Impact of various types of encephalopathy on brain function. The first symptoms to pay attention to

Encephalopathy is a group of conditions that cause brain dysfunction, causing confusion, memory loss, personality changes and severe coma. Causes include infections, toxins, and underlying conditions.

Untreated encephalopathy can be life-threatening or lead to permanent brain damage. If you notice symptoms, contact a doctor immediately, especially if you or a loved one is experiencing feelings of disconnection.

The main categories of encephalopathy

Chronic traumatic encephalopathy

Trauma or multiple brain injuries can lead to this type of encephalopathy. Brain nerves are affected by these head injuries. It is usually seen in athletes who have been through head trauma, such as boxers, football players or military personnel.

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Glycine encephalopathy

Glycine encephalopathy is a hereditary condition characterized by excessively high amounts of the amino acid glycine in the brain. Glycine encephalopathy usually occurs in newborns shortly after birth.

Hashimoto’s encephalopathy

This is a less common type of encephalopathy associated with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, an autoimmune disease. When you have Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, your thyroid gland is mistakenly attacked by your immune system. Numerous hormones that regulate our body are produced by the thyroid gland. The exact relationship between the two states is still unknown to scientists.

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Photo: Freepik @Iftikhar Alam

Hepatic encephalopathy

Hepatic encephalopathy is a condition caused by liver disease. Poisons that the liver normally removes from the body accumulate in the blood and eventually reach the brain when it is not working properly.

Hypertensive encephalopathy

Too long without treatment for extremely high blood pressure can lead to hypertensive encephalopathy. This can lead to hypertensive encephalopathy and brain damage by enlarging the brain, according to HealthDirect.

Hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy

This condition is a type of brain injury caused by insufficient oxygenation of the brain. Permanent brain damage or dysfunction can result from this. This can result from a lack of oxygen reaching the brain, as happens when an unborn baby is exposed to alcohol while still in the womb.

Toxic-metabolic encephalopathy

Causes of toxic-metabolic encephalopathy include organ failure, infections, and poisons. The brain can be affected when hormones, electrolytes or other substances in the body are not in their proper balance. This may also imply that the body is infected or that dangerous substances are present. When the offending virus or toxin is eliminated or when the underlying chemical imbalance is corrected, the encephalopathy usually disappears.

Infectious encephalopathies

Another name for transmissible spongiform encephalopathies is prion disorders. Natural proteins found in the body, called prions, have the ability to mutate and cause disorders known as neurodegenerative diseases, which cause progressive brain damage.

Uremic encephalopathy

Uremic encephalopathy is a result of kidney failure. It is believed to be caused by the accumulation of uremic toxins in the blood. This condition can cause anything from mild confusion to deep coma.

Wernicke encephalopathy

Also known as Wernicke’s disease, this condition is the result of vitamin B-1 deficiency. Long-term alcoholism, poor nutritional intake, and poor absorption of food can cause a vitamin B-1 deficiency. If Wernicke encephalopathy is not treated quickly, it can lead to Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome.

symptom

Encephalopathy is a condition that changes the way we think and feel, leading to changes in behavior and mood. Symptoms include confusion, disorientation, memory loss, drowsiness, restlessness, loss of motivation, depression, hallucinations, involuntary muscle movements, seizures, difficulty breathing, and loss of consciousness. Severe cases can lead to coma.

Effusion is a condition characterized by symptoms that occur due to various factors, including brain infections, brain tumors, intracranial pressure, head injury, stroke, seizures, vitamin deficiency or malnutrition, and autoimmune or mitochondrial disorders. The cause may not always be clear in all cases.

Encephalopathy affects people of all ages, but is more common in people over 65, people who have had a difficult birth, had a head injury, have multiple medical conditions, take multiple medications, or have substance use disorders. substances or exposure to chemicals.

Treatment

Treatment may involve medication for symptoms and surgery for underlying causes. Doctors may recommend nutritional supplements or a special diet to slow brain damage. In severe cases, such as when the brain is deprived of oxygen, a coma may occur and it may be necessary to connect to machines to keep the patient alive.

Having said that, encephalopathy represents a broad spectrum of brain disorders with multiple causes and manifestations. It is essential to pay attention to symptoms and seek immediate medical attention for proper diagnosis and treatment, given the severity and complexity of this condition. A deep understanding of the triggers and categories of encephalopathy can help prevent complications and improve the quality of life of affected patients.

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