Recent studies conducted by a group of neurologists at the Loyola University Medical Center have shown that a a shortage of Vitamin B1, also known as Thiamine, can lead to a lethal brain affliction that is known as the Wernicke encephalopathy. Some of the main symptoms of this disorder include hallucinations, double vision, involuntary eye movements, coma, confusion, impairment of the ability to control muscles and eye issues. If a person leaves this disorder untreated, the conditions can aggravate and it can also lead to brain damage and the ultimate death of a person.According to a report written by a group of Loyola University neurologists and published in the Scientific American Medicine Journal, Wernicke encephalopathy is a disease that usually occurs in people having disorders such as anorexia or alcoholism that ultimately lead to problems like malnourishment. Wernicke encephalopathy is actually a simple example of a rare disease known as encephalopathies. This disease is caused by toxic substances and metabolic disorders. Acute encephalopathy problems can have an effect within hours and they are commonly spurred by things like metabolic factors or toxic substances. An organized approach to the condition is extremely important in order to prevent permanent injuries because the severity can range from a simple state of confusion to a major comatose condition.Two of the most common symbols of metabolic and toxic diseases of the brain are changed senses and feelings. This altered state can vary from difficulty in spelling words in reverse order to mild attention problems to deep unconsciouness. The problems can also be brought about by reactions to prescription drugs, environmental toxins and illegal drugs. Wernicke encephalopathy is just one type of brain disease that can be caused by a shortage of nutritional eleements like inadequate amounts of Vitamin B1. Since the condition is extremely underdiagnosed, clinical studies have only shown an appearance of 0.13%. On the other hand, autopsy reports show a disease prevalence of as much as 2.8%.
The disease gets misrepresented or goes undiagnosedin 75 – 80% of the cases that suffer from AIDS or alcoholism. If the Wernicke encephalopathy disease is left untreated, it can also lead to a problem known as Korsakoff syndrome (KS), a problem that usually leads to the loss of the ability to make new memories and a huge loss of existing memories. Other symptoms of KS include confabulation, apathy and anxiety. It is believed that as many as 80% of the patients who suffer from Wernicke encephalopathy develop KS and only 20% of those patients are successfully treated.The best way of treating Wernicke encephalopathy is to offer immediate thiamine treatments with the help of IV or injections. If thiamine treatments are not offered within the right period of time, the problems can cause to irrevocable damage to the brain and resulting death. The Loyola University Medical Center neurologists state that Wernicke encephalopathy has a mortality rate of 20%.A simple thing like Vitamin B1 deficiency can lead to such complicated problems. Just imagine what an improper diet that doesn’t deliver the right vitamins and nutrients over a long period of time can do to your body.Source –
Loyola University Health System. “Not enough Vitamin B1 can cause brain damage”. ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily 11 September 2014. <www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/09/140911124504.htm>
