Wernicke-Korsakoff Syndrome - What is It?

Alcohol is highly calorific. It contains nearly double the number of calories that protein does. While for many regular drinkers it simply means piling on a few pounds, the calorific nature of alcohol has huge implications for people whose drinking habits border on abuse. It is this that can lead to Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome.

The body does not distinguish between calories from drink and calories from food. This will mean that energy-wise, the body can cope well on a liquid diet. But alcoholic drinks do not contain other essential nutritional components such as carbohydrates, fat, protein or vitamins. Since people who are alcohol dependent tend to have poor eating habits, often eating very little at all when they are drinking excessively, this can eventually lead to sever malnutrition.

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Being severely malnourished can cause Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome, which is triggered by a long term deficiency of thiamine (vitamin B). Advancing brain damage leads to Wernicke's encephalopathy, which includes symptoms such as involuntary eye movements, sometimes followed by full or partial paralysis of the eyes, short term memory problems and balance difficulty. Korsakoff's syndrome can cause severe amnesia and confabulation. This means that the person will experience gaps in the memory and try to invent events and stories to fill in those holes.

Thiamine deficiency can destroy glial cells and neurones, and damage the areas surrounding the hippocampus in the brain. Since the hippocampus is important for forming fresh memories, Wenicke-Korsakoff syndrome can cause chronic problems to the sufferer's mental facilities, and disrupt their quality of life.

Alcohol dependency is a serious and growing problem. While Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome is not currently very well known there is a good chance that it will become increasingly common. If you think you or someone you love is slipping into alcoholism it is important to seek professional help as soon as possible. Your family doctor will be able to help put you in touch with organisations which specialise in helping alcoholics recover.

Wernicke-Korsakoff Syndrome - What is It?

SEVERS DISEASE