Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome is a brain disease causing memory problems, confusion, and muscle weakness. It has two stages, Wernicke’s encephalopathy and Korsakoff’s psychosis, and is usually linked to a deficiency of thiamine due to alcoholism. The disorder affects people over 40 and has little chance of full recovery. Treatment includes stopping alcohol consumption, thiamine supplementation, and Alzheimer’s disease medication.
Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome is a relatively rare disease that affects the brain, causing memory problems, confusion, and muscle weakness. It can be divided into two stages: Wernicke’s encephalopathy and Korsakoff’s psychosis. While the disorder as a whole is usually linked to a deficiency of thiamine, or B1, due to alcoholism, it can also be related to other medical conditions, such as cancer, AIDS, and high thyroid levels. It is also known by the medical community as cerebral beriberi or alcoholic encephalopathy and by the non-medical community as wet brain. This disorder typically affects people over the age of 40, and people with Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome have little chance of a full recovery, even after undergoing treatment.
Usually, people with Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome don’t experience both stages of the condition at the same time. In most cases, a person first develops Wernicke’s encephalopathy. Researchers have determined that during this stage of the condition, the hypothalamus and thalamus of the brain are damaged. As a result, the person may show signs of memory problems or confusion. Also, the person may have difficulty looking in a certain direction because the eye muscles that direct these movements may be paralysed.
The second stage of Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome, Korsakoff psychosis, has a completely different set of symptoms from the first stage. For example, an affected individual may be unable to form new memories, although memories prior to the onset of the disease may be clear enough. Furthermore, the data subject may use repetitive statements. He may also inadvertently try to create stories to fill in the parts of his memory that he has lost.
While each stage of Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome can be considered a separate disease, they are usually grouped together. Consequently, there are some general symptoms that may apply to Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome as a whole. For example, many people are apathetic or indifferent to the people and events around them and rarely express their emotions. Furthermore, most of those affected lose the ability for spontaneity.
Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome can be partially reversed if caught early. To begin with, if the person is an alcoholic, he must stop drinking. Then, the affected individual can be supplemented with thiamine, either through an injection or via a pill. The person may also be advised to eat foods rich in thiamine, such as peas, fortified cereals, and pork. Additionally, some Alzheimer’s disease medications may be recommended to help restore some of the memory loss.
Protect your devices with Threat Protection by NordVPN
