What causes Wernicke’s encephalopathy?
Wernicke’s encephalopathy is caused by a lack of thiamine (vitamin B1). Many heavy drinkers don’t eat properly because alcohol takes the place of food. When they do eat they can have difficulty absorbing nutrients because their stomach or liver may be damaged. This can lead to malnutrition and vitamin deficiencies.The body uses thiamine to form part of the structure of blood vessels, including those in the brain. Without it they begin to leak. The main symptoms of Wernicke’s encephalopathy (confusion, drowsiness etc) occur when blood is leaking out of the capillaries in and around the parts of the brain that form new memories and the parts that control muscle co-ordination. If the leaking continues the patient will probably become unconscious, the leaked blood then clots and as it solidifies damages the brain tissue around it. Alcohol and thiamine deficiency Heavy drinking can cause gastritis which is an inflammation of the stomach. If someone has gastritis they will often vomit up foo
