Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome affects more men than women, usually between ages 30 and 70 years. Most alcohol-related cases of WKS involve men and those over age 40. Women and people who are younger are more likely to develop the syndrome due to other causes (aside from alcohol).
How to Prevent Wet Brain
Many people, healthcare providers included, dismiss early signs of wet brain syndrome. Left untreated, long-term effects like muscle coordination, confusion, and hallucinations can develop. People who regularly abuse alcohol for long periods of time are more likely than others to get wet brain, although it can also be caused by intense periods of vomiting or poor nutrition. Alcohol interferes with the body’s ability to absorb Vitamin B1, so people who binge drink on a regular basis or who consume large amounts of alcohol frequently may develop wet brain. When Wernicke’s encephalopathy and Korsakoff’s psychosis combine to form “wet brain,” this can produce severe and potentially life-threatening symptoms.
More on Brain & Nervous System Disorders
However, ceasing alcohol consumption opens up potential recovery pathways. When individuals with Wet Brains discontinue alcohol use, they significantly reduce further damage to the brain and body, which allows for some degree of recovery. Stopping alcohol consumption is crucial for effective treatment and management of the syndrome, as continued drinking exacerbates thiamine deficiency and impairs neurological recovery. Your healthcare provider may recommend blood tests to check blood sugar and thiamine levels. Healthcare providers often check for signs of alcohol use disorder with a blood alcohol test and liver function test.
What are the symptoms of WKS?
- It is typical for patients to experience a combination of these symptoms even if they do not experience all of them.
- In addition to your treatment plan, the following management techniques can help you make a full recovery.
- Your doctor may also use a neuropsychological test to determine the severity of any mental deficiencies.
- As such, we recommend that the term “wet brain” be avoided in favor of the more accurate “Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome.”
- ” Early detection and treatment are crucial to prevent permanent damage.
- Your healthcare provider may recommend blood tests to check blood sugar and thiamine levels.
These include dietary deficiencies, eating disorders, and chemotherapy 2. So, what—exactly—is a “wet brain?” According to the National Organization for Rare Disorders, Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome is really two different disorders. Your body can’t produce thiamine on its own—it has to be ingested through your diet. This is typically a non-issue for most healthy adults (think whole grains, asparagus, kale, pork, beef, chicken, eggs and mush brain potatoes).
This article discusses the signs of Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome, its prevalence, and risk factors. It also covers what diagnostic tests are used, how it’s managed, and what the life expectancy is. The second stage of wet brain develops when the first stage goes untreated. It is not reversible and affects the part of the brain that processes and stores memories. If this lack of good nutrition continues for too long, serious health problems like wet brain syndrome become a risk.
- Wernicke’s encephalopathy devolves into Korsakoff’s psychosis when wet brain goes undiagnosed and untreated.
- Heavy alcohol use interferes with your body’s ability to absorb nutrients.
- Once a person has been diagnosed with end stage alcoholism, life expectancy can be as limited as six months.
- Moreover, individuals with WKS experience other factors that contribute to seizure activity, such as electrolyte imbalances, alcohol withdrawal, and coexisting conditions like liver disease.
- Prompt treatment with thiamine supplementation improves these symptoms; however, without treatment, the condition progresses to the second stage or even results in death.
Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome, also known as wet brain syndrome, is a form of dementia that is primarily caused by a deficiency of vitamin B1 or thiamine. It most commonly affects heavy drinkers and individuals who are malnourished. Let’s delve into the overview of Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome and explore its causes. In many ways, a person struggling with alcohol addiction and showing symptoms of second-phase wet brain acts much like someone with Alzheimer’s disease. Based on statistics from the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, 90 percent of alcoholics suffering from stage 1 symptoms go on to develop stage 2, with some overlap between the stages and symptoms. Without thiamine, the brain can’t process glucose, robbing the brain of energy (and functioning).
Wet Brain: Essential Guide to Wernicke-Korsakoff Syndrome
Find a brighter tomorrow by starting with our compassionate team of medical professionals and recovery specialists today. By Toketemu OhwovorioleToketemu has been multimedia storyteller for the last four years. Her expertise focuses primarily on mental wellness and women’s health topics. It’s essential to continue eating foods that are rich in thiamine even after you discontinue thiamine supplements. Foods like oranges, milk, spinach, pork, and soybeans are all rich in thiamine. Toketemu has been multimedia storyteller for the last four years.