These signs — coupled with a doctor’s awareness of the patient’s alcohol addiction —could lead to further neurological testing. Heart rate, eye movements, body temperature, and even a person’s walk could all signal a doctor to a possible thiamine deficiency. “Encephalopathy” refers to any disease that affects the structure or function of the brain. In Wernicke’s encephalopathy, this commonly refers to bleeding of the brain. And the true number of people who suffer from this disorder may be even higher, as some never seek treatment for it.

• Unfortunately, encephalopathy cannot be cured—however, the progression of the condition can be halted if the victim stops drinking and seeks treatment immediately.
• Around 80 to 90% of people with alcohol use disorder who have Wernicke’s encephalopathy develop Korsakoff’s psychosis.
• Heavy drinking can lead to a decrease in the size of the hippocampus, which is the part of the brain responsible for memory.
• For example, alcoholics will continue to drink despite it causing them negative consequences.
• Our facility offers comprehensive treatment programs for each client’s unique needs.

They might also check for signs of alcohol use disorder which is the leading cause of wet brain. A brain MRI to show if there has been any damage to tissues in your brain might be recommended. mush brain Research shows that wet brain is more likely to develop in men than women. This is because men are more likely to be diagnosed with alcohol use disorder, the leading cause of wet brain.

How long can a person live with “wet brain”?

Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome is actually made up of two different conditions that are considered two stages of one disorder. These two stages are Wernicke encephalopathy and Korsakoff psychosis. We specialize in treating alcoholism in an outpatient setting, and we can also treat any co-occurring mental health disorders to streamline your recovery. At this stage, the person has taken too much of a liking to alcohol.

Research indicates that between 80% and 90% of those who abuse alcohol and develop Wernicke’s encephalopathy will also develop Korsakoff’s psychosis, a type of neuropsychiatric dementia. Korsakoff’s syndrome, also known as Korsakoff’s psychosis, often follows Wernicke’s syndrome. Korsakoff’s psychosis is a chronic and persistent condition that disrupts your daily functioning with significant impairments to both memory and learning.

Diagnosing and Treating Wet Brain

But if the condition is left untreated and a person continues to drink, they will go on to develop Korsakoff’s psychosis. Typically, an individual reaches end-stage alcoholism after years of alcohol abuse. At this point, people who have spent years drinking may have developed numerous health and mental conditions in addition to their alcohol abuse.

If you have experienced any of the symptoms listed above, then it’s vital that you reach out for help as soon as possible. If you can recognize wet brain in yourself, then you must seek help before the condition progresses. Alternatively, if you have recognized any of the symptoms above in a loved one, you should reach out for help on their behalf as soon as you can. IV injections of B vitamins and magnesium can help reverse the symptoms of wet brain. Permanent memory loss and cognitive deficits can lead to permanent disability and shortened lifespan. You’ve probably heard the axiom, “prevention is better than a cure.” This is especially true in the development of WKS in the brain.

Wet Brain Syndrome: Understanding the Consequences of Long-Term, Untreated Alcoholism

Treatment for this condition is typically focused on controlling symptoms that already exist and preventing them from worsening over time. Unfortunately, it is not likely that symptoms that have already begun to form could be reversed. Some individuals need to stay in a hospital where they can receive vitamin B1 injections. https://ecosoberhouse.com/article/why-is-my-vision-blurry-after-drinking-alcohol/ This will often help them become less delirious and confused, as well as minimize vision problems and muscle coordination problems, but it will not reverse the issue of memory loss. If the symptoms of WKS remain untreated, lesions can develop in the brain, leading to permanent and potentially fatal brain damage.