This is a medical emergency that presents as sudden mental confusion, difficulty with muscle coordination, and problems with what is mush brain eye movement. Early detection is crucial to prevent progression to the second stage. Alcohol-related dementia is diagnosed when alcohol abuse is most likely to be the cause of the symptoms of dementia a person is experiencing. Alcohol withdrawal occurs when a person who has been drinking an excessive amount of alcohol regularly suddenly stops drinking. Some memory rehabilitation therapies, like ones used for other forms of dementia, can help a person manage their symptoms.
Wernicke Encephalopathy (Early Stage)
Thiamine is essential for converting sugar to energy in our bodies and creating chemical messengers in our brains. 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. Wet brain causes varying symptoms depending on the stage of your condition. A persistent sign is confusion, which often makes it difficult for people with the disorder to realize that something is wrong with them. Wet brain is a disorder of the brain caused by a chronic thiamine (vitamin B1) deficiency. It’s also known as Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome (WKS), named after German neurologist Carl Wernicke and neuropsychiatrist Sergei Korsakoff.
How Long Does It Take To Develop Wet Brain?
- “It basically goes to every organ in your body. It goes to your heart, your kidneys, your liver, of course, your brain, it’s going to your bones.”
- People who smoke are able to absorb more carcinogenic chemicals in tobacco if they are drinking at the same time, as tissues become more permeable.
- These little guys are responsible for everything from our mood to our sleep.
- It’s also a cofactor for the production of key enzymes that enable our brain to function properly.
- Alcohol-related thiamine deficit commonly results in cognitive impairments like memory loss, attention issues, and reduced problem-solving abilities, further highlighting its detrimental impact.
- Unfortunately, Wernicke’s Encephalopathy is difficult to diagnose, which makes catching it in time to treat it challenging.
Wet brain can progress and become a serious and in some cases, life-threatening disorder. The early stage of Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome is Wernicke’s encephalopathy. In Korsakoff’s syndrome, a person may have memories or recall experiences that never actually happened, however, they do not produce these false memories intentionally.
Wet Brain Stage 2: Korsakoff Psychosis
Follow your healthcare provider’s recommendations to manage complications and treat symptoms. They can work with you to develop a personalized care plan to help restore your health. If you or a loved one has Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome, the outlook depends on the severity of symptoms and a timely diagnosis.
What Are the Early Signs of Alcohol Dementia?
With improvement, successful treatment can also confirm the diagnosis. Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome is considered a clinical diagnosis, meaning that a doctor can diagnose it based on an accurate patient history and observation of symptoms present. In some cases, the diagnosis can be confirmed with MRI imaging of the brain, but in most cases, it is not needed. Wernicke encephalopathy is a dangerous condition that can be avoided with proper treatment. Chronic alcohol users often have inflamed digestive tracts, making it difficult for the body to absorb the thiamine it needs from the foods they consume. People with Korsakoff’s psychosis have increased difficulty with coordination and movement.
However, for those with more severe cases, residential care is often needed. Wet brain deaths often result from Wernicke’s encephalopathy progressing and being left untreated. This is one reason why it is important to catch the signs and symptoms of Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome early to help keep some symptoms from worsening or developing over time and becoming more serious. The symptoms of wet brain can come on suddenly, taking a few days to develop. While in others, it may take weeks and take longer to develop over time. However, the only way to fully avoid wet brain and alcoholic dementia is to lower the substance abuse itself.
Alcohol triggers a surge of dopamine, making us feel happy and rewarded. But over time, our brains get used to this extra dopamine, and we need more and more alcohol to get the same effect. Most of us learn that once we’ve desensitized ourselves to the rush of dopamine, we can never feel as good no matter how much we drink.
Wernicke encephalopathy is the early stage of Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome. This stage is caused by inflammation that occurs in the brain and is a temporary condition. Either Wernicke encephalopathy will transition into the second stage of wet brain and cause permanent brain damage, or it will be treated and resolved without causing damage.
The truth is two people can have similar drinking alcoholism 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.” Over time, Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome worsens and can be life-threatening. It may relieve symptoms and prevent permanent damage to memory and other brain functions.
- Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome affects more men than women, usually between ages 30 and 70 years.
- Sandstone Care supports teens and young adults with mental health and substance use disorders.
- This complex interaction highlights the dangers of long-term alcohol abuse as well as the vital importance of a balanced diet.
- Finally, alcohol affects serotonin levels, which help regulate our mood and sleep.
- Lesions form on the brain that causes a variety of difficult symptoms.
- Because the brain is severely deficient in this vitamin, it is essential to begin restoring thiamine levels.
Sobriety isn’t just about avoiding alcohol—it’s about rediscovering what your brain can do when it’s at its healthiest. Alcohol actually blocks glutamate, which can lead to problems with learning and memory. Think of glutamate as the brain’s “on” switch, and alcohol is like dimming the lights.