Details
|
Wernickle-Korsakoff Syndrome is a disorder consisting of 2 disorders such as longer lasting amnesia and acute confusional state (a form of encephalopathy). Such disorders are caused by disfunction of the person’s brain resulted by Vitamin B1 (thiamine) deficiency. Drinking large amounts of alcoholic beverages without eating meals that consist of Vitamin B1 lowers, the brain’s supplies with such vitamin. Getting large fluid amounts intravenously or drinking large amounts of other fluids may also result in Wernickle-Korsakoff Syndrome in an individual who was in the past poorly nourished. Individuals with developing acute wernicke’s encephalopathies tend to become confused, progress eye problems (nystagmus, double vision, or eye movement paralysis), and stagger. Severe memory loss is also common. Vitamin B1 (thiamine) is given intravenously generally correcting the problem. If left untreated, acute Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome may be fatal. For this cause, if an alcoholic becomes confused or develops abnormal neurologic symptoms, B, treatment must be started promptly. Korsakoff amnesia accompanies acute Wernicke encephalopathy and can become permanent, if it follows repeated or severe attacks of withdrawal of alcohol or encephalopathy. Significant loss of memory frequently accompanies by delirium and agitation. In chronic Korsakoff amnesia, immediate prompt memory is retained, but memories for relatively long-term events or current events is lost. However, remote memory survives in some cases. Individuals who have chronic Korsakoff’s amnesia can be able to socially interact and hold acoherent conversations, even though they are not able to remember anything that happened in previous several months, days, years, or preceding several minutes. Bewildered by the memory lack, they tend to make things up rather than admitting that they cannot remember. Although, Korsakoff’s amnesia mostly happens with B1 deficiency, it may also be caused by acute encephalitis, cardiac arrest, or head injury. Sometimes symptoms of Korsakoff amnesia slowly disappear on their own if contributing disease is treated and alcohol is avoided. [Source: Merck Manual of Health Information, Home Edition]
|
