In this Article

• What is encephalopathy?
• What causes encephalopathy?
• What are the symptoms of encephalopathy?
• How is encephalopathy diagnosed?
• What is the treatment for encephalopathy?
• What are the complications of encephalopathy?
• What is the prognosis (outlook) for encephalopathy?
• Can encephalopathy be prevented?
• Encephalopathy At A Glance
• For more information on types of encephalopathy
• Patient Discussions: Encephalopathy: Type of Encephalopathy
• Encephalopathy Glossary
• Encephalopathy Index

Encephalopathy At A Glance

• Encephalopathy is a general term that means brain disease, damage, or malfunction.
  
  
• The major symptom of encephalopathy is an altered mental state.
  
  
• The causes of encephalopathy are numerous and varied; they include infections, anoxia, metabolic problems, toxins, drugs, physiologic changes, trauma, and other causes.
  
  
• Encephalopathy is often considered a complication of a primary problem such as alcoholic cirrhosis, kidney failure, or anoxia.
  
  
• Early treatment of many types of encephalopathy can eliminate, reduce, or halt the symptoms of encephalopathy.
  
  
• Often, cases of encephalopathy can be prevented by avoiding the many primary causes.

For more information on types of encephalopathy

• Wernicke Encephalopathy
  
  
• Hepatic Encephalopathy
  
  
• Hypertensive Encephalopathy
  
  
• Mad Cow Disease
  
  
• Kidney Failure
  
  
• Confusional States and Acute Memory Disorders
  
  
• EEG in Dementia and Encephalopathy

Encephalopathy: Type of Encephalopathy

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