User:Mr. Ibrahem/Wernicke encephalopathy
Medical condition / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Wernicke encephalopathy (WE) is a brain disorder that classically results in – abnormal movement of the eyes, poor coordination, and confusion.[3] Around 10% of people exhibit all three features, with confusion being the most common.[4][6] It is generally of sudden onset.[3] When people walk they usually have their feet apart and take small steps.[3]
Mr. Ibrahem/Wernicke encephalopathy | |
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Other names | Cerebral beriberi,[1] Wernicke's disease, Wernicke's encephalopathy[2] |
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Hypothalamus | |
Symptoms | Abnormal movement of the eyes, poor coordination, confusion[3] |
Complications | Korsakoff syndrome[3] |
Usual onset | Sudden[3] |
Causes | Thiamine deficiency[3] |
Risk factors | Alcohol use disorder, malnutrition[4] |
Diagnostic method | Based on symptoms[3] |
Differential diagnosis | Alcohol withdrawal, electrolyte disorders, infection, drugs of abuse, head trauma[4] |
Treatment | Thiamine supplements[3] |
Frequency | 2%[5] |
Deaths | 15% without treatment[3] |
It occurs due to thiamine deficiency.[3] Risk factors include alcohol use disorder and malnutrition, though genetics may also play a role.[3] Causes of malnutrition may include nausea and vomiting of pregnancy, eating disorders, or cancer.[4] Diagnosis is generally based on symptoms; though may be supported by measuring blood thiamine levels.[3][4] Without treatment about 80% of cases are complicated by Korsakoff syndrome, with its associated memory problems.[4] The combination is known as Wernicke–Korsakoff syndrome.[3]
Treatment is with thiamine supplementation, which can lead to improvement within days to weeks, though some are left with permanent problems.[4] Often a thiamine dose of 100 to 200 mg, one to three times per day, injected into a vein, for 3 to 5 days is used.[4] Low magnesium should be treated if present.[3] Without treatment about 15% of people die.[3]
Wernicke's occurs in around 2% of people; though up to 12.5% of people with alcohol use disorder and 10% of people with AIDS are affected.[5] The condition is believed to be underdiagnosed.[4] It was initially described in 1881 by Carl Wernicke.[4]