Avoiding A 'Wet Brain'

Wernicke-Korsakoff Syndrome or ’Wet Brain’ 

Background: In 1881, Carl Wernicke first described an illness that consisted of paralysis of eye movements, inability to coordinate voluntary muscle movements, and mental confusion in 3 patients. The patients, 2 males with alcoholism with progression to coma and death. Wernicke detected holes and bleeding affecting the grey matter in some parts of the brain. 

S.S. Korsakoff, a Russian psychiatrist, described the disturbance of memory in the course of long-term alcoholism in a series of articles from 1887-1891. 

In 1897, Murawieff first postulated that a single cause of a disease was responsible for both syndromes – Wernicke syndrome and Korsakoff syndrome. Or, in common terms – ‘wet brain’. 

The term Wernicke encephalopathy is used to describe the symptom complex of paralysis of some nerves of the eye, inability to coordinate voluntary muscle movements, and an acute confusional state. If persistent learning and memory deficits are present, the symptom complex is termed Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome. 

Cause; A lack of thiamine (vitamin B-1) is responsible for the symptom manifested in Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome, and any condition resulting in a poor nutritional state places drinkers at risk. 

Heavy, long-term alcohol use is the most common association with Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome. Alcohol interferes with active stomach juice transport, and chronic liver disease leads to decreased activation of thiamine, as well as a decreased capacity of the liver to store thiamine. 

Statistics 

* Prevalence data have come primarily from post-mortem studies, with rates of 1 to 3%. 

* The rate has been found to be significantly higher in specific populations, ie, homeless people, older people (especially those living alone or in isolation), and psychiatric inpatients, where alcohol use and poor nutritional states predominate. 

* The death rate is 10-20%. That is if you get it you have a 10 to 20% chance of an early death. 

* In general, full recovery of eye function occurs. Fine horizontal eye movement can persist in as many as 60% of cases. 

* Approximately 40% of patients have complete recovery from inability to coordinate voluntary muscle movements. 

* Only 20% of patients recover completely from partial loss of memory deficit. 

* The rates of the disease are similar across races. 

* The condition affects males slightly more frequently than it affects females. 

* Age of onset is evenly distributed from 30-70 years. 

Eye/visual disturbances 

* Painless vision abnormalities 

* Double vision 

* squint 

Gait abnormalities 

* Wide-based, short-stepped gait 

* Inability to stand or walk without assistance 

Mental status changes 

* Apathy, indifference, insufficient speech 

* Hallucination, agitation 

* Confabulation: Patient fills in gaps of memory with data that can be recalled at that moment. 

Medical Care: Wernicke encephalopathy is a medical emergency. Prompt recognition of the symptoms and a high index of suspicion are crucial to ensure early treatment. Intravenous thiamine (50-100 mg) is the treatment of choice. 

alcohol drugs Wernicke Korsakoff Syndrome 

Functional Alcoholic? 

Early treatment can rapidly reverse the eye problems and improve inability to coordinate voluntary muscle movements and early mental confusion, as well as prevent development of the partial loss of memory state. In advanced cases, where severe prolonged deficiency has led to permanent structural brain damage, permanent thinking deficits remain. 

 

Long-term alcohol use is the most common aetiology for Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome, and abstinence provides the best chance for recovery. Referral to an alcohol recovery program should be part of the treatment regimen. 

A balanced diet should be resumed as early as possible. Vitamin and should be adhered to in addition to a well-balanced diet initially, and supplementation can be tapered as the patient resumes normal intake and demonstrates improvement. 

Due to gait abnormalities, unassisted ambulation is discouraged during the initial phase of treatment. Patients may require physical therapy evaluation for gait assistance. Gait abnormalities may be permanent, depending on the severity at initial presentation and the timeliness of therapy. 

Recovering patients will require outpatient follow-up care to evaluate for continued progress or relapse. 

Patients should continue taking thiamine supplementation, as well as other vitamins and electrolytes, until a well-balanced diet can be maintained. Long-term supplementation may be required in patients who cannot maintain adequate nutritional intake, whether from noncompliance or the underlying disorder. 

If you or someone you love or care about is in the grips of alcoholism, call us today for help with choosing addiction treatment options that is right for you at 07 56 066 315.

Web: www.coachingwithsubstance.org.au

 

Email: info@coachingwithsubstance.org.au

About Coaching With Substance

 

We are Australia's leading award winning addiction treatment and rehab consultants for gambling, drugs, alcohol, sex, eating and internet addiction, along with eating behavioural disorders and co-dependency. 

Maria Pau is a 4x No. 1 best-selling author on the subjects of addiction and co-dependency and spiritual wellness. She is the Program Director of Coaching with Substance, the first registered public benevolent institution, charity and not-for profit association in Australia that focuses on wellness instead of illness, using coaching principles for peak performance. We run a cutting edge holistic addiction treatment program and outpatient rehabilitation consultancy firm that ensures you are released from the shackles of addiction once and for all. 

Primary care at CWS is personalised to treat each individual using programs that integrate mind, body and soul. CWS programs are enhanced by highly effective group coaching and therapeutic processes as well as individual coaching, spiritual insights, therapy and extensive aftercare assistance. 

All clients are thoroughly assessed by a highly trained and experienced recovery coach, registered provisional psychologist, ordained monk, mental health officer and certified naturopaths (including Ayurveda and Acupuncturist). Clients may also be referred for psychometric testing and assessment, if needed. International clients welcome. 

We also welcome enquiries from English speaking people from Asia, Europe, Africa, India and South America. 

Primary care at CWS is personalised to treat each individual using programs that integrate mind, body and soul. CWS programs are enhanced by highly effective group coaching and therapeutic processes as well as individual coaching, spiritual insights, therapy and extensive aftercare assistance. 

All clients are thoroughly assessed by a highly trained and experienced recovery coach, registered provisional psychologist, ordained Monk, mental health officer and certified naturopaths (including Ayurveda and Acupuncturist). Clients may also be referred for psychometric testing and assessment, if needed. International clients welcome. 

We welcome enquiries from all English speaking people from Asia, Europe, Africa, India and South America. 

Breaking Through The Denial

Breaking Through Denial Is An ADDICT'S First Step in Recovery.

Looking in the mirror and accepting what we see can be one of the hardest things we ever do. It’s especially hard when the image staring us in the face is painful or doesn’t fit with how we want to see ourselves. 

Sometimes, the truth is so painful that we avoid it at any cost. 

Refusing to accept a painful reality that alters the perception of ourselves is a psychological defense called DENIAL. 

As human beings, we may use denial to protect ourselves from knowledge, insight or awareness that threatens our self-esteem, mental or physical health, or security. 

The term “denial” is often used in the ADDICTION field to describe people who deny ADDICTION problems. “Denial is the tendency of alcoholics AND addicts to either disavow or distort variables associated with their drinking, drug use OR gambling, etc.... in spite of evidence to the contrary. 

It’s a common misconception that all alcoholics and addicts are in denial. In fact, people have various levels of awareness of their ADDICTION problems and readiness to change behavior. People may recognize certain facts concerning their use, such as number of arrests or how often they drink. At the same time, they may woefully misperceive the impact their addiction has had on the people around them, their relationships, how they feel about themselves, or the implications of their drinking history. 

Some common statements made by addicts who deny their disease include: 

* “I could quit anytime I wanted to.” 

* “I’d quit using if people would quit bugging me.” 

* “If you were in my situation, you’d drink, too.” 

Typically, the more severe the addiction, the stronger the denial. This is often baffling and frustrating to family members and others who care about the addicted person. If a person doesn’t recognize that his or her behavior is creating problems, then he or she wouldn’t see the need to change or seek assistance. They are also likely to react negatively to people who believe they have a problem. 

Also feeding denial is the stigma and shame associated with addiction. 

Unfortunately, much of society still perceives adiction as a moral failure. 

There are many barriers to overcoming denial. In some cases, the addicts behavior may be similar to his or her peers — it’s hard for them to understand that anything is wrong. 

Other people don’t think they can be successful in making changes in their lives, so they refuse to recognize there is a problem. 

Addicted people don’t have a monopoly on denial. The defence is also employed by many people with chronic illnesses such as diabetes, heart disease, cancer and AIDS. People with these diseases may use denial to avoid accepting their mortality, giving up fantasies of control or invincibility, or dramatically changing lifestyles. 

An article in the Dec. 14, 1994 issue of the “Journal of the American Medical Association” notes that “denial may constitute a barrier to the patient’s sharing of essential information; it may also interfere with the patient’s ability to hear and accept professional advice.” 

Examples of denial include not reporting chest pain or other potentially life-threatening symptoms and denying the impact of chronic or disfiguring illnesses. 

It is a myth that harshly confronting a person with the consequences of his or her behaviour helps people break through denial. 

In most cases, it builds up the defence even more. People fear coming into treatment because of the shame and stigma associated with ADDICTION; they fear rejection and confrontation and facing up to their guilt and low self-esteem. 

A more effective way is to help people learn more about their disease of addiction and get support from others who also have the disease. 

Family members can help by allowing the addicted loved one to experience the consequences of his or her addictive behavioue. If someone passes out in the yard — unless it’s a life-threatening situation — they should be left there. The person will begin to recognize that there are consequences for his or her actions. 

If family members give feedback, it should be when the person is sober or straight and it should be expressed in a caring and loving way rather than confrontational manner. 

IF YOU OR SOMEONE YOU LOVE IS IN DENIAL ABOUT AN ADDICTION CALL US TODAY FOR IMMEDIATE ASSISTANCE. PHONE 07 560 66315

 

Web: www.coachingwithsubstance.org.au

 

Email info@coachingwithsubstance.org.auinfo@coachingwithsubstance.org.au

ABOUT COACHING WITH SUBSTANCE (WINNER Best Not-for-Profit 2014)

We are Australia's leading award winning addiction treatment and rehab consultants for gambling, drugs, alcohol, sex, eating and internet addiction, along with eating behavioural disorders and co-dependency for Australasia and New Zealand. Call us on 07 5606 6315 if you want to speak to an Addiction Specialist.

Our Founder, Maria Pau is a 4x No. 1 best-selling author on the subjects of addiction and co-dependency and spiritual wellness. She is the Program Director of Coaching with Substance, the first of its kind in Australia as registered public benevolent institution, charity and not-for profit association that focuses on wellness using coaching principles of peak performance. She is currently completing her PhD on Recovery Coaching and is the first registered Recovery Coach in Australia.

We run a cutting edge holistic addiction treatment program and outpatient rehabilitation consultancy firm that ensures you are released from the shackles of addiction once and for all. Primary care at CWS is personalised to treat each individual using programs that integrate mind, body and soul. CWS programs are enhanced by highly effective group coaching and therapeutic processes as well as individual coaching, spiritual insights, therapy and extensive aftercare assistance.

All clients are thoroughly assessed by a highly trained and experienced recovery coach, registered provisional psychologist, ordained Taoist Monk, mental health officer and certified naturopaths (including Ayurveda and Acupuncturist). Clients may also be referred for psychometric testing and assessment, if needed. International clients welcome.

We welcome enquiries from all English speaking people from Asia, Europe, Africa, India and South America.