Korsakoff syndrome is a serious brain disorder that’s linked to long-term alcohol use. This condition affects 2% of the worldwide population. Even though brain health is not vastly talked about, it is still as important as any other body health.
The brain needs certain nutrients to thrive, one of which is thiamine.
When the brain doesn’t get enough thiamine, it becomes really tough to remember things and think. Because of that, people with this condition end up struggling to remember things or make new memories. In this article, we are going to be talking about the symptoms and causes of Korsakoff syndrome.
Symptoms of Korsakoff Syndrome
Once a person has Korsakoff syndrome they go through a series of symptoms that mostly affect their memory and the way they think.
- Having a hard time remembering information and forgetting things from the past.
- You begin to fill in memory gaps with made up stories.
- You have a hard time paying attention or even solving problems.
- Your hands or body may begin to tremble.
- Sometimes, your eyes might begin to move in unusual ways.
What Causes Korsakoff Syndrome?
Thiamine deficiency: Thiamine also known as vitamin B1, helps turn food into energy and keeps your brain working well. If your body doesn’t get enough thiamine, your brain finds it difficult to produce the energy it needs. This shortage of vitamin can affect the mamillary bodies and the thalamus, which are the areas of the brain responsible for memory formation and retrieval.
Chronic alcohol abuse: Drinking heavily over a long time is the most common cause of thiamine deficiency. When you take alcohol, it can damage your stomach lining, making it even harder for the body to get the thiamine it needs.
Malnutrition: If someone isn’t eating enough nutritious food, especially foods rich in thiamine, they can develop Korsakoff syndrome over time. This is so for people who have problems with eating food, and those that don’t have access to healthy food.
Eating disorders: Eating disorders can simply be described an abnormal eating patterns, like anorexia or bulimia. Having an abnormal eating habit is related to having certain thoughts surrounding food, weight, and body image. It could be that you’re afraid of eating certain foods, or afraid to gain weight. Whatever the case may be, eating disorder can lead to poor nutrition, and make it hard for the body to get the vitamins it needs.
Bottom Line
Korsakoff syndrome is a serious brain disorder mostly caused by long-term heavy drinking and not getting enough vitamin B1. It affects your memory, making it hard to remember things or learn new stuff.
