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A condition that occurs when heavy and prolonged alcohol use is stopped, whether it is voluntary or involuntary cessation due to lack of access to alcohol.
Abrupt cessation causes hyperactivity of the nervous system.
Mild symptoms include tachycardia, hand tremors, insomnia, anxiety, etc. The most severe form is delirium tremens, which can be fatal in up to 5% of cases. The Delirium may include agitation, hallucinations, rapid breathing, or even convulsions or arrhythmias.
Diagnosis is based on clinical history and exclusion of other diseases causing similar symptoms.
Treatment is symptomatic and with anxiolytics (benzodiazepines).
- Robert S Hoffman, MD.Management of moderate and severe alcohol withdrawal syndromesUpToDate, Noviembre, 2015.
- Hecksel KA. Inappropriate use of symptom-triggered therapy for alcohol withdrawal in the general hospital. Mayo Clin Proc 2008; 83:274.
- Cassidy EM. Symptom-triggered benzodiazepine therapy for alcohol withdrawal syndrome in the emergency department: a comparison with the standard fixed dose benzodiazepine regimen. Emerg Med J 2012; 29:802.
- Hack JB. Resistant alcohol withdrawal: does an unexpectedly large sedative requirement identify these patients early? J Med Toxicol 2006; 2:55.
- Marc A. Schuckit. Alcohol y alcoholismo. Harrison. Principios de Medicina Interna, 19e. Capítulo 467.
Dr. Patricia Sánchez
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