Wet Brain Syndrome: Symptoms, Causes, & Treatment

What Is Wet Brain Syndrome?

Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome (wet brain syndrome) is a relatively rare condition marked by a spectrum of neurological symptoms that gradually progress to create severe, irreversible effects.¹ The syndrome is caused by a lack of thiamin (vitamin B1) in the body, affecting about 2% of people worldwide.² B1 is necessary for the body to help create energy from food, and permanent damage occurs in the brain, particularly in the thalamus and hypothalamus, without appropriate B1 levels.^2,3

Various medical and mental health conditions can result in WKS, but the major risk factor is alcohol use. Excessive and chronic alcohol consumption leads to malnutrition and limits the ability to absorb vitamin B1. Unfortunately, as many as 80% of people with the condition will never receive a diagnosis of Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome, so those who binge drink or live with alcoholism should understand the dangers.⁴

Signs of Wet Brain Syndrome

Wet brain syndrome is one condition with separate, progressive stages. Wernicke’s encephalopathy is stage one and the acute phase of WKS when symptoms may present but are not necessarily permanent. Without quick and consistent intervention, this phase can shift into Karsaoff’s syndrome (Korsakoff’s amnesic syndrome or Koasakoff’s psychosis).

While stage one of wet brain syndrome is acute, stage two is a chronic memory disorder.² The cumulative effects of wet brain syndrome can be severe and affect the person with the condition and their loved ones. Signs become more persistent and consequential once Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome advances to stage two, and returning to the previous way of life may be impossible. Sadly, about half of people who experience stage one will move on to stage two.²

Signs of Wernicke’s encephalopathy may include:^1,2

• Loss of coordination
• Trouble walking
• Confusion
• Lying, or making up information to conceal memory loss (confabulation)
• Drowsiness
• Frustration and irritability
• Resistance

Signs of Korsakoff’s syndrome may include:^1,2

• Amnesia
• Inability to form new memories
• Confabulation
• Disorientation and delirium
• Fatigue and low motivation
• Poor focus and attention
• Trouble walking steadily
• Shakiness

Wernicke’s encephalopathy can also create a unique set of eye issues that include:²

• Involuntary eye movements
• Double vision
• Drooping eyelids
• Weakness of the eye muscles

Symptoms of Wet Brain Syndrome

Many people believe those with “wet brain syndrome” will experience symptoms due to excessive alcohol consumption. Although many with WKS also have an alcohol addiction or alcohol use disorder, other factors can contribute to the condition. Many Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome symptoms can be challenging to identify because they are also linked to alcohol intoxication, and stage one symptoms of WKS can decrease and return later. Individuals may not seek necessary diagnosis or treatment due to a lack of understanding and identification, and some may only notice symptoms of wet brain well after they become irreversible.

Common wet brain symptoms include:¹

• Mental confusion and disorientation
• Blurry vision and other eye problems
• Hallucinations
• Coma
• Feeling cold (hypothermia)
• Low blood pressure
• Cardiac issues
• Lack of muscle coordination (ataxia)

What Causes Wet Brain Syndrome?

The most significant risk factor for developing wet brain is excessive and chronic alcohol use. Alcohol consumption interferes with movement and absorption in the GI tract, which disrupts B1. Additionally, alcohol damages the liver, which affects the ability to process and store B1.⁵

Another possible causation associated with Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome is bariatric surgery, and Wernicke encephalopathy can arise within two weeks after surgeries that affect typical nutrition. If left untreated, symptoms can progress to stage two quickly. Young women who frequently vomit after their surgeries are in the greatest danger.⁵

People store about 18 days’ worth of thiamine in the body. Wet brain symptoms will develop between two and three weeks after a person experiences a physical or psychological change that influences their ability to consume or use B1. Those who ignore their symptoms or leave their condition untreated will be at severe risk.⁵

Possible risk factors for developing WKS include:

• Those who are malnourished or starving due to eating disorders, schizophrenia, or cancer
• People who are abused and mistreated
• Excessive nausea and vomiting associated with pregnancy
• Problems along the GI tract, like abscesses, inflammatory bowel disease, and obstructions
• Plastic surgery to remove excess skin around the abdomen
• Chronic diseases like tuberculosis and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS)
• Being breastfed by a mother with low levels of thiamine

How Is Wet Brain Syndrome Diagnosed?

Since WKS is a medical condition, the diagnosis of wet brain is best left to a primary care physician, an emergency room doctor, or a neurologist. These professionals may diagnose WKS if a person shows a combination of risk factors and symptoms. Doctors may also run tests and order laboratory exams to look for other signs of wet brain and rule out conditions that produce similar symptoms, like epilepsy, concussions, tumors, and dementia⁵

To diagnose wet brain syndrome, a physician will look for the following signs:⁵

• Alcohol use
• Low body temperature
• Low blood pressure
• Eye symptoms, including blurred or double vision
• Weakness and poor coordination
• Memory problems or confusion
• Signs and symptoms of malnutrition

Wernicke-Korsakoff Syndrome Treatment Options

Wet brain treatment is effective and accessible and should begin immediately after symptom detection. Some providers recommend treatment interventions even when WKS is not confirmed. The primary treatment for wet brain is addressing thiamin (vitamin B1) deficiency until bodily levels are restored. People will often receive 100 mg of thiamine by injection into the veins or muscles for about a week, but other treatment bodies recommend 500 mg doses thrice daily for two or three days. These injections are much more effective than oral doses of thiamin.⁵ While replenishing vitamin B1 is important, this is not the only treatment for individuals with wet brain syndrome.

Treatments for Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome may include:⁵

• Restarting proper nutrition: A person must receive nutrition from healthy foods and drinks to combat wet brain syndrome. After the thiamine injections end, they must maintain the needed vitamin levels.
• Adding electrolytes: Magnesium and potassium are necessary for heart and brain health. However, these electrolytes are commonly disrupted by poor diets. Supplementing electrolytes can reduce symptoms of WKS.
• Physical therapy: People with wet brain may struggle to walk and maneuver their environments well until symptoms subside. Because of this, exercise and other physical activities are usually discouraged to avoid injury. Physical therapy can help maintain physical health until coordination returns.
• Alcohol abstinence: Excessive alcohol use can cause irreversible brain damage and is the primary driver of wet brain, so treatments will likely be ineffective as long as consumption continues. To fully treat wet brain syndrome, individuals must stop drinking alcohol and abusing other substances. Without abstinence, treatment will stall.

Can Wet Brain Be Reversed?

Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome symptoms can be reversed if identified and treated early. However, the extent of the damage may not be readily apparent. Cognitive symptoms will stabilize after the acute treatment phase when thiamine levels are replenished. Attention, concentration, and memory may be permanently impaired, but these wet brain symptoms are avoidable with early attention. Once these areas of the brain are damaged, they may not recover, leading to unwanted effects on health and well-being.

If left untreated, WKS can cause irreversible brain damage in regions such as:^4,5

• Thalamus
• Hypothalamus
• Hippocampus
• Brain stem
• Cerebellum

Treatment for Alcoholism

Even though the risks from wet brain syndrome are significant, the grip of substance abuse, addiction, and dependence causes people to ignore their health and continue drinking. Therefore, those struggling with alcohol misuse may benefit from intensive mental health treatment to establish lasting recovery. The best treatment programs will explore ways to stay abstinent and prevent relapse.

Treatment options for alcohol use disorders include:⁶

Rehab

Professional mental health and substance use disorder rehabilitation helps individuals achieve their treatment goals. Rehab can occur in various locations and intensities. Inpatient options provide around-the-clock care from trained staff in a safe setting, while outpatient care allows the person to live at home with scheduled treatment sessions. The best rehab option will depend on the individual, their support, stressors, and symptoms.

Therapeutic Interventions

Regardless of the setting, individuals need effective therapeutic interventions to address their alcohol use. Fortunately, numerous therapy styles help address the issues that contribute to alcohol use disorders. Finding the right therapist for alcoholism may be done with an online therapist directory. Depending on your location, online therapy options may be the best starting point for receiving necessary support.

Therapy options for addressing the effects of alcoholism include:

• Cognitive behavioral therapy: CBT helps patients better understand the connections between their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. By looking into the triggers of alcohol use, a person can shift their reactions and responses to avoid alcohol.
• Motivational interviewing (MI): Sometimes called motivational enhancement therapy, motivational interviewing helps to build a person’s desire for change and develop skills to remain in recovery.
• Family or group therapy: Family and group therapy sessions can be helpful additions to one-on-one appointments for alcohol recovery.

Medication Options

In addition to therapy, medications may help reduce cravings for alcohol. There are several FDA-approved medications for alcohol use disorder, such as naltrexone (Vivitrol and Revia), acamprosate (Campral), and disulfiram (Antabuse). These medications can help lower cravings or limit the pleasant effects of alcohol consumption.

Final Thoughts

Knowing the signs and symptoms of wet brain can help you get treatment and make appropriate changes in your life before things get too serious. You may be surprised your experience is due to Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome, not alcohol intoxication. Symptoms are irreversible after a certain point, so seeking immediate support is essential.