They will also exhibit symptoms of retrograde amnesia and find it challenging to learn and process new information. By Esther Heerema, MSW
Esther Heerema, MSW, shares practical tips gained from working with hundreds of people whose lives are touched by Alzheimer’s disease and other kinds of dementia. According to a study https://ecosoberhouse.com/ in the Alcohol and Alcoholism journal, 50% of patients would be expected to die within 8 years of Wernicke-Korsakoff Syndrome episode. Numerous enzymes in the brain need thiamine to perform, including many vital neurotransmitters. Changes in the brain’s physiology have effects on other parts of the body as well.
It’s an essential factor in building enzymes responsible for processing and converting sugar to energy. These stages are Wernicke-Korsakoff encephalopathy and Wernicke-Korsakoff Psychosis. The condition begins with Wernicke-Korsakoff encephalopathy and progresses to Wernicke-Korsakoff psychosis. Wet brain is a severe disorder that needs early diagnosis and adequate treatment.
The Symptoms of Wet Brain – What Are They?
This is especially true if the person is addicted to alcohol or physically dependent on it, which can be difficult for friends and family members to accept. It’s important to remember, however, that alcohol addiction wet brain is a chronic and powerful disease and the way an alcoholic behaves won’t always make sense to loved ones. This can occur due to Wernicke encephalopathy, eating disorders, malnutrition, and alcohol abuse.
- Healthcare providers diagnose Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome using a physical exam.
- Not everyone with Wernicke’s encephalopathy will also develop Korsakoff’s psychosis; it typically develops due to misdiagnosis and inadequate treatment of the former condition.
- Some people experience only a few, while others develop many of the symptoms.
- It’s also known as Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome (WKS), named after German neurologist Carl Wernicke and neuropsychiatrist Sergei Korsakoff.
- If you or a loved one is struggling with alcoholism, we recommend finding treatment as soon as possible.
It’s important to note that thiamine will not improve intellect or memory in wet brain patients. Brain damage cannot be reversed — only minimized in the future. As we mentioned, 80-90% of patients who do not seek treatment for these symptoms end up developing Karsakoff’s psychosis. For example, a person in the Korsakoff’s psychosis stage of wet brain may begin to notice tachycardia or a more rapid heartbeat. They may also notice problems in their central nervous system and extremities, like hands and feet.
Who Is Most at Risk of Developing Wet Brain?
Due to the rapid pace of deterioration in WKS patients, time is critically important. Korsakoff Psychosis happens after a person has been through Wernicke’s Encephalopathy. In addition to clinical observations, doctors will run lab tests for thiamine deficiency and may order an MRI to look for noticeable changes in the brain. However, MRI tests have a low sensitivity rate of 53%, making them an imperfect diagnostic tool.
It also interferes with your body’s ability to absorb vitamins (malabsorption). An estimated 80% of people with alcohol addiction don’t absorb or retain enough thiamine. Stopping alcohol use can be difficult, but it is essential if you are at risk of developing wet brain or have experienced it before. At The Recovery Village at Palmer Lake, we understand how stressful overcoming an alcohol addiction can be. When someone is deficient in thiamine, the brain is less able to process sugar into energy that it can use to function.