Without thiamine, the brain can’t process glucose, robbing the brain of energy (and functioning). This can lead to a serious neurological disorder known as “wet brain syndrome”—better known in the medical community as Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome. Replacing thiamine will stop the progression of wet brain and reverse symptoms caused by its early stage. Stopping alcohol use will prevent wet brain from developing again or progressing further if it is already permanent. Permanent brain damage and other long-lasting neurological symptoms are consistently found in people with wet brain syndrome. Besides, the onset of Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome and symptom severity is not considered to be a direct relation to how much or what kind of alcohol a person drinks over their lifetime.
Is Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome the same as Wet Brain?
This website utilizes various technologies that are meant to make it as accessible as possible at all times. We utilize an accessibility interface that mush brain meaning allows persons with specific disabilities to adjust the website’s UI (user interface) and design it to their personal needs. If the doctor is unaware of an existing alcohol problem, testing of the liver enzymes could help eliminate other possible causes of these symptoms. As soon as you recognize symptoms, you need to get medical attention right away. Early detection and proper diagnosis of Wernicke’s encephalopathy can allow for reversing some of the symptoms, which is why it is so important to reach out for help as soon as possible. WK syndrome is diagnosed by looking at the individual’s history as well as the symptoms present.
Wernicke’s Encephalopathy
Receiving treatment early before permanent damage occurs will greatly raise your chances. The majority of deaths are caused by infections to the lungs, high blood toxicity, or permanent brain damage. You might hear the dated term “wet brain” used in reference to Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome. However, the term “wet brain” carries and perpetuates stigma by inaccurately conveying that people willfully contract it.
What You Should Know About Wernicke-Korsakoff Syndrome
This stage is characterized by severe and permanent memory problems, including the inability to form new memories and significant gaps in long-term memory. People with Korsakoff psychosis might also experience confabulation, where they unconsciously fabricate stories to fill in memory gaps. This condition is considered permanent, and while some symptoms can be managed with treatment, full recovery is rare.
How Serious Is Wet Brain?
- Doctors often struggle to diagnose wet brain as well since symptoms can resemble other conditions.
- Other studies discovered that between 22 percent and 29 percent of people diagnosed with general dementia were alcoholics.
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- Treatment of Wernicke’s encephalopathy begins with increased intake of thiamine.
The truth is two people can have similar drinking patterns and one will develop Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome and the other won’t. It’s a complex condition with many factors and, like alcohol use disorder, no one chooses it. As such, we recommend that the term “wet brain” be avoided in favor of the more accurate “Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome.”
Korsakoff Psychosis
It’s important to remember, however, that alcohol addiction is a chronic and powerful disease and the way an alcoholic behaves won’t always make sense to loved ones. When a person is in the final stages of a wet brain, they will need 24/7 nursing care. Alcohol is a neurotoxin that shrinks the brain (a phenomenon known as “cerebral atrophy”) and slowly destroys the frontal lobe, cerebellum and limbic system. In many ways, end-stage alcohol dementia resembles end-stage Alzheimer’s disease and requires the same level of intensive medical support. In most cases, symptoms of Korsakoff syndrome are preceded by symptoms of Wernicke encephalopathy.
- In more severe cases, a person may also experience severe confusion, hallucinations, or seizures.
- Patients who suffer from Korsakoff psychosis may be unable to care for themselves.
- Life expectancy for individuals living with wet brain can depend on a variety of different factors.
- Stopping alcohol use can be difficult, but it is essential if you are at risk of developing wet brain or have experienced it before.
People with a family history of alcohol use disorder may be at higher risk of wet brain, and people who were exposed to alcohol while in the womb are at higher risk as well. Someone’s overall health can also impact their chance of getting Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome. According to an article that appeared in the Swiss Medical Review, Wernicke encephalopathy (WEE) is characterized by mental confusion, abnormal eye movements, and ataxia. Still, only about 10 per cent of patients are afflicted with these symptoms, making the diagnosis extremely challenging.
What Are Alcohol Withdrawal Symptoms?
- From struggling to remember important details to making careless mistakes at work, the consequences of cognitive cloudiness can ripple through various aspects of our lives.
- Again, a wet brain occurs following a severe deficiency of vitamin B1 in your system.
- Replacing thiamine will stop the progression of wet brain and reverse symptoms caused by its early stage.
- A thiamine deficiency essentially robs the brain of energy, because without thiamine the brain cannot process glucose.
- We also offer medical detoxification for alcoholism, a critical component of treatment for alcoholism, as the withdrawal symptoms can be severe and potentially life-threatening.
- As we mentioned earlier, the symptoms of the final stages of wet brain are less likely to be treatable and can even be fatal.
A healthy diet that includes vitamin B1 will reduce your chances of the wet brain occurring again in Drug rehabilitation the future. Vitamin B1 supplements alone are not enough to ensure the treatment of the wet brain. You must seek out professional treatment to quit drinking, as stopping alcohol consumption suddenly can be dangerous. Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome can occur from reasons other than alcohol use; however, the term “wet brain” is used to refer only to Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome caused by alcohol use.