Causes of Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome

List of causes of Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome

Following is a list of causes or underlying conditions (see also Misdiagnosis of underlying causes of Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome) that could possibly cause Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome includes:

• Alcoholism - and this causes malnutrition and thus thiamine deficiency
• Malnutrition
• Thiamine deficiency
• Severe vomiting during pregnancy
• Fluid only diet

Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome as a symptom:

Conditions listing Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome as a symptom may also be potential underlying causes of Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome. Our database lists the following as having Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome as a symptom of that condition:

• Thiamine deficiency

Related information on causes of Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome:

As with all medical conditions, there may be many causal factors. Further relevant information on causes of Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome may be found in:

• Genetics of Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome
• Hidden causes of Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome

Causes of Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome: Online Medical Books

16 MEDICAL BOOKS ONLINE! Review excerpts from medical books online, free, without registration, for more information about the causes of Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome.

Confusion: Medical causes
(Handbook of Signs & Symptoms (Third Edition))

Brain tumor.

In the early stages of a brain tumor, confusion is usually mild and difficult to detect. As the tumor impinges on cerebral structures, however, confusion worsens and the patient may exhibit personality changes, bizarre behavior, sensory and motor deficits, visual field deficits, and aphasia.

Cerebrovascular disorders.

 Cerebrovascular disorders produce confusion due to tissue hypoxia and ischemia. Confusion may be insidious and fleeting, as in a transient ischemic attack, or acute and permanent, as in a stroke.

Decreased cerebral perfusion.

 Mild confusion is an early symptom of decreased cerebral perfusion. Associated findings usually include hypotension, tachycardia or bradycardia, an irregular pulse, ventricular gallop, edema, and cyanosis.

Fluid and electrolyte imbalance.

The extent of imbalance determines the severity of the patient's confusion. Typically, he'll show signs of dehydration, such as lassitude, poor skin turgor, dry skin and mucous membranes, and oliguria. He may also develop hypotension and a low-grade fever.

Head trauma.

 Concussion, contusion, and brain hemorrhage may produce confusion at the time of injury, shortly afterward, or months or even years afterward. The patient may be delirious, with periodic loss of consciousness. Vomiting, a severe headache, pupillary changes, and sensory and motor deficits are also common.

Heatstroke.

 Heatstroke causes pronounced confusion that gradually worsens as the patient's body temperature rises. Initially, he may be irritable and dizzy; later, he may become delirious, have seizures, and lose consciousness.

Hypothermia.

 Confusion may be an early sign of hypothermia. Typically, the patient displays slurred speech, cold and pale skin, hyperactive deep tendon reflexes, a rapid pulse, and decreased blood pressure and respirations. As his body temperature continues to drop, his confusion progresses to stupor and coma, his muscles become rigid, and his respiratory rate decreases.

Hypoxemia.

Acute pulmonary disorders that result in hypoxemia produce confusion that can range from mild disorientation to delirium. Chronic pulmonary disorders produce persistent confusion.

Infection.

 Severe generalized infection, such as sepsis, typically produces delirium. Central nervous system (CNS) infections, such as meningitis, cause varying degrees of confusion along with a headache and nuchal rigidity.

Metabolic encephalopathy.

Hyperglycemia and hypoglycemia can produce sudden confusion. A patient with hypoglycemia may also experience transient delirium and seizures. Uremic and hepatic encephalopathies produce gradual confusion that may progress to seizures and coma. Usually, the patient also experiences tremors and restlessness.

Nutritional deficiencies.

Inadequate dietary intake of thiamine, niacin, or vitamin B₁₂ produces insidious, progressive confusion and possible mental deterioration.

Seizure disorders.

Mild to moderate confusion may immediately follow any type of seizure. The confusion usually disappears within several hours.

Other causes

Alcohol.

Intoxication causes confusion and stupor, and alcohol withdrawal may cause delirium and seizures.

Drugs.

Large doses of CNS depressants produce confusion that can persist for several days after the drug is discontinued. Opioid and barbiturate withdrawal also causes acute confusion, possibly with delirium. Other drugs that commonly cause confusion include lidocaine, a cardiac glycoside, indomethacin, cycloserine, chloroquine, atropine, and cimetidine.

HERB ALERT:Herbal remedies, such as St. John's wort, can cause confusion, especially when taken in conjunction with an antidepressant or other serotonergic drug.

» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »

Source: Handbook of Signs & Symptoms (Third Edition), 2006

Alcohol-related disorder: Causes and incidence
(Professional Guide to Diseases (Eighth Edition))

Numerous biological, psychological, and sociocultural factors appear to be involved in alcohol addiction. An offspring of one parent with alcohol-related disorder is seven to eight times more likely to become an alcoholic than is a peer without such a parent. Biological factors may include genetic or biochemical abnormalities, nutritional deficiencies, endocrine imbalances, and allergic responses.

Psychological factors may include the urge to drink alcohol to reduce anxiety or symptoms of mental illness; the desire to avoid responsibility in familial, social, and work relationships; and the need to bolster self-esteem.

Sociocultural factors include the availability of alcoholic beverages, group or peer pressure, an excessively stressful lifestyle, and social attitudes that approve of frequent drinking.

More than 15% of American adults have a problem with alcohol use, and about 5% to 10% of male and 3% to 5% of female drinkers are alcohol dependent, accounting for about 12.5 million people. Alcohol-related disorder cuts across all social and economic groups, involves both sexes, and occurs at all stages of the life cycle, beginning as early as elementary school.

» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »

Source: Professional Guide to Diseases (Eighth Edition), 2005

Alzheimer's disease: Causes and incidence
(Professional Guide to Diseases (Eighth Edition))

The cause of Alzheimer’s disease is unknown; however, several factors are thought to be implicated in this disease. These include neurochemical factors, such as deficiencies in the neurotransmitter acetylcholine, somatostatin, substance P, and norepinephrine; environmental factors; and genetic immunologic factors. Genetic studies show that an autosomal dominant form of Alzheimer’s disease is associated with early onset and early death, accounting for about 100,000 deaths a year. A family history of Alzheimer’s disease and the presence of Down syndrome are two established risk factors.Alzheimer’s disease isn’t exclusive to the elder population; its onset begins in middle age in 1% to 10% of cases

The brain tissue of patients with Alzhei-mer’s disease has three hallmark features: neurofibrillary tangles, neuritic plaques, and granulovascular degeneration. Examination of the brain after death also finds that it’s atrophic, commonly weighing less than 1,000 g, compared with a normal brain weight of about 1,380 g.

About 360,000new cases of Alzheimer’s are diagnosed each year.

» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »

Source: Professional Guide to Diseases (Eighth Edition), 2005

Confusion: Medical causes
(Professional Guide to Signs & Symptoms (Fifth Edition))

Brain tumor

In the early stages of a brain tumor, confusion is usually mild and difficult to detect. As the tumor impinges on cerebral structures, however, confusion worsens and the patient may exhibit personality changes, bizarre behavior, sensory and motor deficits, visual field deficits, and aphasia.

Cerebrovascular disorders

These disorders produce confusion due to tissue hypoxia and ischemia. Confusion may be insidious and fleeting, as in a transient ischemic attack, or acute and permanent, as in a stroke.

Decreased cerebral perfusion

Mild confusion is an early symptom of decreased cerebral perfusion. Associated findings usually include hypotension, tachycardia or bradycardia, irregular pulse, ventricular gallop, edema, and cyanosis.

Fluid and electrolyte imbalance

The extent of the imbalance determines the severity of the patient’s confusion. Typically, he’ll show signs of dehydration, such as lassitude, poor skin turgor, dry skin and mucous membranes, and oliguria. He may also develop hypotension and a low-grade fever.

Head trauma

Concussion, contusion, and brain hemorrhage may produce confusion at the time of injury, shortly afterward, or months or even years afterward. The patient may be delirious, with periodic loss of consciousness. Vomiting, severe headache, pupillary changes, and sensory and motor deficits are also common.

Heatstroke

This disorder causes pronounced confusion that gradually worsens as body temperature rises. Initially, the patient may be irritable and dizzy; later, he may become delirious, have seizures, and lose consciousness.

Hypothermia

Confusion may be an early sign of this disorder. Typically, the patient displays slurred speech, cold and pale skin, hyperactive deep tendon reflexes, rapid pulse, and decreased blood pressure and respiratory rate. As his body temperature continues to drop, his confusion progresses to stupor and coma, his muscles become rigid, and his respiratory rate decreases.

Hypoxemia

Acute pulmonary disorders that result in hypoxemia produce confusion that can range from mild disorientation to delirium. Chronic pulmonary disorders produce persistent confusion.

Infection

A severe generalized infection, such as sepsis, commonly produces delirium. Central nervous system (CNS) infections, such as meningitis, cause varying degrees of confusion along with headache and nuchal rigidity.

Metabolic encephalopathy

Both hyperglycemia and hypoglycemia can produce sudden confusion. A patient with hypoglycemia may also experience transient delirium and seizures. Uremic and hepatic encephalopathies produce gradual confusion that may progress to seizures and coma. Usually, the patient also experiences tremors and restlessness.

Nutritional deficiencies

Inadequate dietary intake of thiamine, niacin, or vitamin B₁₂ produces insidious, progressive confusion and possibly mental deterioration.

Seizure disorders

Mild to moderate confusion may immediately follow any type of seizure. The confusion usually disappears within several hours.

Thyroid hormone disorders

Hyperthyroidism produces mild to moderate confusion along with nervousness, inability to concentrate, weight loss, flushed skin, and tachycardia. Hypothyroidism produces mild, insidious confusion and memory loss; weight gain; bradycardia; and fatigue.

Other causes

Alcohol

Intoxication causes confusion and stupor, and alcohol withdrawal may cause delirium and seizures.

Drugs

Large doses of CNS depressants produce confusion that can persist for several days after the drug is discontinued. Opioid and barbiturate withdrawal also causes acute confusion, possibly with delirium. Other drugs that commonly cause confusion include lidocaine, cardiac glycosides, indomethacin, cycloserine, chloroquine, atropine, and cimetidine.

Heavy metal poisoning

Chronic ingestion or inhalation of heavy metals (such as lead, arsenic, mercury, and manganese) eventually produces confusion and, typically, weakness and drowsiness. The patient may also experience headache, vomiting, seizures, tremors, gait disturbances, and mental deterioration.

Herb Alert

» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »

Source: Professional Guide to Signs & Symptoms (Fifth Edition), 2006

Alcoholism: Causes
(Handbook of Diseases)

Numerous biological, psychological, and sociocultural factors appear to be involved in alcohol addiction. An offspring of one alcoholic parent is seven to eight times more likely to become an alcoholic than is a peer without an alcoholic parent. Biological factors include genetic and biochemical abnormalities, nutritional deficiencies, endocrine imbalances, and allergic responses.

Psychological factors include the urge to drink alcohol to reduce anxiety or symptoms of mental illness; the desire to avoid responsibility in family, social, and work relationships; and the need to bolster self-esteem.

Sociocultural factors include the availability of alcoholic beverages, peer pressure, an excessively stressful lifestyle, and social attitudes that approve of frequent drinking.

» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »

Source: Handbook of Diseases, 2003

Alzheimer's disease: Causes
(Handbook of Diseases)

Several factors contribute to the progression of Alzheimer’s disease. They include neurochemical factors, such as deficiencies in acetylcholine (a neurotransmitter), somatostatin, substance P, and norepinephrine; environmental factors, such as aluminum and manganese; viral factors, such as slow-growing central nervous system viruses; trauma; and genetic immunologic factors.

The brain tissue of a patient with Alzheimer’s disease typically shows cortical atrophy, the hallmark features being neurofibrillary tangles, neuritic plaques, and granulovascular degeneration.

» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »

Source: Handbook of Diseases, 2003

Confusion: Medical causes
(Signs & Symptoms: A 2-in-1 Reference for Nurses)

Brain tumor

In the early stages of a brain tumor, confusion is usually mild and difficult to detect. As the tumor impinges on cerebral structures, however, confusion worsens and the patient may exhibit personality changes, bizarre behavior, sensory and motor deficits, visual field deficits, and aphasia.

Decreased cerebral perfusion

Mild confusion is an early symptom of decreased cerebral perfusion. Confusion may be insidious and fleeting, as in a transient ischemic attack, or acute and permanent, as in stroke. Associated findings usually include hypotension, tachycardia or bradycardia, irregular pulse, ventricular gallop, edema, and cyanosis.

Fluid and electrolyte imbalance

A fluid and electrolyte imbalance can cause confusion. The extent of imbalance determines the severity of the patient’s confusion. Typically, he’ll show signs of dehydration, such as lassitude, poor skin turgor, dry skin and mucous membranes, and oliguria. He may also develop hypotension and a low-grade fever.

Head trauma

Such head trauma as concussions, contusions, and brain hemorrhages may produce confusion at the time of injury, shortly afterward, or months or even years afterward. The patient may be delirious, with periodic loss of consciousness. Vomiting, severe headache, pupillary changes, and sensory and motor deficits are also common.

Heatstroke

Heatstroke causes pronounced confusion that gradually worsens as body temperature rises. Initially, the patient may be irritable and dizzy; later, he may become delirious, have seizures, and lose consciousness.

Heavy metal poisoning

Chronic ingestion or inhalation of heavy metals (such as lead, arsenic, mercury, and manganese) eventually produces confusion and, typically, weakness and drowsiness. The patient may also experience headache, vomiting, seizures, tremors, gait disturbances, and mental deterioration.

Hypothermia

Confusion may be an early sign of hypothermia. Typically, the patient displays slurred speech, cold and pale skin, hyperactive deep tendon reflexes, rapid pulse, and decreased blood pressure and respirations. As his body temperature continues to drop, his confusion progresses to stupor and coma, his muscles develop rigidity, and his respiratory rate decreases.

Hypoxemia

Acute pulmonary disorders that result in hypoxemia produce confusion that can range from mild disorientation to delirium. In advanced stages, chronic pulmonary disorders produce persistent confusion as well as severe dyspnea, disability, cor pulmonale, and severe respiratory failure.

Infection

Severe generalized infection, such as sepsis, commonly produces delirium. Central nervous system (CNS) infections such as meningitis cause varying degrees of confusion along with headache and nuchal rigidity.

Metabolic encephalopathy

Both hyperglycemia and hypoglycemia can produce sudden confusion. A patient with hypoglycemia may also experience transient delirium and seizures. Uremic and hepatic encephalopathies produce gradual confusion that may progress to seizures and coma. Usually, the patient also experiences tremors and restlessness.

Nutritional deficiencies

Inadequate dietary intake of thiamine, niacin, or vitamin B_12, which causes nutritional deficiencies, produces insidious, progressive confusion and possible mental deterioration. Associated CNS abnormalities may become severe enough to induce hallucinations and paranoia.

Seizure disorders

Mild to moderate confusion may immediately follow any type of seizure. The confusion usually disappears within several hours. The patient may have difficulty talking and may fall into deep sleep after the seizures.

Thyroid hormone disorders

Hyperthyroidism produces mild to moderate confusion along with nervousness, inability to concentrate, weight loss, flushed skin, and tachycardia. Hypothyroidism produces mild, insidious confusion and memory loss; weight gain; bradycardia; and fatigue.

Other causes

Alcohol

Intoxication causes confusion and stupor, and alcohol withdrawal may cause delirium and seizures.

Drugs

Large doses of CNS depressants produce confusion that can persist for several days after the drug is discontinued. Opioid and barbiturate withdrawal also causes acute confusion, possibly with delirium. Other drugs that commonly cause confusion include lidocaine, digoxin, indomethacin, cycloserine, chloroquine, atropine, and cimetidine.

» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »

Source: Signs & Symptoms: A 2-in-1 Reference for Nurses, 2007

Confusion: Medical causes
(Nursing: Interpreting Signs and Symptoms)

Brain tumor.In the early stages of a brain tumor, confusion is usually mild and difficult to detect. As the tumor impinges on cerebral structures, however, confusion worsens and the patient may exhibit personality changes, bizarre behavior, sensory and motor deficits, visual field deficits, and aphasia.

Cerebrovascular disorders.Cerebrovascular disorders produce confusion due to tissue hypoxia and ischemia. Confusion may be insidious and fleeting, as in a transient ischemic attack, or acute and permanent, as in a stroke.

Decreased cerebral perfusion.Mild confusion is an early symptom of decreased cerebral perfusion. Associated findings usually include hypotension, tachycardia or bradycardia, an irregular pulse, ventricular gallop, edema, and cyanosis.

Fluid and electrolyte imbalance.The extent and type of fluid and electrolyte imbalance determines the severity of the patient's confusion. Typically, he'll show signs of dehydration, such as lassitude, poor skin turgor, dry skin and mucous membranes, and oliguria. He may also develop hypotension and a low-grade fever.

Head trauma.Concussion, contusion, and brain hemorrhage may produce confusion at the time of injury, shortly afterward, or months or even years afterward. The patient may be delirious, with periodic loss of consciousness. Vomiting, a severe headache, pupillary changes, and sensory and motor deficits are also common.

Heatstroke.Heatstroke causes pronounced confusion that gradually worsens as the patient's body temperature rises. Initially, he may be irritable and dizzy; later, he may become delirious, have seizures, and lose consciousness.

Hypothermia.Confusion may be an early sign of hypothermia. Typically, the patient displays slurred speech, cold and pale skin, hyperactive deep tendon reflexes, a rapid pulse, and decreased blood pressure and respirations. As his body temperature continues to drop, his confusion progresses to stupor and coma, his muscles become rigid, and his respiratory rate decreases.

Hypoxemia.Acute pulmonary disorders that result in hypoxemia produce confusion that can range from mild disorientation to delirium. Chronic pulmonary disorders produce persistent confusion.

Infection.Severe generalized infection, such as sepsis, typically produces delirium. Central nervous system (CNS) infections, such as meningitis, cause varying degrees of confusion along with a headache and nuchal rigidity.

Metabolic encephalopathy.Hyperglycemia and hypoglycemia can produce sudden confusion. A patient with hypoglycemia may also experience transient delirium and seizures. Uremic and hepatic encephalopathies produce gradual confusion that may progress to seizures and coma. Usually, the patient also experiences tremors and restlessness.

Nutritional deficiencies.Inadequate dietary intake of thiamine, niacin, or vitamin B₁₂ produces insidious, progressive confusion and possible mental deterioration.

Seizure disorder.Mild to moderate confusion may immediately follow any type of seizure. The confusion usually disappears within several hours.

Other causes

Alcohol.Intoxication causes confusion and stupor, and alcohol withdrawal may cause delirium and seizures.

Drugs.Large doses of CNS depressants produce confusion that can persist for several days after the drug is discontinued. Opioid and barbiturate withdrawal also causes acute confusion, possibly with delirium. Other drugs that commonly cause confusion include lidocaine, a cardiac glycoside, indomethacin, cycloserine, chloroquine, atropine, cimetidine, and sleeping aids.

» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »

Source: Nursing: Interpreting Signs and Symptoms, 2007