Wet Brain: What Is Wernicke-Korsakoff Syndrome? FHE Health

While unsettling, the words are memorable short descriptors of a disease that can affect long-term alcoholics at some point in the trajectory of their addiction. Dual diagnosis programs can help people who are suffering from addiction along with a co-occurring disorder, such as anxiety, stress, https://ecosoberhouse.com/ or depression. People who are struggling to end substance use and dependence and cope with the symptoms of mental health disorders in their lives can get the help they need through a dual diagnosis program. Alcoholism is the most common cause of wet brain, though it is not the only one.

Cognitive Impairment Problems with Korsakoff Psychosis

Wet brain, formally known as Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome, is a type of brain damage that can occur after extended and repeated exposure to heavy drinking. The excessive consumption of alcohol can cause a deficiency of thiamine, or vitamin B1, which is an essential vitamin for the proper functioning of the brain and body. Alcoholism interferes with the consumption, absorption, and activation of thiamine in your system. The wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome is actually the occurrence of two syndromes. Wernicke encephalopathy and Korsakoff syndrome are two separate conditions though they commonly occur together because they are both caused by a thiamine deficiency. Wernicke encephalopathy usually occurs first and causes damage to the thalamus and hypothalamus, which are in the lower part of the brain.

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For example, if you have anemia, iron supplements may increase your production of red blood cells and reduce your brain fog. If you notice brain fog while taking medication, talk with your mush brain doctor. Brain fog is a known side effect of certain medications, such as certain sleep and pain medications. Lowering your dosage or switching to another drug may improve your symptoms.

Do You Suffer from Brain Fatigue?

The grim reality of chronic alcohol abuse is that the body can only handle so much; and Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome is a tragic, heartbreaking consequence of the abusive nature of alcoholism. A failure to diagnose this syndrome leads to death in 20 percent of cases, and long-term brain damage in 75 percent. When someone drinks large amounts of alcohol over a long period of time, they can experience a form of permanent brain damage called wet brain.

Once they’ve been discharged from the hospital, patients should continue the regimen of taking oral thiamine and other recommended vitamin supplements. If you are suffering from alcohol abuse, it’s important to take the necessary action in order to prevent wet brain symptoms from developing in your life. As we mentioned earlier, the symptoms of the final stages of wet brain are less likely to be treatable and can even be fatal. So, the best thing you can do is to prevent alcoholism from leading to WKS in your life. It is also possible that genetics can play a role in the extent of brain damage from alcoholism. People with a family history of alcohol use disorder may be at higher risk of wet brain, and people who were exposed to alcohol while in the womb are at higher risk as well.

• Treatment must occur at this acute stage, and in a hospital to monitor for adverse reactions.
• In other cases, alcohol can upset the stomach and the person may experience loss of appetite, or vomiting, which can reduce sources of thiamine.
• This workhorse vitamin converts food into energy in the brain, nerves and heart.
• The question remains, however, whether such extensive damage can be reversed after abstaining from alcohol.

It tends to sneak up on you after periods of stress or heavy thinking. Experts previously believed that after a given point in life, your brain could no longer change or develop further. Art can also help promote relaxation, so consider building time for art into your week. Like many skills, artistic abilities often improve with time and practice. Artistic pursuits can also help create new pathways and strengthen existing connections in your brain, leading to better cognitive function overall.

• In one 2012 study, researchers looked at 10 exchange students who were native English speakers studying German in Switzerland.
• Medical experts say the best treatment for living with this disease is to stay sober, eat healthily and receive the most appropriate support for their ongoing cognitive and physical needs.
• Because alcohol is turned into glucose sugar in the body, the risk factors of developing WKS, or wet brain, are increased for long-term alcoholics.
• There’s plenty of evidence to suggest that acquiring a new language improves cognitive function.
• Instead of eating a balanced diet, many alcoholics drink their calories, depriving their bodies of essential vitamins.

Someone’s overall health can also impact their chance of getting Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome. In many ways, a person struggling with alcohol addiction and showing symptoms of second-phase wet brain acts much like someone with Alzheimer’s disease. Your body can’t produce thiamine on its own—it has to be ingested through your diet.

Stay on top of stress

If you can only manage a 15-minute walk on your lunch break, you’re still benefiting by giving your brain a break, improving your mental clarity and possibly even relieving some stress. If you’re feeling too stressed or busy to have a proper meal during the day, keep nutritious snacks like fruit, yogurt, raw vegetables, and nuts close at hand. Sleep may take a backseat to everything else when you’re under a lot of stress. But your body needs sleep even more than usual when you have a lot going on. Whether on-the-go, at the gym or just livin your best life— MOSH protein bars will keep your brain + body fit, fueled and feeling good. Another 2012 study found evidence to support the idea that picking up a new language increases gray matter density and neuroplasticity.

What Is Wernicke-Korsakoff Syndrome (“Wet Brain”)?

Nonetheless, alcoholism is typically the cause of the wet brain because alcohol interferes with the absorption of thiamine as well as the enzyme that activates thiamine in the body. Even if a person is diagnosed with wet brain, it may still be very difficult for them to abstain from consuming alcohol. This is especially true if the person is addicted to alcohol or physically dependent on it, which can be difficult for friends and family members to accept. It’s important to remember, however, that alcohol addiction is a chronic and powerful disease and the way an alcoholic behaves won’t always make sense to loved ones. The best way to find out if you have wet brain or Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome is to see a doctor.