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That is because the signs and symptoms of acute alcohol intoxication and withdrawal can overlap with the signs and symptoms of wet brain. It can be critical to use all of these tools in a detailed evaluation because signs and symptoms of wet brain can also get caused by other serious medical conditions such as brain tumors or brain bleeds. Early treatment in this stage, typically with thiamine supplements, can alleviate symptoms and prevent the condition from degenerating into Korsakoff’s psychosis. Although Wernicke’s encephalopathy is generally caused by alcoholism, other potential causes include severe malnutrition, liver disease, hyperthyroidism, and severe anorexia. Many people understand that misusing alcohol can seriously affect your physical and mental health and your relationships with others.
Symptoms include confusion, loss of muscle coordination, and trouble with your vision. It’s a long-term, ongoing problem that damages the part of your brain that handles memory. It is possible to reverse Wernicke syndrome, the first stage of wet brain.
Who is at Risk for Developing Wernicke-Korsakoff Syndrome?
Over time as your thiamine levels increase and stabilize, you may notice an improvement in your symptoms. Wet brain is a serious brain disorder caused by excessive alcohol consumption. Immediate mush brain medical treatment is needed to avoid experiencing severe, life-altering problems from wet brain. If Wet Brain is left untreated, the alcohol will continue to damage the brain.
Alcohol addiction, even if it has not progressed to the point of Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome, can considerably decrease life expectancy. Research has shown that people who are hospitalized for alcohol misuse die 24 to 28 years sooner compared to people in the general population. Contact Nova Recovery Center today for more information on our individualized drug and alcohol addiction recovery program. Some alcohol rehab programs include cognitive behavioral therapy.
What is the Official Medical Term for Wet Brain?
Those who are undergoing wet brain treatment should remain abstinent from alcohol to ensure that the symptoms of the disorder will not get worse. Contact us today to learn more about treatment for alcohol addiction, and how we can help you to regain your health and take back control over your life. Thiamine, or vitamin B1, is a water-soluble vitamin that is vital to helping to covert glucose into energy.
Does wet brain show up on MRI?
It's often underdiagnosed, even among chronic alcoholics. This is because the wet brain symptoms of this part of the condition may not necessarily be obvious. Doctors use MRIs to detect this part of the condition.
It triggers damage in your brain’s main nerve cells, called neurons. It also damages essential supporting cells and interferes with your normal memory function. In the early stages, those who suffer may appear confused or have trouble concentrating. You might also notice personality changes, short-term memory https://ecosoberhouse.com/ issues, talkativeness or a propensity to tell fantastical stories — the result of the brain “filling in the gaps” of memory loss. Most people know that drinking can temporarily affect your brain. But if you abuse alcohol for a long period of time, the risk of long-term damage rises significantly.
Wernicke’s encephalopathy
About 80% of people with alcohol use disorder have a thiamine deficiency, and up to 2% of the total U.S. adult population has Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome. However, it is not well understood who has wet brain because of alcohol abuse or from poor nutrition. It is also not possible to accurately estimate who all has wet brain because many people with severe alcoholism do not seek treatment or are homeless and are not evaluated for the condition. However, current statistics show that more men than women have wet brain, and the age groups most affected by the disorder are between the ages of 30 and 70. Fortunately, for people with alcohol use disorder, wet brain is highly preventable.
