What is Wernicke's encephalopathy?
Wernicke encephalopathy is a serious neurological disorder, which results mainly in the lack of thiamine of nutrients, also known as vitamin B-1. Was named for Dr. Carla Wernicke, who first described it in 1881. It consists of three main symptoms: mental confusion, lack of muscle coordination and muscle paralysis that control eyes movements. Wernicke's encephalopathy is most often alcoholics, but may be present in people suffering from malnutrition, those who have an immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) and others. The first course of treatment of Wernicke encephalopathy involves the administration of thiamine intravenously to the patient. If it is not treated, it can proceed to a state known as Korsakoff's syndrome, which is even more serious, leading to memory loss and stamping brain. This state may further proceed to a coma and death.
Wernicke encephalopathy is not related to the brain -called area called the Wernicke region, which is associated with speech and tongue, although both are named after the same doctor. Nowhich abnormalities in the brain, visual in scanning magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can also be part of a set of typical symptoms of Wernicke encephalopathy.
As with most health conditions, Wernicke's encephalopathy can be treated most successful when it is caught soon. Proper handling can reverse it before serious, perhaps permanent effects. Long -term disability, including amnesia, may arise from a state that can seriously disrupt the ability of a person to function in society. Sometimes it is necessary to accept patients to the institution for permanent care. However, complete and rapid recovery is possible, even if some minor neurological symptoms persist in the short term after treatment.
Most cases of Wernicke encephalopathy are rooted in chronic alcohol abuse. Over time, alcohol can seriously disrupt the body's ability to absorb thiamine, which gradually leads to a lack of this nutrient. When someone is about kteIt is known to abuse alcohol, have symptoms such as confusion and ataxia of walking, which means that Wernicke encephalopathy should be considered a possible cause.
The average age of people they represent with this disorder is 50, although it may occur at someone at any age, including childhood. There is no race or gender more susceptible to Wernicke encephalopathy than any other. In men, however, it is more often seen, probably because men statistically much more often abuse alcohol than women .–