What is Wet Brain? Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment

The levels of phosphate–free thiamine in the cell are relatively low and are tightly regulated by rapid conversion to the phosphorylated forms. Wet brain is a serious condition that can be difficult to diagnose. If you or someone you know has been drinking excessively, it’s important to be aware of the symptoms and seek medical help.

If this were not enough, any number of ailments can be the results of alcohol overuse, dependence, and substance disorders. These detriments include life-threatening outcomes as well, including heart disease, alcohol poisoning, stroke, liver disorders, and even cancer.

Is “wet brain” like dementia?

Thiamine deficiency is particularly important because it can exacerbate many of the other processes by which alcohol induces brain injury, as described in other articles in this issue of Alcohol Research & Health. Most people consume enough thiamine to prevent the development of this condition. However, people who struggle with alcohol use disorder may focus on consuming alcohol instead of eating a balanced diet, with whole grains and lean proteins. In other cases, alcohol can upset the stomach and the person may experience loss of appetite, or vomiting, which can reduce sources of thiamine. The liver stores some thiamine, although not very much, and damage to the liver from long-term alcohol abuse can prevent storage and release of this vitamin nutrient into the body. Most people have heard of the term “Wet Brain” but not many know its actual meaning. Wet Brain from alcohol impacts the thalamus and hypothalamus region of the brain and may also result in permanent brain damage and memory problems.

Both of these molecules are essential for the production of numerous other important molecules in the cell. Ribose–5–phosphate is needed for the synthesis of nucleic acids, complex sugar molecules, and other compounds. NADPH provides hydrogen atoms for chemical reactions that result in the production of steroids, fatty acids, amino acids, certain neurotransmitters, and other molecules. In addition, NADPH plays an important role in the synthesis of glutathione, a compound that is essential in the body’s defense against oxidative stress. To function properly, all cells require certain levels of NADPH and ribose–5–phosphate, and the biochemical reaction mediated by transketolase is crucial for maintaining the appropriate levels of both molecules. Treatment involves replacement of thiamine and providing proper nutrition and hydration. In individuals with Wernicke’s encephalopathy, it is very important to start thiamine replacement before beginning nutritional replenishment.

Alcohol–thiamine interactions

The terms “sopping” or “drenched” are not used, and perhaps intentionally so. The system is neither; it is in a state of constant wetness or, the opposite, wet brain never being dry. Wet brain syndrome is determined by several factors, including how long a person has been drinking and how often they do it.

The irreversible harm comes when Wernicke’s encephalopathy progresses intoKorsakoff psychosis. Upward of 80–90 percent of people make this disastrous transition. This is mostly because Wernicke encephalopathy is simply too difficult to diagnose — no thanks to its aforementioned symptoms being mistaken for mere intoxication. Once someone enters Korsakoff psychosis, the chronic phase of the condition, there is a high likelihood of perpetual brain damage and death. People who find themselves at this stage have trouble remembering, complications with coordination, hallucinations, and more.

Cognitive effects

A failure to diagnose this syndrome leads to death in 20 percent of cases, and long-term brain damage in 75 percent. Wet brain syndrome https://ecosoberhouse.com/ (Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome) is caused by nutritional deficiencies most commonly brought on by chronic heavy drinking.

• If you or a loved one is struggling with alcohol addiction, we are here to offer nonjudgmental and professional care.Contact usto schedule an appointment and get the help you need.
• By submitting this form you agree to terms of use and privacy policy of the website.
• Left untreated, a person with this condition who continues to drink may eventually be unable to function independently and may become severely cognitively impaired.
• Wernicke’s encephalopathy is a condition where neurological symptoms become present in the patient due to biochemical lesions of the nervous system.
• Based on statistics from the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, 90 percent of alcoholics suffering from stage 1 symptoms go on to develop stage 2, with some overlap between the stages and symptoms.
• People who start problem drinking at young ages, and drink heavily will be at higher risk of developing wet brain than those who drink moderately or don’t develop alcoholism until they are older.

This task required subjects to estimate a physical quality such as size, weight, quantity or time (e.g. What is the average length of a shower?), of a particular item. Patients with WKS performed worse than normal control participants on all of the tasks in this category.

Identifying Wet Brain

Learn more about this disorder, the symptoms, and the signs of chronic alcohol abuse that can put your life in danger. Once the immediate or life-threatening symptoms of wet brain have been treated, the next step is for the patient to stop using alcohol completely. Alcohol withdrawal can kill some patients so detoxing under medical supervision is highly recommended. People who abuse alcohol are also more likely to suffer from other health problems such as cancer, HIV/AIDS, heart complications and kidney failure. These conditions can cause Vitamin B-1 deficiency and thereby increase a person’s risk of developing this condition.

Want to learn more, find out can alcohol permanently damage your brain. Wernicke-Korsakoff Syndrome typically starts with signs of brain damage, followed by symptoms of psychosis. The symptoms of wet brain, which tend to get more severe over time, are similar to those of dementia. ” While it’s an interesting and informal expression, it describes a very serious illness related to alcohol abuse that can potentially decrease your life expectancy. Life expectancy Wet brain, or Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome, is highly variable. One study found over 50% of patients diagnosed with the condition are expected to die within 8 years. Depending on the extent to which the patient has other comorbidities from alcohol – advanced liver disease, for example – the prognosis could be as short as months.

Author: admin