Delirium tremens

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Obesity, Sleep & Internal medicine
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Delirium tremens
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Synonyms	N/A
Pronounce	N/A
Specialty	N/A
Symptoms	Tremors, confusion, hallucinations, seizures, agitation
Complications	Cardiac arrhythmia, seizures, death
Onset	2–3 days after alcohol withdrawal
Duration	2–3 days
Types
Causes	Alcohol withdrawal
Risks	Chronic alcohol use, history of delirium tremens, severe alcohol withdrawal
Diagnosis	Clinical diagnosis
Differential diagnosis	Sepsis, meningitis, encephalitis, Wernicke's encephalopathy, psychosis
Prevention	Benzodiazepines, thiamine
Treatment	Benzodiazepines, antipsychotics, supportive care
Medication	Diazepam, lorazepam, haloperidol
Prognosis	Good with treatment, but can be fatal if untreated
Frequency	1–4% of patients with alcohol withdrawal
Deaths	N/A

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Pink elephants hallucination

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Delirium tremens in Palm Springs

Delirium Tremens is a severe form of alcohol withdrawal that involves sudden and severe mental or nervous system changes.

Symptoms

Delirium tremens can occur when you stop drinking alcohol after a period of heavy drinking, especially if you do not eat enough food. Delirium tremens may also be caused by head injury, infection, or illness in people with a history of heavy alcohol use. Symptoms most often occur within 48 to 96 hours after the last drink. But, they can occur 7 to 10 days after the last drink. Symptoms may get worse quickly, and can include:

• Body tremors
• Changes in mental function
• Agitation, irritability
• Deep sleep that lasts for a day or longer
• Delirium
• Excitement
• Fear
• Hallucinations
• Increased activity
• Quick mood changes
• Restlessness, excitement
• Sensitivity to light, sound, touch
• Stupor, sleepiness, fatigue

Treatment

Hospitalization is needed to treat delirium tremens due to the chance of severe and life-threatening side effects such as cardiac arrhythmias, seizures, severe dehydration, and hallucinations. The goal of treatment is to control symptoms, prevent complications and therapy to help you stop drinking alcohol.

Prognosis

Delirium tremens is a medical emergency. It requires immediate treatment, which can significantly improve the outcome. Death can occur without treatment, and even with treatment may still occur.

Prevention

The best way to prevent delirium tremens is to limit alcohol intake. It is also important to consume a balanced diet with adequate dietary intake of thiamine.

See also

• Alcoholism
• Alcohol withdrawal syndrome
• Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome