Alcohol withdrawal syndrome - causes and signs of alcohol withdrawal syndrome

The main types of the disease:

• Psychopathic – pronounced mental disorders (suicidal behavior, depressed state, fear and anxiety, hallucinations, mirages, disorientation in space).
• Cerebral – disorders of the neurovegetative system, which are characterized by attacks of headache, dizziness and fainting, tremor, epileptiform seizures.
• Somatic or visceral – accompanied by vomiting, flatulence, stool disorders, shortness of breath, tachycardia.
• Neurovegetative – a number of symptoms are noted: lethargy, sleep disturbance, asthenic disorders, increased sweating, dry mouth and thirst, loss of appetite, swelling, jumps arterial pressure.

Causes

The cause of the disease is systemic poisoning of the human body with alcohol. The disease occurs as a result of prolonged alcohol intoxication due to the accumulation of alcohol breakdown products. With excessive consumption of alcoholic beverages, there is an excess of ethanol in the body. A high concentration of harmful toxins leads to saturation of the entire system, in particular organs and blood vessels.

First of all, the central nervous system is hit. After all, it is very sensitive and prone to damage.

After a binge, ethanol is gradually broken down in the liver. Released by-products enter the circulatory system, negatively affecting the functioning of the brain and nerve cells.

Symptoms

The severity of symptoms directly depends on the duration of the binge and the amount of alcohol in the blood.

The main signs of the disease: a feeling of exhaustion and fatigue, agitated psychomotor activity, aggression upon contact, trembling and tremors of the body, intense and prolonged headache as a result of increased cranial pressure or vascular spasms, nausea and vomiting (in severe cases), prolonged depressive period, development of phobias, anxiety and apathy, decreased attention, ability to think, disturbed sleep patterns, constant nightmares, insomnia, hallucinations (both auditory and visual), refusal to eat.

If symptoms occur, you should make an appointment with neurologist or psychotherapist. A consultation with a therapist is necessary.

Diagnostics

The purpose of diagnostics is to determine the reflexes, consciousness, breathing of a person, to identify all clinical symptoms, to establish the presence of possible diseases, their complications. The patient must be taken to the hospital and ensure all vital functions, organize control and support of body functions.

Treatment

A special therapy guarantees a quick and positive effect. It is impossible to completely eliminate the effect of ethanol and the development of pathological changes. The attending physician prescribes intravenous administration of saline solutions of a detoxifying spectrum of action. Do not expect an immediate result, because the rapid pace of infusion therapy threatens a lot of negative consequences.

In addition to IV drips, it is recommended to use diuretics and vasodilators, sedatives. Particular emphasis is placed on restoring liver function, in particular removing ethanol from the body.

Antibiotics and glucocorticoids are prescribed. Tranquilizers are needed to temporarily block consciousness with a gradual return to reality. Vitamin therapy and proper nutrition are indicated.

Prevention

The essence of preventive measures is giving up alcohol. Systematic intake, constant craving for alcohol leads to the destruction of the personality and the human body. The support of loved ones is of great importance during the rehabilitation period.