Alcohol Dependence

Alcohol Dependence: Symptoms, Complaints, Signs

The following symptoms and complaints may indicate alcohol-related disorder (modified from): Alcohol odor Habitus Beer belly; contrasting with atrophy of the shoulder and or leg muscles. Face Reddened conjunctivae of the eyes Bloated (edematous) face, often reddened, with telangiectasias (vascular dilatation just below the skin surface), but also sallow (facies alcoholica) Rhinophyma (reddened, bulbous thickening … Alcohol Dependence: Symptoms, Complaints, Signs

Alcohol Dependence: Medical History

The medical history (history of illness) represents an important component in the diagnosis of alcohol dependence. Family history What is the general health of your family members? Social history Is there any evidence of psychosocial stress or strain due to your family situation (e.g., disputes with life partner, separation, divorce)? Decline in performance, unexcused absence … Alcohol Dependence: Medical History

Alcohol Dependence: Secondary Diseases

The following are the most important diseases or complications (alcohol withdrawal delirium, most common complications marked with * ) that may be contributed to by alcohol dependence: Congenital malformations, deformities, and chromosomal abnormalities (Q00-Q99). Malformations of the child Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD); the full-blown syndrome is called Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS); prevalence (disease frequency): … Alcohol Dependence: Secondary Diseases

Alcohol Dependence: Examination

A comprehensive clinical examination is the basis for selecting further diagnostic steps: General physical examination – including blood pressure, pulse, body temperature, body weight, body height; furthermore: Inspection (viewing). Skin, mucous membranes, pharynx (throat), and sclerae (white part of the eye) [tremor (shivering), sweating; withdrawal syndrome without delirium (state of confusion): facial flushing, mydriasis (dilated … Alcohol Dependence: Examination

Alcohol Dependence: Test and Diagnosis

1st order laboratory parameters – obligatory laboratory tests. Small blood count [MCV ↑] Gamma-GT (gamma-glutamyl transferase) Alanine aminotransferase (ALT, GPT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST, GOT) – only elevated in liver parenchyma damage) [AST > ALT]. Carbodeficient transferrin (CDT) ↑ (in chronic alcoholism; positive with consumption of one bottle of wine or three bottles of beer per … Alcohol Dependence: Test and Diagnosis

Alcohol Dependence: Drug Therapy

Therapy goals Absolute, preferably lifelong abstinence If the achievement of abstinence is not possible or harmful or risky consumption is present, a reduction of consumption (amount, time, frequency) in the sense of harm reduction should be sought. Therapy recommendations Inpatient treatment (detoxification or better qualified withdrawal [QE]) is recommended for: When there is a risk … Alcohol Dependence: Drug Therapy

Alcohol Dependence: Diagnostic Tests

Medical device diagnostics are not required for the diagnosis of alcohol dependence. For the diagnosis of secondary diseases, the following optional medical device diagnostics – depending on the results of the history, physical examination, laboratory diagnostics, and obligatory medical device diagnostics – may contribute to the differential diagnostic clarification Abdominal ultrasonography (ultrasound examination of the … Alcohol Dependence: Diagnostic Tests

Alcohol Dependence: Micronutrient Therapy

A risk group indicates the possibility that the disease may be associated with the risk of micronutrient deficiency (vital substance deficiency). The complaint “Mental and behavioral disorders due to alcohol: dependence syndrome” indicates micronutrient deficiency for: Vitamins Vitamin A Vitamin D Vitamin E Vitamin C Thiamine Riboflavin Niacin Pantothenic acid Pyridoxine Biotin Folic acid Minerals … Alcohol Dependence: Micronutrient Therapy

Alcohol Dependence: Causes

Pathogenesis (development of disease) Alcohol dependence can be divided into a primary and a secondary form.In the primary form, psychosocial factors, stress and the personality structure of the affected person play an important role.In the secondary form, alcohol dependence occurs as a result of a pre-existing psychiatric disease. Alcohol dependence is thought to be related … Alcohol Dependence: Causes

Alcohol Dependence: Therapy

General measures Strive to maintain normal weight! Determination of BMI (body mass index, body mass index) or body composition by means of electrical impedance analysis and, if necessary, participation in a medically supervised program for underweight people. Avoidance of psychosocial stress: Current conflicts Unemployment Social isolation Stress Conventional non-surgical therapy methods Qualified withdrawal: qualified withdrawal … Alcohol Dependence: Therapy