That said, patients who have stage 2 wet brain incur permanent damage to the brain. Unfortunately, people with wet brain that’s in the second stage have a life expectancy of about 6 months to 1 year. Wet brain in the second stage is fatal because it has similar symptoms as dementia; it also progresses at a similar pace. Alcohol and death are linked in many ways because of how alcohol impacts the body. Along with thiamine, people who struggle with alcohol abuse often have low levels of zinc, magnesium, selenium, and other important vitamins and minerals in their body.

His passion for medical education led to his journey in medical writing. He also serves as medical coordinator and content writer for Gerocare Solutions, for which he also volunteers as a health advisor/consultant for the elderly. These are only a handful of diseases that are influenced by alcoholism. If you or a loved one is struggling with alcoholism, we recommend finding treatment as soon as possible. This essential nutrient converts glucose (or sugar) into energy and supports the brain to make and send chemical messages.

Stages of Wet Brain

Glucose, a type of sugar, also increases the likelihood of developing an alcoholic wet brain. Because alcohol is turned into glucose sugar in the body, the risk factors of developing WKS, or wet brain, are increased for long-term alcoholics. The main way a person diagnosed with Wernicke Korsakoff Syndrome is treated is through intensive thiamine supplementation, via intravenous injection, intramuscular injection, or taken as an oral https://ecosoberhouse.com/ supplement. High doses of thiamine are one of the most effective treatment methods and can result in full or partial recovery, with the best results achieved if the condition is caught early. Other vitamins and supplements may also be given to support the body’s natural thiamine production and absorption. “Wet Brain” begins with symptoms of Wernicke’s encephalopathy that is severe but may be temporary if treated by a doctor.

Once alcoholism is diagnosed, the doctor can run bloodwork to check for a vitamin B1 deficiency. Should they find that there is a deficiency, they may order ECG, EKG, CT, and MRI scans to determine how severely the brain has been impacted. First and foremost, frequent alcohol abuse over many years damages cells in the body and brain.

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People who are struggling to end substance use and dependence and cope with the symptoms of mental health disorders in their lives can get the help they need through a dual diagnosis program. People who suffer from addiction to alcohol wet brain tend to have poor diets that don’t cater to their nutritional needs, which can result in a lack of thiamine. Additionally, alcohol reduces the body’s ability to absorb thiamine, which can harm the brain’s ability to function normally.

Alcohol also causes inflammation of the digestive tract, making it even more difficult for the body to absorb thiamine from food. The good news—if caught early enough—is that wet brain syndrome is a preventable, treatable disease if you stop drinking and seek help. Intense thiamine replacement therapy and abstinence from alcohol can result in a noticeable improvement in both mental and physical functioning within weeks. Due to the brain damage and memory loss wet brain causes, it can be difficult to determine each patient’s outlook or life expectancy. The studies that are available have small sample sizes, and further research is likely needed.

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Ben Lesser is one of the most sought-after experts in health, fitness and medicine. His articles impress with unique research work as well as field-tested skills. He is a freelance medical writer specializing in creating content to improve public awareness of health topics.

• Still, only about 10 per cent of patients are afflicted with these symptoms, making the diagnosis extremely challenging.
• Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome (WKS) is a rare memory disorder that occurs due to a lack of thiamine (vitamin B1) and malnutrition.