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delirium tremens |
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delirium /de·lir·i·um/ (dĕ-lēr´e-um) pl. deli´ria a mental disturbance of relatively short duration usually reflecting a toxic state, marked by illusions, hallucinations, delusions, excitement, restlessness, impaired memory, and incoherence. alcohol withdrawal delirium that caused by cessation or reduction in alcohol consumption, typically in alcoholics with many years of heavy drinking, characterized by autonomic hyperactivity, such as tachycardia, sweating, and hypertension, a coarse, irregular tremor, and delusions, vivid hallucinations, and wild, agitated behavior. delirium tre´mens alcohol withdrawal d.
Delirium tremens A complication that may accompany alcohol withdrawal. The symptoms include body shaking (tremulousness), insomnia, agitation, confusion, hearing voices or seeing images that are not really there (hallucinations), seizures, rapid heart beat, profuse sweating, high blood pressure, and fever. Mentioned in: Alcohol-Related Neurologic Disease delirium tremens (DTs), an acute and sometimes fatal psychotic reaction caused by abrupt cessation of excessive intake of alcoholic beverages. Initial symptoms include loss of appetite, insomnia, and general restlessness, which are followed by agitation; excitement; disorientation; mental confusion; vivid and often frightening hallucinations; acute fear and anxiety; illusions and delusions; coarse tremors of the hands, feet, legs, and tongue; fever; increased heart rate; extreme perspiration; GI distress; and precordial pain. The episode, which usually constitutes a medical emergency, typically lasts from 3 to 6 days and is generally followed by a deep sleep. See also alcohol withdrawal syndrome, Korsakoff's psychosis. delirium (delir´ē n a condition of mental excitement, confusion, and clouded sensorium, usually accompanied by hallucinations, illusions, and delusions; precipitated by toxic factors in diseases or drugs. delirium tremens (DT), delirium tremens Complicated alcohol abstinence Alcoholism An acute organic psychosis seen 3-10 days after abrupt alcohol withdrawal Clinical Confusion, sensory overload, hallucinations–eg snakes, bugs, tremor, seizures, autonomic
hyperactivity, cardiovascular defects, diaphoresis, dehydration Lab ↓ K+, Mg2+ Management Hallucinations require hospitalization and haloperidol; abrupt alcohol withdrawal requires CNS depressants–eg benzodiazepines, phenobarbital;
antipsychotics–eg clopromazine should not be used; anticonvulsants are not used in absence of seizure history. See Othello syndrome. How to thank TFD for its existence? Tell a friend about us, add a link to this page, add the site to iGoogle, or visit webmaster's page for free fun content. |
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