Lifestyle & Chronic Conditions
Wernicke's encephalopathy
Emergency
ICD-10: E51 · NIH NLM
हिंदी: वर्निक रोग · தமிழ்: வெர்னிக்கே மூளை நோய் · ಕನ್ನಡ: ವೆರ್ನಿಕೆ ಮೆದುಳು ಕಾಯಿಲೆ · తెలుగు: వెర్నికే మెదడు వ్యాధి · বাংলা: ওয়ের্নিকে মস্তিষ্ক রোগ · मराठी: वर्निक मेंदू रोग · ગુજરાતી: વર્નિક મગજ રોગ
About this condition
Wernicke's encephalopathy is a serious brain disorder caused by severe thiamine (vitamin B1) deficiency, often seen in people with chronic alcohol use or severe malnutrition. It causes confusion, vision problems, and difficulty walking, and can progress to permanent brain damage if not treated urgently. Immediate medical attention with thiamine replacement is critical to prevent irreversible complications.
Common symptoms
confusion
vision problems
unsteady walking
memory loss
eye movement problems
difficulty balancing
When to see a doctor: immediately - this is a medical emergency
This condition in Indian languages
| Hindi (हिंदी) | वर्निक रोग · विटामिन बी1 की कमी · शराब से मस्तिष्क रोग · याददाश्त की समस्या |
| Tamil (தமிழ்) | வெர்னிக்கே மூளை நோய் · வைட்டமின் பி1 குறைபாடு · மதுவால் மூளை பாதிப்பு · நினைவாற்றல் குறைபாடு |
| Kannada (ಕನ್ನಡ) | ವೆರ್ನಿಕೆ ಮೆದುಳು ಕಾಯಿಲೆ · ವಿಟಮಿನ್ ಬಿ1 ಕೊರತೆ · ಮದ್ಯದಿಂದ ಮೆದುಳು ಹಾನಿ · ನೆನಪಿನ ಸಮಸ್ಯೆ |
| Telugu (తెలుగు) | వెర్నికే మెదడు వ్యాధి · విటమిన్ బి1 లోపం · మద్యం వల్ల మెదడు నష్టం · జ్ఞాపకశక్తి సమస్య |
| Bengali (বাংলা) | ওয়ের্নিকে মস্তিষ্ক রোগ · ভিটামিন বি১ এর অভাব · মদ্যপানে মস্তিষ্কের ক্ষতি · স্মৃতিশক্তির সমস্যা |
| Marathi (मराठी) | वर्निक मेंदू रोग · व्हिटॅमिन बी1 कमतरता · दारूमुळे मेंदूला इजा · स्मरणशक्ती समस्या |
| Gujarati (ગુજરાતી) | વર્નિક મગજ રોગ · વિટામિન બી1 ની ઉણપ · દારૂથી મગજને નુકસાન · યાદશક્તિની સમસ્યા |
Frequently asked questions
What are the symptoms of Wernicke's encephalopathy?
confusion, vision problems, unsteady walking, memory loss, eye movement problems, difficulty balancing.
When should I see a doctor?
immediately - this is a medical emergency
Is Wernicke's encephalopathy common in India?
This condition is seen across India.
How serious is Wernicke's encephalopathy?
Severity is classified as Emergency. immediately - this is a medical emergency.
Related conditions
Important: This information is for general awareness only and is
not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always consult a qualified doctor.
In an emergency, call 112.
Data sourced from NIH NLM
and MOHFW India.
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