The certainly best known form of delirium is alcohol delirium, which can occur in various forms in alcoholics. How delir is treated in general and what should be considered in the therapy of alcohol delirium in particular is explained below.
Alcohol delirium (delirium tremens).
Alcohol delirium has some special features. It is important to note that there is not only the classic alcoholic delirium. Rather, a distinction is made between the rarer continuity delirium, which develops despite alcohol consumption, and the much more common alcohol withdrawal delirium, which begins one to three days after alcohol intake is discontinued. Approximately one in ten alcoholics develops delirium during their alcoholism career.
Causes and symptoms of alcohol delirium
Often, alcohol delirium is triggered by an accident in which the alcoholic’s wounds are treated in the hospital but he is unable to indicate his alcoholism, for example, because he is unconscious: As a result, he does not receive alcohol and after a few days he goes into withdrawal delirium.
This form shows the same symptoms as any other delirium; in addition, an increased suggestibility is often characteristic, which may manifest itself as follows: When asked to read something off a blank sheet of paper or to pick up a nonexistent thread from the bedspread, the affected person performs both activities without objection. Nearly half of all alcohol deliriums begin with an epileptic seizure, and delirium symptoms are also more pronounced.
What can be done about delirium?
The most important thing is to find the triggering cause of delirium – because only then can symptomatic measures lead to a lasting improvement in health. Symptomatic measures include monitoring all major cardiovascular parameters, controlling water and food intake, and giving medications to counteract disturbances in cognition, psychomotor function, sleep, and agitation.
If the affected person is extremely agitated and at risk of injury, sedative medications are used – in rare cases, restraint of the patient may be necessary.
Treating an alcoholic delirium
In alcohol delirium, special medications are also given to alleviate withdrawal symptoms. To prevent neurological sequelae, high-dose vitamin administration is also necessary to avert possible nerve damage.
Delirium often resolves after a few days, but alcohol delirium in particular can last longer, up to 20 days in extreme cases.
