Delirium tremens

Delirium tremens is a severe, potentially life-threatening complication of alcohol withdrawal, typically involving delirium, agitation, tremor, and autonomic instability.

Alcohol withdrawal syndrome: A range of symptoms that can occur when prolonged heavy alcohol use is reduced or stopped. Delirium tremens is its most severe manifestation.
Clinical Institute Withdrawal Assessment for Alcohol scale: A clinician-rated scale for assessing the severity of alcohol withdrawal symptoms. It helps monitor withdrawal, though delirium can make symptom scoring unreliable.
Alcoholic hallucinosis: A withdrawal-related condition featuring hallucinations with relatively clear consciousness and orientation. Unlike delirium tremens, hallucinations occur without the same clouding of attention and awareness.
Withdrawal delirium: An acute, fluctuating disturbance of attention and awareness caused by withdrawal from a substance. Delirium tremens is the alcohol-withdrawal form of this syndrome.
GABA: The brain’s primary inhibitory neurotransmitter. Chronic alcohol exposure enhances GABA signaling; withdrawal removes that compensating inhibition.
Benzodiazepine: A class of drugs that enhance the effect of the inhibitory neurotransmitter GABA. Benzodiazepines are first-line medicines for controlling severe alcohol withdrawal.
Alcohol withdrawal seizure: A seizure occurring after reduction or cessation of prolonged heavy alcohol use. It is a severe withdrawal complication that may occur without delirium.
Cardiac arrhythmia: An abnormality in the rate or rhythm of the heartbeat. Severe autonomic stress and electrolyte disturbances can contribute to dangerous rhythm problems.
Glutamate: A neurotransmitter that mediates most excitatory signaling in the brain. Withdrawal can leave excitatory signaling unrestrained, contributing to agitation and seizures.
Phenobarbital: A long-acting barbiturate that enhances inhibitory signaling in the central nervous system. It may be used in severe or difficult-to-control withdrawal under close supervision.

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