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Alcohol Information : Wernickes
What is Wernicke's?
Wernicke´s encephalopathy is a disease of the central nervous system characterized by confusion, staggering gait, and paralysis of eye muscles. It can lead to death or to a the development of severe short term memory loss. The commonest cause of Wernicke´s is alcoholism, although a number of different illnesses can be responsible. The mediating factor which is central to the occurrence of Wernicke´s for all these illnesses, is very low levels of vitamin B1, also known as thiamine.What can be done to prevent Wernicke´s?
Any one at risk of developing Wernicke´s, especially alcoholics, should be observed for the early signs of development. Early signs of Wernicke´s (more correctly known as Wernicke´s syndrome for early signs) include confusion and disorientation, a staggering gait and in some cases paralysis of eye muscles leading to a squint. Raised temperature and raised blood pressure may also be indicative of signs of a developing Wernicke´s. If the development of Wernicke´s is suspected, then patient should be treated as a medical emergency and given intravenous vitamin B1 (thiamine).What can be done to treat established Wernicke´s?
Once Wernicke´s has become established, it is known as Korsakoff´s syndrome. A small degree of recovery may occur over a period of years, but this seems unusual. The most effective treatment for established Wernicke´s is social treatment aimed at retraining the person to deal with their memory loss. Practical examples include the routine keeping and up-dating of lists, or maintenance of photographs of individuals with names, or other measures aimed at overcoming the debilitating short term memory loss associated with established Wernicke´s.
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