As such, alcoholics receiving treatment for wet brain disease usually receive co-occurring treatment for alcohol withdrawal. The symptoms of the disease are similar to many other cognitive diseases, including varying forms of alcohol memory loss syndrome. Additionally, the patient may struggle to communicate their symptoms due to the confusion and memory loss caused by the disease. The good news—if caught early enough—is that wet brain syndrome is a preventable, treatable disease if you stop drinking and seek help. Intense thiamine replacement therapy and abstinence from alcohol can result in a noticeable improvement in both mental and physical functioning within weeks. So, what—exactly—is a “wet brain?” According to the National Organization for Rare Disorders, Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome is really two different disorders.
Causes of Wet Brain Syndrome
- Left untreated, long-term effects like muscle coordination, confusion, and hallucinations can develop.
- Stopping or limiting alcohol use (follow the advice of your healthcare provider) and having proper nutrition can support your recovery.
- Symptoms include confusion, loss of muscle coordination, and trouble with your vision.
- Research shows that wet brain is more likely to develop in men than women.
As a result, the alcoholic wet brain receives less thiamine to start with, which is only made worse by the brain’s reduced ability to absorb the vitamin. In many ways, a person struggling with alcohol addiction and showing symptoms of second-phase wet what is mush brain brain acts much like someone with Alzheimer’s disease. For heavy drinkers, these seemingly innocent memory lapses can evolve to slurred speech, an unsteady walk, violent muscle twitches or hallucinations, signaling alcohol-induced brain damage.
- From there, it’s important to stay away from alcohol and eat a balanced diet.
- Take our short alcohol quiz to learn where you fall on the drinking spectrum and if you might benefit from quitting or cutting back on alcohol.
- 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.
- This can occur due to Wernicke encephalopathy, eating disorders, malnutrition, and alcohol abuse.
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How common is Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome?
These include dietary deficiencies, eating disorders, and chemotherapy [2]. Treating alcohol misuse and addiction is one of the best ways to avoid developing wet brain syndrome and other health issues related to heavy alcohol use. What can treatment for alcohol abuse and addiction do to stave off Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome?
Recognizing Signs of Wernicke-Korsakoff Syndrome
- A devastating disease, it is vital that people understand what is the wet brain.
- Some researchers believe that Wernicke encephalopathy and Korsakoff syndrome are two separate disorders that share the same cause and are simply related to one another.
- Your doctor can provide an accurate diagnosis and help you find treatment for alcohol addiction once your physical health has recovered.
- As such, we recommend that the term “wet brain” be avoided in favor of the more accurate “Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome.”
- Human body can use only 5 percent of the thiamine taken orally, whereas IV thiamine has 100 percent bioavailability.
If you or a loved one has Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome, the outlook depends on the severity of symptoms and a timely diagnosis. Immediate treatment can help reverse symptoms and avoid long-term https://ecosoberhouse.com/ complications. Left untreated, Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome may lead to disability and even death. About 50% of those who develop Wernicke encephalopathy eventually develop Korsakoff syndrome.
Your body breaks alcohol down into a chemical called acetaldehyde, which damages your DNA. Damaged DNA can cause a cell to grow out of control, which results in cancerous tumors. Having a glass of wine with dinner or a beer at a party here and there isn’t going to destroy your gut. But even low amounts of daily drinking and prolonged and heavy use of alcohol can lead to significant problems for your digestive system. In reality, there’s no evidence that drinking beer (or your alcoholic beverages of choice) actually contributes to belly fat. Once stage 2 fully sets in, the amount of brain bleeding that has taken place can often be fatal.
Symptoms of Wet Brain
The symptoms of WKS may include confusion, changes to the eyes and vision, or exaggerated storytelling. Typically, it’s based on a physical exam, your health history, and some tests. Your doctor will also want to rule out other problems that could cause your symptoms. If you aren’t treated for Wernicke encephalopathy quickly, it can lead to Korsakoff syndrome.
What is Wet Brain? Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment
The morning after a night of over-imbibing can cause some temporary effects on your brain. Things like trouble concentration, slow reflexes and sensitivity to bright lights and loud sounds are standard signs of a hangover, and evidence of alcohol’s effects on your brain. If you drink every day, or almost every day, you might notice that you catch colds, flu or other illnesses more frequently than people who don’t drink. That’s because alcohol can weaken your immune system, slow healing and make your body more susceptible to infection.
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