Dr. Instructor Member Kubilay İşsever said, “This is the first case in the country as far as the literature has told us. There are cases reported from the USA and Canada. There are no cases reported yet, even from European countries. In fact, we think that it can be seen everywhere, but because the disease is not recognized, it cannot be diagnosed. This disease needs to be determined so that we can diagnose and understand how often the disease is. In fact, although he does not drink alcohol, symptoms occur in alcohol poisoning, according to the level of alcohol in the body, as in alcohol coma. Although all the symptoms of alcohol poisoning such as nausea and vomiting are present, confusion, drowsiness, personality disorder, and character changes can be seen. Our patient had similar symptoms of varying severity to date. We got good results in about a month of treatment. If a person claims that he does not drink alcohol, but there are cases in which alcohol is detected in his blood or the smell of alcohol is smelled on his breath, these patients should be evaluated in terms of auto-brewery.
“THE PEOPLE AT YOUR SURROUNDING DEPEND ON THE CHANGE LIKE ALCOHOLIC PEOPLE”
Verda Güniz Atış Azrak (58), who stated that she feels better now by telling about her illness process, said, “His symptoms started about 3 years ago. It’s not something that happens all of a sudden. Especially not the person himself, but the people around you are aware of this situation. Sometimes there is loss of consciousness. If I have to express it from the examples I have lived, you think, you bump your face, your head is injured, even stitches are put in, but you don’t remember how it happened. This is a big increase after carbohydrate and sugary foods. Although I am not a person who normally consumes carbohydrates and sugary foods, you want to consume more of these foods when you have an attack. You are not aware of something, but the people around you do. After the treatment process, I am fine, without the slightest symptom or loss of consciousness. I feel pretty good,” he said.
“A NEW LIFE BEGINS FOR US”
Sami Azrak (60), who stated that a new life has begun for them after his wife’s health problems, said that they had been looking for a cure for a long time, but they found the treatment in Giresun. Sami Azrak said, “We have been suffering from this ailment of my wife for about 3 years. We visited many hospitals and doctors for treatment. They all took care of it, but Giresun was fortunate enough to be treated. During these attacks, at first, her gaze changes. She does not look clearly, she looks with hazy eyes, absent-minded. He is medically alcoholic, but he looks very different. Let’s not think about how a drunk person reacts, they are very different. He can be obsessive, angry, stubborn, that is, he can give very different reactions. It may not be logical, there is a very difficult character change. It is quite troublesome processes. “Thank God, we solved it thanks to our doctors. From now on, we will follow our diet and follow their advice. I think a new life awaits us now,” he said.
(UAV)