The thiamine will help address problems of confusion or delirium, as well as vision and muscle coordination. Treatment of Wernicke’s encephalopathy begins with increased intake of thiamine. Doctors will help patients identify a more well-rounded diet of vitamin B1. While wet brain isn’t curable, early detection can help treat symptoms and slow the progression of the disease. “Encephalopathy” refers to any disease that affects the structure or function of the brain.
- Wet brain is not believed to be curable; however, with early detection and treatment, some of the effects may be reversible.
- Still, only about 10 per cent of patients are afflicted with these symptoms, making the diagnosis extremely challenging.
Is Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome the same as Wet Brain?
What can treatment for alcohol abuse and addiction do to stave off Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome? The earlier someone seeks help for their drinking, the quicker they can resume a normal life. They’ll also have a greater likelihood of avoiding serious medical and psychological complications from alcoholism. This includes helping to prevent the development of Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome. After all, no one wants to suffer from mush brain or go through lingering mush brain alcohol effects. The treatment goal for Wernicke-Korsakoff Syndrome is to improve symptoms and delay the disease progression.
Brain Fog
These are all valid fears that cause incalculable suffering for alcoholics and their loved ones. Alcoholic wet brain, or Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome (WKS), is a lesser-known consequence of alcoholism, but the impact it has on sufferers is debilitating and deadly. At Wellness Retreat Recovery, we offer comprehensive and evidence-based care to help individuals overcome their addiction to alcohol and achieve lasting recovery. One of the primary treatment options we offer is inpatient rehab for alcohol addiction. In order to properly function, the brain needs a certain amount of the vitamin thiamine. A thiamine deficiency essentially robs the brain of energy, because without thiamine the brain cannot process glucose.
- Alcohol withdrawal can be extremely dangerous and in some cases, life-threatening.
- While 21st century humans have become great at listening to podcasts, whilst scrolling Instagram, whilst doing the vacuuming, we have become pretty terrible at listening to our bodies.
- But brain fog is not the same as fatigue or lethargy, although they often go hand in hand or co-occur with symptoms of other conditions.
- Someone with confabulation will often repeat these made-up memories, thinking they are real.
- Other signs may include abnormal eye movements and difficulties with balance and walking.
Wernicke-Korsakoff Syndrome Life Expectancy
While these impacts can create lifelong damage to the brain and cognitive functions, individuals can find healing and improvements in cognitive functioning through recovery and quitting alcohol use. However, once a person is in the end stages of wet brain, or once it has developed into Korsakoff’s psychosis, the damage done to the brain is not reversible. If a person is in the end stages of alcoholism, the life expectancy of mush brain meaning a person with wet brain can be as little as six months. Lack of thiamine can occur due to long-term, heavy use of alcohol, dietary deficiencies, eating disorders, and chemotherapy. 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.
If your brain mush doesn’t clear up with lifestyle changes, it might be time to consult a healthcare professional. Let a healthcare provider know if brain fog affects your day-to-day life. They’ll be able to diagnose and manage the underlying cause to help you feel better. Your provider may also recommend lifestyle changes, like eating healthy meals and getting better sleep, to improve how your immune system functions.
Wet Brain Treatment
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.
Is Wernicke-Korsakoff Syndrome Treatable?
If untreated, wet brain can also lead to permanent brain damage that cannot be reversed, even if alcohol use is stopped and thiamine levels are fully replaced. What about heavy drinkers and those concerned about the physical and mental issues they’re beginning to experience from alcohol consumption? There’s no certainty that an alcoholic will develop Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome. It is, however, more likely to occur with long-term Halfway house alcoholics who’ve failed to get treatment for their addiction.
- People with Korsakoff psychosis often experience confabulation, a condition in which someone subconsciously makes new memories to fill in gaps in the memory.
- You might want to talk to a provider if you frequently forget about appointments, have trouble completing ordinary tasks or find it difficult to pay attention when someone’s talking to you.
- Depriving the brain over long periods of thiamine damages this region, and left untreated and unchecked, it can cause permanent brain damage.
What Does Wet Brain Feel Like?
Extensive abuse of alcohol, or alcoholism, carries a multitude of harmful health implications and side effects, such as developing a wet brain. Reports from the NIAAA show that up to 80 per cent of alcoholics may have thiamine (vitamin B1) deficiencies. Thiamine is a crucial vitamin responsible for helping the body metabolize and use sugars to create energy successfully. In wet braincases, thiamine levels are compromised through poor eating habits.