What are the clinical manifestations of alcoholic encephalopathy

Many people do not know much about alcoholic encephalopathy. In fact, this disease is not uncommon in life. It usually manifests itself in problems such as intellectual impairment, personality changes, memory impairment, or affecting the ability to take care of oneself. For these patients, more attention should be paid to prevention and care.

(1) Wernicke encephalopathy: On the basis of long-term drinking, a sudden onset of delirium, drowsiness, muscle twitching or eye paralysis, decerebrate rigidity or coma occurs after a single excessive drinking. After waking up, it may turn into the following two syndromes.

(2) Korsakov psychosis: Slow onset, mainly characterized by memory impairment, accompanied by confabulation or paraconstruction, disorientation, and possible emotional and motor slowness. Polyneuritis of varying degrees may occur, and examination may reveal limb sensory impairment, muscle atrophy, weakened or absent tendon reflexes, and paralysis in severe cases.

(3) Chronic alcoholic dementia: Slow onset, severe personality changes, memory loss and intellectual disability; social function and ability to take care of oneself decline or disappear. The electroencephalogram may show low-amplitude slow waves; brain CT shows enlarged ventricles and significant atrophy of the cerebral cortex, especially the temporal lobe.

Care:

1. Follow the general nursing routine of psychiatry and neurology.

2. For patients who cannot take care of themselves, provide enhanced care and protection to prevent exhaustion and falls. Cooperate with the doctor in psychotherapy, patiently guide and help patients to train their life and social adaptability.