What to do if a person has delirium tremens! Call us!
In severe forms, it is necessary to implement resuscitation measures. Such manipulations are carried out in a specially equipped ward at a psychiatric hospital.
The condition commonly referred to as delirium tremens is a special form of acute metal–alcohol psychosis. A person experiences aggression directed at himself, hallucinatory depression of consciousness, motor arousal, fear, illusions and delusions.
The term alcoholic delirium appears in the medical environment, experts describe the disease as a syndrome accompanying drunkenness (alcohol dependence) at the first and second stages of development.
The disease is formed by the abuse of alcoholic beverages. A person experiencing an attack of alcoholic delirium is dangerous to others and to himself, as he cannot adequately assess reality and obsessive state.
Reasons
Delirium tremens can be formed due to such factors:
Sudden cessation of alcohol consumption on the background of alcohol dependence (popularly referred to as a "hangover").
A large volume of alcoholic beverages consumed.
Infectious diseases.
Traumatic brain injuries.
Most patients suffering from delirium tremens claim to have been attacked by devils in their hallucinogenic delusions. Such mirages torment European alcoholics, Indians, and residents of the Far North who drink alcohol excessively.
Symptoms and primary signs
Clinical signs of alcoholic delirium develop 72 hours after the last dose of alcohol consumed. If the sudden cancellation occurred against the background of previous operations, damage, the first symptoms may appear on the first day.
The characteristic signs develop depending on the stage of the disease.
The first stage of delirium tremens is threatening delirium
This phase is identical to withdrawal symptoms in most cases. In the morning, the disease is reflected in the mental state and physiology.:
Loss of orientation in familiar places, loss of sense of temporal perception.
Hyperthermia. Body temperature can rise up to 39-40 degrees.
Frequent shortness of breath, tachycardia.
Sudden, paroxysmal headaches.
Diarrhea.
Systematic vomiting.
Neurological disorders – slurred speech, etc.
Convulsions.
Redness of the face and eyes.
In the evening, there may be:
Tremor (shaking) of the hands.
Growing excitement.
Hallucinations.
Nightmares, insomnia.
If a person resumes drinking alcohol at this stage of the disease's development, they return to their normal state.
Second stage: acute alcoholic delirium
This stage is characterized by a rapid development of symptoms. Spontaneous healing is considered impossible. This is a characteristic syndrome of alcoholic delirium (delirium tremens).
Signs of the second stage:
Hallucinations that increase in intensity and duration. A person hears the movement of shadows, the slamming of doors, footsteps, and bells.
Increased delusional states, delusions become obsessive. A person thinks that they are being persecuted, they want to harm, kill, etc
. The body temperature rises to 39 degrees and above.
The patient experiences irritation in relation to bright light, sound and other factors.
Increasing vegetative hyperactivity.
Aggressive states are abruptly replaced by general arousal and vice versa.
Breathing becomes rapid and intermittent (up to 26 /min.).
There is a deterioration in sleep. Dreams become nightmarish and difficult.
Alcoholic delirium can develop not only against the background of alcohol withdrawal, but also upon discontinuation of sedatives or hypnotics. The body's reactions associated with physical dependence are dangerous and can be fatal. Specialized medical care is needed.
If the patient does not receive appropriate medical care, he is doomed to develop delirium tremens into the third and final phase.
Stage three: Delirium (life-threatening)
The extreme degree of the disease is characterized by the following symptoms:
Aggressive exacerbations are followed by complete and deep bouts of apathy;
A person experiences weakness and mental and physical retardation.;
All reactions are sluggish;
There is an extreme degree of delusional states – a quiet voice, incoherent and incoherent speech.;
Tremor spreading throughout the body;
Seizures, epileptic seizures;
Tachycardia, shortness of breath;
Insomnia is accompanied by illusions and hallucinations, profound in their intensity and brightness.
In the absence of proper qualified medical care, the third phase of delirium tremens develops into a coma due to excessive depression of consciousness. This can lead to irreversible brain damage, hemorrhage, brain edema, and death. No one can predict the extent of the defeat.
Effects
Alcoholic delirium can cause the development of various diseases. Brain damage in alcoholic delirium has a pronounced pattern. The most characteristic consequences are as follows:
Pneumonia – occurs in one third of people with delirium tremens;
Alcoholic cardiomyopathy – develops in 25% of cases, can lead to the loss of the patient;
Impaired absorption and metabolism of vitamins;
Destabilization of acid-base, water-salt balance;
Pancreatitis;
Renal and hepatic dysfunction (e.g. fatty liver);
Rhabdomyolysis is a syndrome accompanied by the destruction of muscle tissue and an extreme degree of myopathy.;
Swelling of the brain.
Delirium tremens may be over:
An exhaustive recovery;
Partial recovery – the patient remains with an amnesic or organic psychosyndrome.;
Fatal outcome.