Delirium tremens: Difference between revisions
From WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia
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{{Infobox medical condition | |||
| name = Delirium tremens | |||
| image = [[File:An_alcoholic_man_with_delirium_Wellcome_L0060780_(level_correction).jpg|250px]] | |||
| caption = An alcoholic man with delirium tremens | |||
| field = [[Psychiatry]], [[Toxicology]] | |||
| 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 = [[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 | |||
}} | |||
[[File:PinkElephantsDTs.png|Pink elephants hallucination|thumb|left]] | |||
[[File:DT_in_Palm_Springs.jpg|Delirium tremens in Palm Springs|thumb|left]] | |||
'''Delirium Tremens''' is a severe form of [[alcohol withdrawal]] that involves sudden and severe mental or nervous system changes. | '''Delirium Tremens''' is a severe form of [[alcohol withdrawal]] that involves sudden and severe mental or nervous system changes. | ||
== Symptoms == | == 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. | 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: | 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]] | * [[Body tremors]] | ||
| Line 18: | Line 40: | ||
* Sensitivity to light, sound, touch | * Sensitivity to light, sound, touch | ||
* Stupor, sleepiness, fatigue | * Stupor, sleepiness, fatigue | ||
== Treatment == | == 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. | 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 == | == 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. | 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 == | == 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. | 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 == | == See also == | ||
* [[Alcoholism]] | * [[Alcoholism]] | ||
* [[Alcohol withdrawal syndrome]] | * [[Alcohol withdrawal syndrome]] | ||
* [[Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome]] | * [[Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome]] | ||
[[Category:Alcohol abuse]] | [[Category:Alcohol abuse]] | ||
[[Category:Psychiatric diagnosis]] | [[Category:Psychiatric diagnosis]] | ||
[[Category:Emergency medical conditions]] | [[Category:Emergency medical conditions]] | ||
{{Medicine-stub}} | {{Medicine-stub}} | ||
Latest revision as of 18:39, 5 April 2025
Editor-In-Chief: Prab R Tumpati, MD
Obesity, Sleep & Internal medicine
Founder, WikiMD Wellnesspedia &
W8MD medical weight loss NYC and sleep center NYC
| Delirium tremens | |
|---|---|
.jpg)
| |
| 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 |
Delirium Tremens is a severe form of alcohol withdrawal that involves sudden and severe mental or nervous system changes.
Symptoms[edit]
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[edit]
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[edit]
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[edit]
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[edit]
