” ‘Encephalopathy’ means damage or disease that affects the brain. It happens when there’s been a change in the way your brain works or a change in your body that affects your brain. Those changes lead to an altered mental state, leaving you confused and not acting like you usually do. Encephalopathy is not a single disease but a group of disorders with several causes. It’s a serious health problem that, without treatment, it can cause temporary or permanent brain damage.”

Web M.D.