Doctors often struggle to diagnose wet brain as well since symptoms can resemble other conditions. Additionally, people suffering from alcoholism are less likely to consume well-rounded, healthy diets, which is how you get enough vitamin B1 into your system. It is an essential vitamin that is not produced naturally by your body, so it must be consumed from outside sources. Recent studies have indicated that the acute mortality rate for patients with Wernicke encephalopathy (WE) ranges from 5.3% to 10%. Thiamine is vital for the metabolism of glucose, the brain’s primary energy source.
Signs and symptoms
It may relieve symptoms and prevent permanent damage to memory and other brain functions. Wernicke-Korsakoff Syndrome (also referred to as wet brain) is a serious brain condition caused by poor nutrition and a thiamine (vitamin B1) deficiency. With ongoing deficiency, permanent brain changes can occur and become life-threatening. According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, 80% of people with alcohol use disorder have a thiamine deficiency.
Is Wernicke-Korsakoff Syndrome Reversible?
They can happen if you don’t get enough vitamin B1, also called thiamine. When your brain and nervous system don’t get the amount they need, they don’t work as well. Follow your healthcare provider’s recommendations to manage complications and treat symptoms.
- In a small number of cases, treatment of vitamin B-1 deficiency produces a negative reaction.
- If you’re concerned about vitamin B1 depletion or know someone experiencing co-occurring wet brain symptoms as a result of drinking alcohol, it’s essential that you get professional help.
- When you have too little thiamine, your brain doesn’t have enough energy to work properly.
- It is important to note that thiamine supplementation should continue until the patient is no longer at risk, such as as long as they are consuming alcohol.
- At Principles Recovery, we understand the complicated nature of recovering from not just alcohol addiction but all the ways it can affect a person’s well-being.
- Someone struggling with a wet brain may not be able to recognize their symptoms clearly or seek medical advice when they should.
Diagnostic Tests for Wernicke-Korsakoff Syndrome
Early diagnosis and treatment are key factors in maximizing the chances of recovery from this serious neurological condition. One symptom in people with severe disease is confabulation, where mush brain they invent information to cover memory loss. Over time, Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome worsens and can be life-threatening.
Is Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome the same as Wet Brain?
It may develop after weight loss (bariatric) surgery or as a side effect of chemotherapy. At Principles Recovery, we understand the complicated nature of recovering from not just alcohol addiction but all the ways it can affect a person’s well-being. We offer programs to help you every step of the way, from detox to treatment to even relapse prevention programs. We have treatment programs specifically designed for adolescents and teens, to better speak to their needs.
- Wernicke encephalopathy and Korsakoff syndrome are two separate conditions though they commonly occur together because they are both caused by a thiamine deficiency.
- We have treatment programs specifically designed for adolescents and teens, to better speak to their needs.
- It’s caused by a deficiency in thiamine, which can lead to symptoms of dementia.
- Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome is a form of dementia that results from a deficiency in vitamin B1, primarily affecting heavy drinkers and malnourished individuals 1.
- Please call to speak to an admissions navigator about your rehab options and easily verify your insurance.
- While some patients experience improvement in symptoms and quality of life with appropriate treatment, others face persistent cognitive impairments and physical health complications.
- If you or a loved one has symptoms of WKS, call your healthcare provider or 911 immediately.
If a person develops wet brain, they may experience problems with memory, coordination, and heart rate, among others. If you are struggling with a drinking problem, talk to your doctor about treatment options that can help you achieve sobriety. Korsakoff’s syndrome dementia affects not just the brain, but also the cardiovascular and central nervous system. Once a person has been diagnosed with end stage alcoholism, life expectancy can be as limited as six months.
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