What is delirium tremens?
delirium tremens is a hallucinatory and misleading state often caused by stopping heavy daily drinking or during recovery from alcoholism. This may also happen when people quickly withdraw from the regular use of benzodiazepines such as Xanax® or Valium®. Delirium tremens can also produce suddenly from barbiturates such as phenobarbital. Delirium tremens usually occurs within one day after the last drink or dose of the medicine, but can occur several days after drinking. The condition, if not treated, may be fatal in approximately 30% of those who end heavy long -term drinking.
delirium tremens immediately affects the brain, causing it in high quantities to secrete several hormones such as GABA and serotonin to try to find a balance in a state of non -writing. These hormones can also reduce rapidly. Neurological effects cause confusion, great anxiety and takmetimes visual and auditory hallucinations. However, their primary dangerous effect is that the body responds to yields andMoving nerve chemicals by causing breathing problems, rapid heart rate and severe arrhythmia and unusually high blood pressure. One arrhythmia can cause death if it remains unaddressed.
Because most alcoholics are usually in poor health and may suffer from nutritional deficits and liver disease, the body has a particularly difficult adaptation of this condition, and this may increase mortality during treatment. The treatment of delirium tremens consists of administration of low dose sedatives, ironic perhaps for those who are dependent on benzodiazepines. Extreme emotional interference can also guarantee treatment with anti-psychotic drugs such as Haldol®. A person experiencing delirium tremens may be violent monitoring and medical attention without anti-psychotic.
delirium tremens is a medical emergency situation and its effects are the reason why chronic alcoholics should not try to access "cold turkey"to end drinking. With medical intervention, the rate of mortality from delirium tremens decreases to 5%. Most medical experts feel that recovery from alcoholism is best performed either in the hospital or in the center of alcohol treatment. Further participation in programs, such as alcoholics anonymous, is encouraged to support and maintain recovery.
Long -term use of benzodiazepine should never be terminated by stopping all benzodiazepines. Instead, most doctors feel that a gradually reduced amount of benzodiazepines is the best way to stop such use and can help people avoid delirium tremens. Under the guidance of a doctor or psychiatrist, the levels are gradually reduced, often in the neighborhoods of milligrams a week. Nargotics of anonymous and programs such as IT can provide support during the reduction process.