Question 1

whats wernicke encephalopathy?

Accepted Answer

Deficiency of B1: It is a neurologic syndrome caused by a deficiency of vitamin b1. It is mostly confined to those with severe malnutrition, classically patients with alcoholism. It damages areas of the brain concerned with balance, eye movements and memory so those with the syndrome have difficulty walking ( ataxia) memory problems, and ey movement abnormalities.

Question 2

what is wernicke encephalopathy like?

Accepted Answer

Confabulation: Wernicke's encephalopathy is due to a vitamin deficiency and causes a typical picture of dementia, gait problems, and confabulation which means that the patient's conversation is not based in reality and that can difficult to distinguish from psychosis.

Question 3

is wernicke encephalopathy a disability?

Accepted Answer

Disability?: Yes, it can become a disability if not treated quickly.  However, rapid diagnosis and treatment can lead to full recovery -- supposing the person is also able to maintain healthy intake of nutrients after the crisis.  (and not go on drinking alcohol, if that's what precipitated the problem to begin with).

Question 4

what are the tests for wernicke encephalopathy?

Accepted Answer

The best test...: ...Is probably to administer a dose of thiamine (vitamin b1) -- a rapid improvement suggests that the vitamin deficiency was responsible for encephalopathy in the first place. Otherwise a combination of symptoms and risk factors (such as alcoholism) is what leads to the diagnosis.

Question 5

what is the definition or description of: wernicke encephalopathy?

Accepted Answer

Thiamine deficiency: Occurring in chronic alcoholics, chronic malnutrition, rarely during cancer chemo or pancreatitis.  Symptoms include, confusion, disorientation, hallucinations, memory loss, abnormal eye movements including nystagmus and double vision, incoordination and imbalance.  With prompt thiamine, symptoms may clear within a few days, but 25 % develop korsakoff's psychosis with permanent memory impairments.

Question 6

what are the common presenting symptoms of wernicke encephalopathy?

Accepted Answer

Wernicke's: Wernicke's encephalopathy is a serious neurologic disorder related to thiamine deficiency, and seen frequently in chronic alcoholics.  The presenting triad of symptoms is confusion, ataxia, and ophthalmoplegia (inability to move the eyes).  In advanced cases you might also see memory loss and confabulation -- the person fills in what isn't recalled, with stories that could sound okay, but aren't.

Question 7

wernicke encephalopathy disability treatable?

Accepted Answer

Yes: If diagnosed before permanent damage the disease is easily treatable with b1 vitamin supplementation.

Question 8

what is the treatment for wernicke encephalopathy?

Accepted Answer

Thiamine STAT!: The treatment of wernicke's encephalopathy, which is caused by thiamine deficiency, is replenishing the person with thiamine.  Usually 500 mg is given 2-3 times parenterally -- also with magnesium because these patients are often deficient in that also.  You don't want to give glucose in an IV without also supplying thiamine, because that could cause more brain cell death.

Question 9

why we give glucose after thiamine in wernicke encephalopathy?

Accepted Answer

Disproven: This has supposedly been debunked in some articles. But the theory is that if a thiamine deficient patient is given glucose this would deplete further thiamine stores and further worsen wernickes.

Question 10

if i suspect onset of wernicke encephalopathy can over-the-counter b1(thiamine) cure me? my right eye cannot turn in when i look far away

Accepted Answer

Best to see a doctor: Wernicke's encephalopathy can be a serious condition involving more than just thiamine and many things can cause eye muscle paralysis best if you have a doctor evaluate this one to be sure exactly the cause.

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Wernicke encephalopathy

A member asked:

Whats wernicke encephalopathy?

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What is wernicke encephalopathy like?

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Is wernicke encephalopathy a disability?

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What are the tests for wernicke encephalopathy?

A member asked:

What is the definition or description of: wernicke encephalopathy?

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What are the common presenting symptoms of wernicke encephalopathy?

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Wernicke encephalopathy disability treatable?

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What is the treatment for wernicke encephalopathy?

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Why we give glucose after thiamine in wernicke encephalopathy?

A member asked:

If i suspect onset of wernicke encephalopathy can over-the-counter b1(thiamine) cure me? my right eye cannot turn in when i look far away

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