The symptoms of beriberi vary depending on the type, wet or dry. The following are symptoms of wet beriberi:
shortness of breath during physical activity
rapid heart rate
swollen lower legs
waking up short of breath
The symptoms of dry beriberi are:
decreased muscle function, particularly in the lower legs
tingling or loss of feeling in the feet and hands
pain
mental confusion
difficulty speaking
vomiting
involuntary eye movement
paralysis
In extreme cases, the condition can cause Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome. This is a type of brain damage that causes mental confusion and memory loss. This condition occurs most often in cases of alcoholism.