What are the indications someone has wernicke's encephalopathy?

The three Ws: The classical triad of wernickes is mental status changes, gait ataxia (discoordination), and incontinence. That being said, the majority of patients with wernickes do not display this triad, and as such we will often treat them empirically with thiamine, especially if they have a history of nutritional compromise.

Multiple symptoms: Patients with this disorder have a specific kind of difficulty walking and balance called ataxia, problems with eye movements, and an abnormal kind of to and fro eye movement called nystagmus. They also have problems forming new memories.