Symptoms of Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome
Symptoms of Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome
The list of signs and symptoms mentioned in various sources
for Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome includes the 38
symptoms listed below:
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Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome: Complications
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Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome Symptoms: Book Excerpts
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Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome: Undiagnosed Conditions
Diseases that may be commonly undiagnosed in related medical areas:
Home Diagnostic Testing
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Wrongly Diagnosed with Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome?
The list of other diseases or medical conditions
that may be on the differential diagnosis list of alternative diagnoses
for Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome includes:
See the full list of 2
alternative diagnoses for Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome
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Other Possible Causes of these Symptoms
Click on any of the symptoms below to see a full list
of other causes including diseases, medical conditions, toxins, drug interactions,
or drug side effect causes of that symptom.
Medical Books Online about Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome
Medical Books Excerpts
Excerpts of published medical book chapters related to Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome
are available from published medical books
for more detailed information about Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome.
Medical Books Excerpts
- Confusion
- "Handbook of Signs & Symptoms (Third Edition)" (2006)
- [ read ]
- Confusion
- "Professional Guide to Signs & Symptoms (Fifth Edition)" (2006)
- [ read ]
- Confusion
- "The 10-Minute Diagnosis Manual: Symptoms and Signs in the Time-Limited Encounter" (2000)
- [ read ]
- Confusion
- "Signs & Symptoms: A 2-in-1 Reference for Nurses" (2007)
- [ read ]
- Confusion
- "Nursing: Interpreting Signs and Symptoms" (2007)
- [ read ]
Copyright notice for book excerpts: Copyright © 2008 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. All rights reserved.
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Patient Surveys for Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome
Symptoms 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 symptoms of Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome.
Alcohol-related disorder:
Signs and symptoms
(Professional Guide to Diseases (Eighth Edition))
Because the person with alcohol dependence may hide or deny his addiction, and may temporarily manage to maintain a functional life, assessing for alcohol-related disorder can be difficult. Note physical and psychosocial symptoms that suggest alcohol-related disorder. For example, the patient’s history may suggest a need for daily or episodic alcohol use to maintain adequate functioning, an inability to discontinue or reduce alcohol intake, episodes of anesthesia or amnesia (blackouts) during intoxication, episodes of violence during intoxication, and interference with social and familial relationships and occupational responsibilities. Many minor complaints may be alcohol-related. The patient may report malaise, dyspepsia, mood swings or depression, and an increased incidence of infection. Observe the patient for poor personal hygiene and untreated injuries, such as cigarette burns, fractures, and bruises, that he can’t fully explain. Note any evidence of an unusually high tolerance of sedatives and opioids.
Although each person abusing alcohol may present in his own unique way, secretive or manipulative behavior may be a manifestation of the patient’s denial of the severity of his addiction. Suspect alcohol-related disorder if the patient uses inordinate amounts of aftershave or mouthwash. When confronted, the patient may deny or rationalize the problem. Alternatively, he may be guarded or hostile in his response and may even sign out of the hospital against medical advice. He also may project his anger or feelings of guilt or inadequacy onto others to avoid confronting his illness.
Chronic alcohol abuse brings with it an array of physical complications, including malnutrition, cirrhosis of the liver, peripheral neuropathy, brain damage, and cardiomyopathy. Assess for these complications in a patient with alcohol-related disorder. (See Complications of alcohol use.)
After abstinence or reduction of alcohol intake, signs and symptoms of withdrawal — which begin shortly after drinking has stopped and last for 5 to 7 days — may vary. The patient initially experiences anorexia, nausea, anxiety, fever, insomnia, diaphoresis, and tremor, progressing to severe tremulousness, agitation and, possibly, hallucinations and violent behavior. Major motor seizures (alcohol withdrawal seizures) can occur during withdrawal. Suspect alcohol-related disorder in any patient with unexplained seizures. (See Signs and symptoms of alcohol withdrawal.)
ELDER TIP Remember to consider the possibility of alcohol abuse when evaluating older patients. Research suggests that alcoholism affects 2% to 10% of adults older than age 60. More than half of all elderly hospital admissions are due to alcohol-related problems.
» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »
Source: Professional Guide to Diseases (Eighth Edition), 2005
Alzheimer's disease:
Signs and symptoms
(Professional Guide to Diseases (Eighth Edition))
Onset is insidious. Initially, the patient undergoes almost imperceptible changes, such as forgetfulness, recent memory loss, difficulty learning and remembering new information, deterioration in personal hygiene and appearance, and an inability to concentrate. Gradually, tasks that require abstract thinking and activities that require judgment become more difficult. Progressive difficulty in communication and severe deterioration in memory, language, and motor function result in a loss of coordination and an inability to write or speak. Personality changes (restlessness, irritability) and nocturnal awakenings are common.
Patients also exhibit loss of eye contact, a fearful look, wringing of the hands, and other signs of anxiety. When a patient with Alzheimer’s disease is overwhelmed with anxiety, he becomes dysfunctional, acutely confused, agitated, compulsive, or fearful.
Eventually, the patient becomes disoriented, and emotional lability and physical and intellectual disability progress. The patient becomes susceptible to infection and accidents. Usually, death results from infection.
» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »
Source: Professional Guide to Diseases (Eighth Edition), 2005
Alcoholism:
Signs and symptoms
(Handbook of Diseases)
Because people with alcohol dependence may hide or deny their addiction and may temporarily manage to maintain a functional life, assessing a patient for alcoholism can be difficult. However, there are various physical and psychosocial symptoms that can facilitate assessment.
The patient’s history may suggest a need for daily or episodic alcohol use to maintain adequate functioning, an inability to discontinue or reduce alcohol intake, episodes of anesthesia or amnesia (blackouts) during intoxication, episodes of violence during intoxication, or interference with social and familial relationships and occupational responsibilities.
Many minor complaints that the patient may have may also be alcohol related. He may mention malaise, dyspepsia, mood swings, depression, or more infections. Note any evidence of an unusually high tolerance for sedatives and narcotics.
Secretive behavior is another indication. When confronted, the patient may deny or rationalize his problem with alcohol. Alternatively, he may be guarded or hostile in his response. He also may project his anger or feelings of guilt or inadequacy onto others to avoid confronting his illness.
With chronic alcohol abuse, the patient may experience malnutrition, cirrhosis of the liver, peripheral neuropathy, brain damage, or cardiomyopathy.
After abstaining from alcohol or significantly reducing his intake, the patient may experience signs and symptoms of withdrawal, and they may last for 5 to 7 days. The patient initially experiences anorexia, nausea, anxiety, fever, insomnia, diaphoresis, and tremor, progressing to severe tremulousness, agitation and, possibly, hallucinations and violent behavior. Major tonic-clonic seizures (known as rum fits) can occur during withdrawal. Suspect alcoholism in any patient with unexplained seizures.
» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »
Source: Handbook of Diseases, 2003
Alzheimer's disease:
Signs and symptoms
(Handbook of Diseases)
Onset is insidious. Initially, the patient experiences almost imperceptible changes, such as forgetfulness, recent memory loss, difficulty learning and remembering new information, deterioration in personal hygiene and appearance, and an inability to concentrate. Gradually, tasks that require abstract thinking and activities that require judgment become more difficult. Progressive and severe deterioration in memory, language, and motor function results in a loss of coordination and an inability to write or speak.
Personality changes (restlessness, irritability) and nocturnal awakenings are common. Eventually, the patient becomes disoriented, and emotional lability and physical and intellectual disability progress. The patient becomes more susceptible to infection and accidents. Secondary to loss of the cough reflex, pulmonary diseases such as pneumonia may result in death.
» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »
Source: Handbook of Diseases, 2003
Medical articles and books on symptoms:
These general reference articles may be of interest
in relation to medical signs and symptoms of disease in general:
Full list of premium articles on symptoms and diagnosis
About signs and symptoms of Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome:
The symptom information on this page
attempts to provide a list of some possible signs and symptoms of Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome.
This signs and symptoms information for Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome has been gathered from various sources,
may not be fully accurate,
and may not be the full list of Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome signs or Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome symptoms.
Furthermore, signs and symptoms of Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome may vary on an individual basis for each patient.
Only your doctor can provide adequate diagnosis of any signs or symptoms and whether they
are indeed Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome symptoms.
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» Next page: Diagnostic Tests for Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome
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