Treat delirium tremens. Treatment of delirium tremens at home

Delirium tremens is delirium tremens or a type of alcoholic psychosis. This disease is quite common; it occurs 3 days after the alcoholic stops drinking alcohol. But sometimes such a disease manifests itself on the 6th day. Usually, in order for delirium tremens to begin, you need to be an alcoholic for 5 years. Early studies showed that fever can appear in people around the age of 40. But now it turns out that both at 25 and 30 years old a person can get sick by abusing alcohol from a younger age.

How delirium tremens manifests itself (symptoms of the condition)

Confusion is the first sign of alcoholic delirium. Typically, visual hallucinations and attacks of fear occur, while the person remains self-aware. Common symptoms of delirium tremens:

1. Change of mood. The patient experiences attacks of anger, which are replaced by joy, that is, the mood is oscillatory.
2. Complete insomnia or sleep disturbance.
3. Increased sweating.
4. Hand trembling.
5. Conjunctivitis.
6. Increased blood circulation and rush of blood to the face - facial hyperemia. It is not contagious, but looking at your face at this time is not very pleasant. The face turns very red.
7. Hallucinations - the patient begins to see relatives who have already died, scary insects, worms, squirrels, cats, and even ghosts and devils.
8. There are hallucinations of a tactile and auditory nature. That is, it may seem to an alcoholic that the heroes of his visions are touching him, shouting at him or whispering something...

Based on these signs, the patient may begin to get confused in space, that is, at a certain moment he may not understand where he is. But a person is not always in such a state. Typically, attacks occur at night and in the evening, with periods of lucidity during the day and morning. There is no need to be alarmed if the patient’s temperature rises; at the same time, protein may appear in the urine, and the amount of bilirubin may exceed the norm. After taking a blood test, an inflammatory process will be detected.

Delirium tremens lasts up to 10 days, and the recovery process occurs during sleep. A person can sleep for a long time without waking up. But, however, there are different types of fever.

1. Reduced fever. Symptoms appear briefly and are very mild.
2. Mixed atypical delirium. Mild signs of fever are accompanied by the presence of delusional thoughts. A person's sense of reality is disrupted. The way out of this situation can be either abrupt or smooth over a long period of time. But with a smooth exit, the presence of delusional ideas can persist for a very long time.
3. Severe form of delirium tremens. This form is accompanied by the presence of psychosis, that is, a mental disorder. Blood pressure decreases, the incidence of heart disease also decreases, and body temperature can rise to 40.
Motor activity is impaired, shaking of the arms and legs appears. This degree of delirium can end in two ways. The first way involves dehydration, muttering, and various unmotivated movements. The worst outcome is death. But the second path can also end in Korsakoff psychosis, that is, damage to the peripheral nerves.

About how delirium tremens is corrected (treatment in a medical facility)

A condition such as delirium tremens requires taking emergency measures to bring the person back to normal. Treatment usually takes place in a medical setting in a psychiatric department. Treatment is aimed at eliminating insomnia, relieving seizures, and eliminating overexcitation. The course of intensive therapy is aimed at taking antipsychotics and benzodiazepines. As soon as the effect of relieving overexcitation is achieved, they begin taking haloperidol.

Phenothiazines can also be used in combination, but they often reduce activity. Drugs such as diazepam, nitrazepam will help cure insomnia. Another group of drugs - benzodiazepines - reduce the number of seizures in the patient. But these medications can only help a little, so in addition, drugs such as hydantoin are prescribed.

During the treatment process, medical institutions detoxify the body, and vitamin B and C are prescribed in large quantities. Various droppers are also often used. To prevent this from happening, Lasix is ​​injected.

How to relieve delirium tremens on your own (what to do at home)

It’s worth saying right away that treating this disease at home is almost impossible, since you will still need the help of specialists. But many are trying to do it on their own.

General approach

1. Put the patient to bed. Of course, he will do his best to prevent this, but it must be done. If you need to tie, then tie. After all, without doing this, the patient may harm himself.

2. Call a doctor immediately. It is very difficult to cope on your own, unless you are an expert in this matter.

3. To establish the water-salt balance of the body, you need to often give the patient slightly salty water. The body needs to be cooled periodically; it is best to take the patient to the shower.

4. But even there you need to be extremely careful. It will be difficult to do this alone.

5. Another important point is calming down. Drugs such as Piracetam or Diphenhydramine will help you with this.

6. You can’t shout or hit a person, and it’s not necessary. After all, everything said in this situation is not perceived.

So, what is the main thing to do in case of delirium delirium syndrome:

Maintain the water-salt balance of the body;
reduce intoxication;
carry out preventive measures to prevent the emergence of new diseases.

These 3 points must be performed with special care. But if you consult a doctor, you will protect both yourself and the patient.

To cleanse the body of alcohol, it is necessary and even recommended to give diuretics. "" is a good helper in cleansing the body of toxins. A microelement such as potassium should not be absent in the body, so it is necessary to replenish it. Most likely, the patient’s metabolism is weakened, and, of course, we need to help strengthen it. They usually put in IVs; you are unlikely to survive without them. And this fact indicates that specialized care in the hospital is necessary. You can install IVs at home, but this must be done by a person with medical education.

We turn to traditional methods. There are no recipes among the people that could help cure the disease in a jiffy. But there are tips on how to prevent this problem from occurring. These are tips for turning a person away from alcohol.

1. Take two bay leaves and lovage root. Pour a glass of vodka, put the herbs in it, and let it brew for about a week in a dark place. Now let the patient drink this infusion. He should feel disgusted. Accordingly, the occurrence of fever can be prevented using this method.

2. If a binge occurs, you can use mustard plasters. You need to put them on the back of your head and pour cold water over your head. You can also take a bath, but the water should be at room temperature. If vomiting occurs, you need to swallow ice. But the most important thing is sleep. The body recovers during sleep.

3. Another method. Take nutmeg, prune kernels and ground cloves. All these ingredients must be mixed in equal proportions. You need to mix very thoroughly. Use dry, little by little, on the edge of a knife. Wash all this down with 100 grams of hot water. Take the drug 2 times a day.

It is worth understanding that not all of these methods are suitable for every patient. After all, the person who created these methods adapted to his body. And some people don’t want to be treated at all... So you’ll have to look for and check recipes for binge drinking. To speed up the cleansing of alcohol from your body, do not forget to seek help from specialists.

The post-alcoholic state that occurs with severe abuse of alcoholic beverages is called “delirium tremens.” Such acute psychosis is popularly called “squirrel”, and in medicine – delirium tremens (translated as “stupefaction”).

Many people often confuse this syndrome with the characteristic state of a drinker, but delirium tremens occurs due to a sudden exit from a long binge or a significant reduction in the dosage of alcohol. Delirium tremens syndrome is dangerous both for the alcoholic himself and for those around him, so you need to know how to prevent and stop its attacks.

Delirium tremens is not a “mild” symptom that will simply go away after a while, but a real threat to life if not properly treated

To whom does delirium tremens “come”

Most often, delirium tremens occurs as a result of prolonged drinking. The condition is provoked by withdrawal syndrome and begins to manifest itself approximately 2-3 days after stopping drinking alcohol, usually in the evening or at night.

Important! In some cases, delirium tremens may occur after a single dose of alcohol.

Who gets delirium tremens:

1. For alcoholics who have a history of alcohol abuse for more than 5-8 years, and are already in the second or third stage of alcoholism. Moreover, if these individuals have previously had “encounters with a squirrel,” then the likelihood of delirium tremens occurring is high even with a small amount of alcohol.
2. In persons who do not regularly abuse alcohol, but may from time to time significantly exceed the dose of alcohol, especially if the alcohol is replaced with denatured alcohol. This same group includes people who periodically allow themselves strong libations, and who have suffered traumatic brain injuries in the past or have central dysfunction.

The occurrence of delirium tremens can be suspected if, after a binge, the alcoholic begins to behave strangely:

• A person develops an aversion to alcohol—at the sight of alcohol, the patient feels disgusted and refuses to drink it.
• A sharp change in mood occurs: a person experiences attacks of anxiety and melancholy, he is tormented by severe pain, which can be replaced by complete apathy. The patient does not sit still, behaves restlessly, and constantly talks.
• There is a tremor of the limbs, which does not stop and gradually intensifies.
• Sleep disturbances occur - short-term sleep, accompanied by nightmares, and then insomnia sets in, increasing the feeling of restlessness, anxiety, and fear.
• Hallucinations appear that can last for several hours or several days.

With any of the listed manifestations, one should begin to sound the alarm, otherwise subsequent stages of development may end disastrously for the patient.

If you experience any of the above symptoms, you should immediately consult a doctor, otherwise the outcome of the current situation will be disastrous.

Symptoms and stages of delirium tremens

The first symptom of delirium tremens is an alcoholic’s sudden refusal to drink alcohol after a long binge. Then, within 2-4 days, the patient’s condition begins to change dramatically, and the following signs of delirium tremens appear in men and women:

1. Hallucinations– a classic symptom of “squirrel”, which manifests itself in most patients.

• Visual hallucinations. The attacks begin with the onset of darkness, more often at night. The patient sees a large number of illusory visual images. He may imagine insects crawling on him, it seems that he is being chased by scary spiders, snakes, worms, and mice. The patient may feel as if he is caught in a web or rope. In especially severe cases, the alcoholic sees monsters, murderers, and devils chasing him. At the same time, a person can scream, because It seems to him that he is being tormented and killed, and can fight off invisible monsters.
• Auditory hallucinations. The patient hears various sounds and rustles, voices threatening him or his loved ones, the hissing of snakes. The alcoholic begins to feel fear and anxiety, it seems to him that something terrible is happening around him.

1. Changes in facial expressions, movements, speech. Associated with the appearance of hallucinations. The patient's face may express confusion, horror, and anxiety. An alcoholic can brush off non-existent ghosts and shake off insects. Some start looking for something, others hide, and others hide in a corner. The patient’s speech loses its meaning: phrases are abrupt and short, the person talks with imaginary images. In this state, the alcoholic becomes dangerous to himself and others - he can jump out of the window or attack loved ones.
2. Disorientation in time and space. An alcoholic ceases to understand where he is and does not recognize those around him. It is characteristic that the patient always remembers his data perfectly and can give his own first and last name even in this state.
3. Physical changes:

• A sharp increase in temperature, sometimes to life-threatening levels (40 degrees);
• Increased blood pressure;
• Strong body;
• A sharp loss of strength - the patient cannot move, lies in bed all the time;
• The appearance of increased sweating and chills, while the sweat has a specific odor, similar to the smell of dirty socks;
• Severe redness of the face, the rest of the skin has a pale tint;
• Jaundiced whites of the eyes (due to liver function).

In particularly severe forms of fever, the alcoholic’s consciousness becomes completely clouded; he can imagine that he is at work and clearly do all professional actions, or, on the contrary, lie in bed, constantly muttering and stroking and feeling everything around him. This is a very dangerous syndrome that can be fatal.

Note! Delirium tremens worsens at night and if measures are not taken in time in the morning, by the evening the “squirrel” will return with renewed vigor.

Delirium tremens after binge drinking goes through several stages, which are characterized by certain symptoms:

1. First stage (threatening). Occurs in the first days after the cessation of binge drinking. It manifests itself as incoherent muttering, tremors of the limbs, the appearance of hallucinations, feelings of anxiety and concern, and unreasonable fear. This condition can persist for 1-2 days and then go away on its own.
2. Second stage (complete delirium). Clinical manifestations are vivid - ordinary visions are supplemented by auditory and tactile hallucinations. The patient feels that he is constantly being pursued, threatened with death, attacked or strangled. It is dangerous to treat this condition on your own, and it requires immediate hospitalization of the patient. If a person has delirium tremens and there are additional pathological factors (profound alcoholism, severe traumatic brain injury, hereditary tendency to delirium), then the second stage very quickly moves into the next.
3. Third stage (life-threatening). The patient's speech becomes meaningless and incoherent, his speech rate drops sharply, his reaction to others disappears, and convulsions occur. This is a phase of acute psychosis that can last up to five days. In this condition, there is a high risk of developing coma, cerebral edema and death.

The timing of each stage and the severity of clinical manifestations depend on the individual characteristics of the patient, his alcohol history, state of health and duration of binge drinking.

In addition to tremors of the limbs, with delirium tremens, a person may experience prolonged hallucinations and a complete aversion to any type of alcohol.

Consequences and complications of delirium tremens

Delirium tremens is a deadly condition that results in complete recovery only in very rare cases. The most likely consequences of delirium tremens are:

• Partial recovery. A complication of delirium tremens is an organic psychosyndrome, which is characterized by a decrease in the level of intelligence, weakening of control over emotions, and memory loss. After delirium tremens, the functions of many organs and systems are disrupted, resulting in the development of pathological processes in the liver, kidneys, cardiovascular, and genitourinary systems.
• Death. It is recorded in ten cases out of a hundred, more often when hospitalization is refused medical care. If the patient is not hospitalized in a timely manner after delirium tremens, disorders incompatible with life (fever, high blood pressure) may occur. With “squirrel” the patient often commits suicide - he can throw himself from a window or under a car, cut his veins, or hang himself.

If a squirrel “came to an alcoholic” at least once, then the attack will return with one hundred percent probability, even with a small dose of alcohol and short binges. Each attack of fever exhausts the patient - a survivor after 2-3 episodes of delirium risks getting a complication in the form of cerebral dropsy or falling into a coma with subsequent death.

Important! A patient in a state of delirium tremens is dangerous to others, because during visions and hallucinations, an alcoholic can attack the first person he meets, injure or kill him.

Delirium tremens has a poor prognosis and is characterized by a high mortality rate. Often the condition ends for a person with dementia with complete or partial loss of memory, and this process is irreversible.

It is possible to completely recover from delirium tremens in very rare cases, so a person who is faced with such an illness can expect only two outcomes - death or partial recovery

How to cure delirium tremens

Treatment of delirium tremens at home is not recommended, because This condition threatens the life of the patient and others. The best solution in case of a squirrel attack is to place the patient in a specialized clinic, where all symptoms will be relieved within the first hours of admission to the hospital.

But, if for some reason the patient cannot or does not want to go to a psychiatric hospital and the disease is at the first stage, you can try treatment at home.

What to do at home:

• Try to calm down, calm the patient down, put him to bed. If a person behaves hostilely and inappropriately, his limbs should be tied and objects that could harm himself or others should be removed from the field of view.
• Place a damp bandage on the patient's forehead and provide plenty of fluids.
• Make an effort to make the patient fall asleep. To do this, you can give the person sedatives, sleeping pills, motherwort or valerian tincture.
• Do not leave the patient alone unattended.

Treatment at home can last from two to twenty days, but remember that self-medication may cause more harm than good. Without adequate therapeutic measures, it will be difficult for the patient to overcome this condition.

How to treat delirium tremens in a hospital setting:

• Relief of anxiety and agitation (diazepam solution).
• Normalization of water balance and metabolism (sodium chloride solution with dextran, vitamins C, B, P).
• Restoration of blood circulation and breathing.
• Elimination or prevention of liver and kidney dysfunctions.
• Prevention of cerebral edema.
• Treatment of concomitant diseases.

The duration of treatment for an attack of fever in a hospital setting, as a rule, does not exceed eight days.

Folk remedies for the treatment of delirium tremens are not valid, because... They are mainly aimed at causing an alcoholic’s aversion to alcohol, and not at relieving the condition.

In complex forms of fever, the patient is taken to the intensive care unit.

Treating a patient with a similar diagnosis at home is a big risk, therefore, if possible, it is best to send the patient to a psychiatric hospital, where the chances of recovery will be many times higher

FAQ

How long does delirium tremens last? Depending on the complexity of the case, an attack can last from several hours to several days, with symptoms intensifying at night and weakening during the day.

Why does delirium tremens occur? This condition is the result of prolonged exposure to alcohol breakdown products on the human brain.

An attack of delirium tremens may go away on its own? If a person realizes that something wrong is happening to him and seeks help from loved ones in time, he can do without specialized medical care.

Is it possible to die from delirium tremens? If the attack is not stopped in time, the probability of death in patients with alcoholic delirium is 12% of the total number.

How to avoid delirium tremens? Only complete abstinence from alcohol can help prevent an attack of delirium tremens.

This article is posted solely for the general educational purposes of visitors and does not constitute scientific material, universal instructions or professional medical advice, and does not replace a consultation with a doctor. For diagnosis and treatment, consult only qualified physicians.

Delirium tremens (delirium tremens, dromomania, delirium tremens) is the most common acute alcoholic psychosis (70–75% of all alcoholic psychoses). It usually develops in chronic alcoholics with more than 5 years of experience after long, heavy binges during the abstinence period, usually 2–4 days after drinking. Sometimes delirium tremens is preceded by malaise, insomnia, headaches, and somatic diseases. At this time, an aversion to alcohol often appears, and patients stop drinking. Psychosis develops rapidly, reaching a peak within just a few hours. This usually happens in the evening or at night.

Symptoms and course

The patient's orientation in space and time is disturbed. A characteristic sign of delirium is an influx of abundant, vivid illusions and hallucinations.

Visual hallucinations predominate. Most often, patients see various moving small animals: snakes, rodents, insects, spiders, etc. Patients can see devils teasing and sticking out their tongues at them. Sometimes large animals also appear: bears, bulls, elephants, dogs. Patients can fight with them, scold them, escape from their attack; collect insects from your body, clothes, walls, throw them off, crush them with your feet, etc.

Auditory hallucinations. The patient hears voices coming from everywhere, remarks addressed to the patient, condemning, scolding him and threatening him. The patient talks to these voices, argues with them, makes excuses, threatens in response. Sometimes auditory hallucinations are in the nature of orders that the patient carries out.

Tactile hallucinations are manifested by a realistic sensation of a foreign object in the mouth (thread or hair), the sensation of insects crawling over the body, or their bites.

The listed hallucinations can appear in combinations with each other. In this case, the images are in the nature of plots and scenes on a specific topic, in which the patient acts as a central figure. Hallucinations associated with the profession are not uncommon: a shoemaker wields an imaginary hammer, hammering imaginary nails into the sole, holding the nails in his mouth, etc.

In addition to hallucinations, illusions often occur. Patients perceive their surroundings pervertedly: they see changing fantastic images based on real objects (ornaments, wallpaper designs, etc.).

With delirium tremens, as a rule, there are fragmentary delusional ideas that reflect hallucinatory experiences. The patient's mood is anxious and depressed. During hallucinations, patients often experience fear and are subject to outbursts of aggression, which makes them dangerous at these moments. But severe melancholy, a state of hopelessness, can also develop, under the influence of which, as well as under the influence of fear, the patient can commit suicide. Occasionally during delirium tremens, euphoria occurs with the flat humor characteristic of chronic alcoholics.

As a rule, during delirium tremens, motor excitation occurs, reflecting the visionary scenes experienced by the patient. The patient attacks imaginary opponents and runs away from them; at the same time, he can jump out of the window of a house or throw himself under a car.

Somatic symptoms:

• pronounced trembling as with chills;
• dilated pupils while maintaining their reaction to light;
• strengthening of tendon reflexes;
• increase in body temperature to 37-38.5°;
• increased heart rate, increased blood pressure;
• redness of the skin, especially the face;
• severe inflammatory phenomena in the gastrointestinal tract, the tongue is coated;
• enlarged liver, painful when palpated;
• increased levels of leukocytes and bilirubin in the blood, accelerated ESR.

According to the severity of the course, alcoholic delirium is divided into:

• abortive (last several hours, there are no pronounced disturbances of consciousness and agitation, they go away without treatment, criticism of one’s condition remains);
• delirium with a predominance of auditory hallucinations;
• classic delirium tremens;
• fantastic delirium (detachment, darkened consciousness, disorder of self-awareness with depressive or manic affect);
• severe forms (professional, murmuring (“mumbling”) delirium; with signs of acute disorders of the functions of the brain, consciousness, neurological and somatic disorders).

Delirium tremens lasts 3–5 days, less often – a week. The intensity of these clinical symptoms fluctuates at different times of the day. Psychosis is especially pronounced at dusk and at night. Throughout the course of the disease, patients sleep very little, their sleep is severely disturbed.
Usually the disease ends as unexpectedly as it began. Within a few hours the symptoms subside. Patients fall into a long, deep sleep and wake up without signs of illness. Only over the next few days is asthenia observed - a consequence of psychosis.

Treatment

Delirium tremens is an emergency condition and requires emergency therapeutic measures. Treatment is carried out within the framework of specialized medical care in a psychiatric hospital.

The main tactical objectives of treatment are to relieve agitation and insomnia, prevent seizures, relieve intoxication, as well as combat concomitant pathologies and complications.

Neuroleptics and benzodiazepines are used to treat delirium tremens. They are treated in an intensive care ward (department). Excitement is relieved with antipsychotics, which do not have a pronounced sedative effect or the risk of excessive reduction in blood pressure. The drug of choice among antipsychotics is haloperidol in a dosage of 2–10 mg IM; if the excitement is not relieved, the indicated dose is re-administered every hour. Once a sedative effect is achieved, they switch to enteral administration of haloperidol (10–60 mg per day).

Phenothiazines (Chlorpromazine and others) are also used in the treatment of delirium, but they more often cause a decrease in blood pressure and sedation. Zuclopenthixol and quetiapine are also used. Benzodiazepines (for example, diazepam, triazolam, nitrazepam) help treat insomnia. Benzodiazepines reduce the likelihood of developing seizures. However, some patients require additional anticonvulsant therapy with hydantoin or barbiturates.

Carbamazepine is effective for relieving agitation and convulsions in the abortive form of delirium tremens. Compared to benzodiazepines, the drug is more successful in suppressing psychosis. But in case of severe delirium it is not used.

For delirium, detoxification and hydration therapy are additionally carried out; Prescribe shock doses of vitamins B (especially B1) and C. Intoxication is relieved by hemosorption, intravenous drip infusions of hemodez, glucose, rheopolyglucin. Infusions of isotonic solution, unithiol, magnesium sulfate, and sodium thiosulfate are often used. Heart activity is supported by corglycone and cordiamine. To prevent cerebral edema, Lasix (1% solution) is administered.

Help at home

We should immediately make a reservation: treating delirium tremens at home is impossible. The consequences of such attempts can be lethal. We can only give a few tips on how to take emergency measures before qualified assistance is provided:

• put the patient with delirium tremens on the bed and keep him in this position until the doctors arrive;
• if necessary, tie him to the bed;
• give plenty of fluids to relieve intoxication;
• A cold shower wouldn't hurt.

Conclusion

“Are you still drinking? Then I’m coming to you!” – the frightening-looking squirrel decisively declared, pointing at you with its furry, clawed paw.
Delirium tremens, which is popularly associated with this harmless rodent, has long been a reason for jokes and funny stories. However, we must not forget how many dangerous consequences this disease is fraught with, the mortality rate of which is 10–25%. Therefore, preventive measures against this alcoholic psychosis are of no small importance. Prevention of delirium tremens comes down to the prevention and treatment of chronic alcoholism, to limiting, or better yet, completely abstaining from the use of strong drinks.

Delirium tremens

Greetings to all friends and readers on the medical blog! In all countries of the world, alcoholism ranks first in the number of deaths and family breakdowns. Is it even worth talking about how many diseases arise from alcohol abuse? Everyone knows this very well, but ardent alcoholics do not listen to the sad statistics and continue to drink until their death. Let's talk to you, friends, about delirium tremens - an acute form of alcoholism.

What is delirium tremens?

● Delirium tremens is an acute psychosis that poses a great danger both to the patient himself and to the people around him. The development of delirium tremens is noted in the binge stage against the background of pronounced withdrawal symptoms. It can begin when you suddenly stop drinking alcohol. Delirium tremens most often develops in patients who have previously suffered a severe infectious disease or skull injury.

● The appearance of delirium tremens (delirium) is usually preceded by a stage of certain precursors. The patient experiences disturbing dreams with hallucinations or nightmares. The disease often begins in the evening, at night or early in the morning. The main symptom of delirium tremens is a disorder of consciousness. The patient has no orientation in the environment, he is disoriented in time and space, sometimes he can even confuse his first and last name. Real reality changes into hallucinations that are of a vivid visual nature.

● The nature of the hallucinations is fantastic and frightening: patients see creepy monsters, devils, and many small moving insects that do not exist in reality. Visual hallucinations are usually accompanied by tactile and auditory ones. Non-existent images are mixed with reality, they are intertwined into one terrifying tangle that drives the patient into a frenzy. He perceives everything he sees as reality, he is overwhelmed by fear, strives to hide and run away, and sometimes attacks his “enemies.” Imaginary monsters constantly pursue him, threaten him, make terrible faces at him.

● Although not for long, sometimes it is possible to come into contact with the patient, bringing him closer to reality. In patients with delirium tremens, severe trembling of the fingers and hands is detected, body temperature often rises and increased sweating is noted. Acute psychosis usually lasts several days with a gradual (lytic) or rapid (critical) recovery from the pathological state. After which the patient falls asleep for a long time, after which all previous phenomena disappear completely.

Conservative treatment of delirium tremens

● If delirium tremens is not treated, in 5-10% the patient may die due to the addition of lobar or cardiac arrest. Patients with acute psychosis are placed in a special hospital - a psychiatric hospital. He is prescribed various sedatives and sleeping pills, and conditions are created for him so that he cannot harm himself or those around him. Today, E.A.’s prescription is considered an effective drug. Popova:

- luminal (phenobarbital) - 2-3 tablets;

— medical alcohol 96⁰ — 10-20 ml;

– distilled water – 100 ml.

Mix all ingredients and give to the patient in one dose. If you don’t have phenobarbital on hand, you can replace it with some similar sleeping pill of good quality.

Treatment of delirium tremens with folk remedies

● Infuse one lovage root on high-quality vodka for seven days mixed with two leaves of Laurus nobilis (bay leaf). Filter and give to the green snake lover to drink several times. After taking this remedy, he will have an aversion to alcohol for a long time.

● Relieves cravings for vodka and wine with centaury-based tincture And . Chop and mix the herbs, taken in equal parts by weight; Infuse two tablespoons of the mixture in 200 ml of high-quality vodka for one week. The tincture is designed for one dose, with 3-4 such sessions.

● An ancient effective recipe for alcoholism and delirium tremens. You will need to sprinkle dry birch firewood with sugar, light it, then extinguish it. Invite the patient to breathe this smoke. Then give him a whole glass of vodka. Please note that this will be the last glass of alcohol he drinks. This was proven by village healers and sorcerers.

● Ancient doctors treated hypochondria and mental illness with an infusion of hellebore herb– take ⅓ glass three times a day.

● Scientists in many countries claim that cravings for alcohol are associated with a lack of potassium in the body. Therefore, it has been proposed as a remedy for delirium tremens, which is a good source of potassium. I bring to your attention a technique with elements of delirium tremens, used abroad:

- the patient is given 6 teaspoons of honey, after 20 minutes - the same amount, and after 20 minutes another 6; within one hour the patient should receive 18 teaspoons of honey;

- After two hours, continue treatment: give the hedgehog three times 6 teaspoons of honey every 20 minutes, after which the patient can sleep until the morning. In the morning, if desired, he is allowed to get a hangover, but he needs to be given 3 doses of 6 teaspoons every 20 minutes, then let him have breakfast, and for dessert - another 4 teaspoons. honey;

● Medicinal collection. 1 part centaury, 1 part thyme and 1 part wormwood. Pour 200 ml of boiling water into 3 tablespoons of the mixture for 2 hours, filter and feed the patient 3-4 times a day, one tablespoon.

● Recipe for village peasants in Rus'. Place several green bugs with an unpleasant odor (found on raspberry bushes) in a glass of vodka, leave for 2-3 days and give the patient a drink without explaining to him anything about the composition of the drink.

● Decoction of ram herb, club moss. Pour a glass of boiling water over two tablespoons of chopped dry herbs and simmer over low heat for 15-20 minutes, filter after an hour. We give the patient ⅓-½ glass two or three times a day. With this treatment, medical supervision is necessary to avoid undesirable consequences.

● Clinical observations have noted that frequent consumption of sour apples helps to cure alcoholism and delirium tremens.

Take care of yourself from delirium tremens, God bless you!

The phrase “delirium tremens” is probably known to everyone. This disease is very scary. It has serious symptoms, no less serious consequences, sometimes even But at the same time, it is one of the most popular topics in jokes, humorous stories, and tales. What is delirium tremens? What is the reason for this ambiguity? How does it arise and how does it go?

Delirium tremens is a consequence of prolonged alcohol abuse. In Latin it sounds like “delirium tremens”, which translates as “shaking darkness”. In medicine, delirium tremens is also called “alcoholic delirium.” People mostly use the terms “squirrel” or “squirrel”.

General information

Delirium tremens is a consequence of alcohol abuse. “Squirrel” in most cases is observed in experienced alcoholics. These people have second or third degree chronic alcoholism. Typically, such people have already had a drinking experience of 5-7 years. However, there have also been cases when “squirrel” was observed in patients who went on a binge for two to three weeks. There have even been recorded cases of alcoholic delirium in those people who are not dependent on alcohol and do not go on binge drinking. “Squirrel” can come after drinking a huge amount of alcohol, in other words, when a person has had too much. Often the cause of delirium can be low-quality alcohol.

At its core, “squirrel” is the body’s reaction to a lack of alcohol after a long binge. To put it simply, as a rule, a “squirrel” visits a person 2-5 days after he has stopped drinking alcohol. The brain suffers toxic damage during binge drinking. When the supply of new portions of alcohol is stopped, oxygen starvation occurs. Delirium tremens develops gradually. This often depends on the physical and mental health of the patient.

Symptoms of alcoholic delirium

How does delirium tremens manifest? Symptoms, consequences - we all know this thanks to the work of scientists and doctors. First, let's highlight the main symptoms.

The first symptoms of “squirrel” are disturbances in a person’s sleep. He sleeps very poorly or cannot sleep at all, there is some anxiety. This condition may be accompanied by migraines, convulsions, vomiting, and speech impairment. At the next stage, there is an increase in anxiety, heart rate increases, blood pressure and body temperature rise. The patient's hands shake violently.

Gradually, “glitches” begin - first I have nightmares, and then they develop into some kind of visions. A person experiences deception of hearing and vision while awake: he hears extraneous voices of people, shadows, and various non-existent objects. He sees conspiracies against him everywhere and claims that his life is in danger.

After 2-3 days, the patient’s condition becomes even worse: he does not sleep at all, he already imagines various insects crawling over his body, fairy-tale animals, devils, elves, gnomes. The patient tries to escape from the threat. This state may leave him in a couple of days, or it may end more disastrously for himself and for the people around him.

Let us highlight the following main symptoms of alcoholic delirium:

• visual and auditory hallucinations;
• state of madness and insanity;
• loss of orientation in space and time;
• chills, increased blood pressure and temperature;
• anxiety, fear, severe nervous excitement;
• frequent mood changes: aggression and fear change to fun, and vice versa;
• or general insomnia;
• increased sweating;
• hand tremors, convulsions;

Varieties of delirium tremens

The following types of “squirrel” can be distinguished:

• Reduced delirium- short-term or mild “squirrel” symptoms.
• Atypical mixed delirium- “glitches” are added to mild symptoms, orientation and a sense of reality are lost. This type of “squirrel” can end abruptly or be lytic in nature, that is, gradually. In the latter case, delusional ideas persist for a very long time.
• Severe delirium- can develop in two directions: mumbling and professional.

Types of severe delirium

Mumbling delirium— the patient constantly mutters something indistinctly and makes strange movements: palpating, wiping, smoothing. Dehydration is also common.

Occupational delirium diagnosed by movements that predominate in a person’s work environment. In this case, the patient is sure that he is at work. He makes all the movements and repeats the same sounds as in his workplace. Usually this condition develops into Korsakov psychosis.

Korsakov psychosis

Korsakov psychosis is a mental disorder that arises as a result of the defeat of Delirium tremens, the consequences for the brain are extremely disastrous. The patient experiences amnesia - the patient forgets absolutely everything, he does not remember the past, and is not even able to reproduce the events of the current day. Such people do not remember the names of their loved ones, they may ask the same stupid questions, etc. Patients are very anxious, they are afraid of everything. Over time, they may develop a state of euphoria or, on the contrary, apathy and indifference. With Korsakov psychosis, the ability to work is lost and paralysis develops. The patient becomes disabled. With complete abstinence from alcohol and intensive rehabilitation, after 2-3 years the memory may stabilize, but performance does not return.

First aid for delirium tremens

If a person has squirrel symptoms, first of all, you should try to put him to bed and keep him in that position until the doctors arrive. You need to apply something cold to your forehead and give him plenty to drink. The patient needs to calm down. For this purpose, you can give sedatives or sleeping pills. A patient in the “squirrel” state must be under constant supervision for the safety of both him and those around him. In a state of delirium, a person, running away from an imaginary danger, may lean out of the window or begin to fight with improvised means, and these can be very dangerous objects.

Treatment of delirium tremens

Delirium tremens is a consequence of drug abuse. It is impossible to overcome the “squirrel” on your own, so medical care is mandatory. The patient must be hospitalized in a psychiatric hospital. Refusing medical care can have consequences. The state of alcoholic delirium usually lasts from two to eight days. During the day the patient feels better, he even resembles a normal person, but at night the symptoms worsen.

To treat squirrels, psychotropic sedatives are used, as well as agents that normalize metabolism and water-salt balance in the body. Doctors bring the cardiovascular system and breathing back to normal. Vitamins must be administered intravenously. If the patient has prolonged hallucinations, antipsychotic drugs are prescribed. However, they are not always prescribed, only in emergency cases, as they tend to intensify seizures. After recovery, the patient is prescribed long-term preventive treatment with limited alcohol consumption or complete abstinence. Delirium tremens still leaves consequences after treatment - even the best. But in what form is another question.

Consequences

What delirium tremens is and what its symptoms are has already become clear. Now let's look at the consequences. All human organs and systems suffer from alcoholic delirium. Delirium tremens can have consequences ranging from complete recovery to death. Most often, this is a manifestation of a variety of diseases, both physical and mental. The consequences depend on how good the patient’s health is. The degree and timeliness of first medical aid plays an important role.

Here are some consequences of delirium:

• psychosis in chronic form;
• disruption of the heart;
• deterioration of blood circulation;
• kidney diseases;
• liver diseases;
• cerebral edema;
• amnesia.

In most cases, patients who are lucky and have overcome the “squirrel” strive for a full recovery and do not repeat the sad experience. These people become very sensitive: even minor consumption can trigger a new attack, which will be stronger. The consequences of delirium tremens after binge drinking can already be fatal. Then it is almost impossible to save a person.

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