Constant smell of alcohol, constantly drunk: That was reality for a teacher from Florida. But not because of high alcohol consumption, but because of a rare disease.
TALLAHASSEE — The smell of alcohol is unpleasant to most people. But for teacher Mark Mongirado from Florida State, the smell was a constant companion. Even if he hadn't drunk any alcohol. For years he couldn't explain the reason for this until he finally received the diagnosis of a rare disease: he suffered from the so-called auto-brewery syndrome.
Man suffers from rare home brewer's syndrome: his body brews beer
It is a rare disease in which sugar is converted into alcohol in the intestines. So the body is basically brewing beer. This is due to a disturbed composition of the microbiome, according to the American Health Organization National Institutes of Health informed. Affected patients have positive blood alcohol and breath alcohol concentrations, even though it is proven that they have not drunk alcohol. You smell of alcohol and appear drunk. The condition is worsened by consuming sugary foods and drinks. During tests, Mongirado's blood measured 0.14 units of alcohol per 100 ml of blood, i.e. 1.4 per mille, as the English newspaper DailyMail reported.
Facts about home brewer syndrome
- Home brewer's syndrome was first discovered in 1950.
- The disease is caused by a disruption of the microbiome in the gut.
- It is a very rare syndrome that can occur in adults and children.
- The disease remains underdiagnosed.
Source: National Institutes of Health
“I had symptoms of alcohol intoxication, from slurred speech to loss of balance. And even at social events where I didn’t drink,” Mongirado said in an interview with the DailyMail. This always leads to problems in his everyday life. He was stopped by the police several times for drunk driving. Colleagues and parents of students even accused the teacher of drinking while working.
Because of rare syndrome: man loses career and house
After years of uncertainty, Mongirado finally received the diagnosis. Unfortunately, this came too late: by then he had already lost his career as a teacher and his house because of the illness. His wife also doubted him: “For years my wife thought I was hiding my drinking. I came home every day and was basically drunk,” Mongirado explained in the interview. Mongirado now knows how to deal with the illness: According to his own statement, he takes tablets and follows a low-carbohydrate diet.
First, an ex-Bachelorette made her son's diagnosis public. He suffers from a rare disease. A young girl from Bavaria is also currently suffering from a rare disease. Her parents rely on donations to help their child. (jus)
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