Overview

Causes

Encephalopathy has many causes. Some common ones are:

  • Infection
  • Head injury
  • Brain tumor
  • Poor nutrition
  • Exposure to toxins, including alcohol and drugs
  • Kidney failure
  • Liver failure
  • No oxygen or blood flow to the brain
Oxygen and Blood Flow to the Brain
oxygen brain lungs
Encephalopathy can happen when the brain does not get oxygen and blood.
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Risk Factors

Risk factors depend on the type of encephalopathy a person has. For example, alcohol use disorder can put a person at risk for Wernicke encephalopathy.

SymptomsandDiagnosis

Symptoms

The main symptom of encephalopathy is a change in mental state, such as:

  • Memory loss that happens quickly or over time
  • Lack of focus
  • Problems thinking
  • Confusion
  • Mood changes
  • Behavior changes

Other problems may be:

  • Being very tired
  • Muscle weakness and unsteadiness
  • Lack of muscle control, such as jerking or twitching
  • Shaking
  • Moving the eyes without control
  • Seizures

Diagnosis

The doctor will ask about symptoms and health history. A physical exam will be done.

These tests may be done to confirm the diagnosis and find the cause:

  • Blood tests
  • Lumbar puncture to test the fluid around the brain and spine
  • CT scan or MRI scan—to look for changes to the brain's structure
  • Electroencephalogram (EEG)—a test that records the brain’s electrical activity

Treatments

Treatment

The cause will need to be treated. This may be done with:

  • Medicine, such as antibiotics to treat infections
  • Diet changes
  • Dialysis to remove toxins from the blood
  • An organ transplant

Prevention

Many causes cannot be prevented. The risk of some causes may be lowered by:

  • Drinking alcohol in moderation
  • Eating a healthful diet that is rich in fruits and veggies
  • Not being around toxins

This content is reviewed regularly and is updated when new and relevant evidence is made available. This information is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with questions regarding a medical condition.

Edits to original content made by Denver Health.