Korsakoff's Amnestic Syndrome and Alcohol Addiction
First of all, it should be noted that amnestic syndrome or Korsakoff's psychosis affects a significant portion of people suffering from alcohol addiction. Psychosis and delusions after alcohol arise as a result of long-term consumption of alcoholic beverages and is a fairly common phenomenon. Chronic alcohol consumption causes a range of negative effects of alcoholism. Among other things, its consumption prevents the proper absorption of thiamine, i.e., vitamin B1 in the body, the deficiency of which causes Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome. An adequate level of vitamin B1 in the body is extremely important because it is responsible for the proper functioning of many organs. You will learn about the effects of thiamine deficiency and symptoms of Korsakoff's syndrome below.Korsakoff's Syndrome – Symptoms of Wernicke-Korsakoff Syndrome
Korsakoff's syndrome is often also called Korsakoff's psychosis or Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome because it combines Korsakoff's syndrome and Wernicke's encephalopathy. The combination of both diseases causes dual symptoms: neurological and psychiatric.How to Recognize Korsakoff's Psychosis?
The first category of symptoms (neurological symptoms) includes conditions noticeable even with the naked eye. The patient is distinguished by movement problems – stiff limbs, balance disorders, lack of movement control, and coordination disorders. Sensory disorders, convulsions, and excessive agitation also appear. The syndrome or Korsakoff's psychosis also impairs the visual organ. Patients develop nystagmus (involuntary eyeball movements), pupil inequality, and lack of response to stimuli such as light. A drooping upper eyelid or skin changes and reddening of mucous membranes can also be observed.Mental Symptoms of Korsakoff's Disease
Korsakoff's disease, or as it is often called – Korsakoff's psychosis – includes a significant portion of mental symptoms. The patient loses the ability to speak coherently and has difficulty establishing events and their chronology. However, the most noticeable symptom of Korsakoff's syndrome is serious short-term memory disorders and limited ability to remember. A person suffering from Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome has enormous difficulty recalling previous events. They often remember situations from times before the onset of Korsakoff's disease, but these memories are chaotic, unordered, and devoid of mutual relationship. The inability to recall previous events leads to the formation of memory gaps. To maintain the impression of order and control of the situation, the patient resorts to confabulations. In panic, they create fabricated stories designed to fill the void in memory. This confusion in one's own thoughts influences the classification of Korsakoff's syndrome as a psychosis. The patient has serious consciousness disorders – loses the sense of time and cannot think conceptually – sees only a certain part of reality and creates solutions only based on it.Lack of Short-Term Memory as a Problem for Alcoholics
It is worth noting that the lack of abstract thinking significantly hinders recovery from alcoholism. Having lost the ability for such thinking, the patient does not notice other possible solutions to a given situation and focuses only on temporary solutions – they solve the problem of alcohol need by ensuring access to it, not noticing the abstract thought, i.e., the possibility of getting out of addiction, finding help, and starting a new, happier life without addiction and without Korsakoff's syndrome. No less serious are the patient's problems with maintaining short-term memory. Short-term memory, i.e., current memory, is responsible for storing information learned in a short time. It is extremely important because it is also responsible for long-term memory, which forms a person's identity. The disruption of current memory in alcoholics affects difficulties in understanding such basic phenomena as conversation – the patient is unable to encode in short-term memory long, multiply complex sentences through which communication between people is possible. This disorder additionally affects the frequent alienation of the alcoholic and confirms the stigma weighing on addicted people and their gradual exclusion from society.Causes of Korsakoff's Syndrome
Korsakoff's syndrome occurs due to vitamin B1 deficiency in the body, which causes serious mental disorders. Very often Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome develops through alcohol abuse and eating disorders. Sometimes people after a stroke or brain tumor have to face Korsakoff's syndrome.Treatment of Korsakoff's Syndrome
Are you wondering how the treatment of Korsakoff's psychosis proceeds and whether it can lead to complete recovery? The disease itself can be overcome, however, Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome causes irreversible brain changes, which is why the fastest possible diagnosis and complete abstinence are so important to prevent irreversible brain damage. The treatment of Korsakoff's disease is based on two procedures: strong vitamin B1 supplementation and treatment with agents called clonidine and propranolol. It is also worth noting that to recover, the patient must undertake the fight against alcoholism and permanently give up alcohol.Treatment of the Disease with Vitamin B1
Treatment takes place in the hospital. First, vitamin therapy is chosen. Vitamin B1 is administered to the patient intravenously and in high concentration to facilitate its absorption. In the next stage, the occurrence of which depends on the patient's condition, doctors decide to administer clonidine and propranolol. The success of the treatment depends on the patient's condition. The disease will continue to progress along with the continuation of alcohol consumption by the addicted person, which is why attempting to quit drinking is so important. When combating Korsakoff's amnestic syndrome, it is recommended to undertake psychotherapy, which will strengthen the mental state of the addicted person. Only sobriety and taking vitamin B1 can partially cure Korsakoff's disease. To prevent unpleasant effects of the syndrome, at the stage preceding treatment in the hospital, products containing vitamin B1 can also be included in the patient's diet.Korsakoff's Syndrome – Summary
Korsakoff's syndrome is a very serious condition that leaves permanent changes in the patient's brain. The disease can be stopped, but it is impossible to cure its consequences, which is why early action is so important. In the case of addicted people, getting out of addiction should be the first thing. Psychotherapy combined with vitamin B1 therapy can help with this. One should also not forget how important prevention is, in which vitamin drips offered by Nasz Gabinet can help, for example.:::cta Need help fighting addiction? Our specialists are ready to help you. Call or book an online appointment. Call: 880 808 880 | Book Appointment :::
