A person presents to OPD with tremors, visual hallucinations after 2 days history of alcohol cessation. Diagnosis is:
Correct Answer: Delirium tremens
Description: Ref. Oxford textbook of Psychiatry. Page. 572
Delirium Tremens / Alcohol Withdrawal Delirium (AWD):
Most severe form of ethanol withdrawal manifested by,
Mechanism:
Altered mental status (Global confusion)
Autonomic hyperactivity (Sympathetic overdrive)
Alcohol abuse affects neurotransmitter systems in brain mainly by,
Loss of GABA inhibitory mechanism - Reduces chloride ion influx.
Alcohol acts as NMDA receptor antagonist - Withdrawal increases the excitatory neurotransmitter.
The clinical manifestations of ethanol withdrawal are combination effects of GABA & NMDA receptor activity.
Thus causing tremors, diaphoresis, tachycardia, anxiety & in severe cases Seizure.
Category:
Unknown
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