What Is Typhoid Fever? Causes, Symptoms, Risk Factors, Complications, Treatments And PreventionAlcohol withdrawal syndrome is a clinical syndrome experienced by heavy drinkers who suddenly reduce, discontinue or abstain from alcohol consumption after a long-term dependence.
People who stop drinking without any help from medical experts face alcohol withdrawal syndrome, often followed by hospitalisation due to certain medical consequences. The condition can range from mild to moderate to severe. For mild/moderate forms of alcohol withdrawal, the symptoms can be managed by patients while severe forms require medical treatment and can be life-threatening. [1]
In this article, we will discuss details on alcohol withdrawal syndrome. Take a look.
What Is Typhoid Fever? Causes, Symptoms, Risk Factors, Complications, Treatments And Prevention
GABA or Gamma-aminobutyric acid is the inhibitory neurotransmitter of the central nervous system (CNS) or say, it blocks or inhibits the brain signals. On the other hand, glutamate is an excitatory neurotransmitter that helps send brain signals and produces euphoria and behavioural excitement.
Chronic alcoholism causes depressant effect and adaptive changes in these neurotransmitters due to the development of tolerance. This results in down-regulation in the function, number and sensitivity of GABA and up-regulation in the function, number and sensitivity of glutamate.
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In short, the glutamate receptors get increased during prolonged alcoholism so as to compensate for the slow-growing depressant effect of alcohol. [2]
When the consumption of alcohol or depressant suddenly stops, the mind experiences an acute fall in GABA and an acute increase in glutamate, causing hyperexcitability, followed by the development of alcohol withdrawal syndrome within a few hours after the intake of the last alcohol.
The signs and symptoms of alcohol withdrawal syndrome are divided into different stages. They are as follows:
Within 6-12 hours after the last drink
Within 12-24 hours after the last drink
Within 24-48 hours after the last drink
Within 48-72 hours after the last drink
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The symptoms of alcohol withdrawal are noticed within 1-3 days after the cessation. The medical experts first take into consideration the medical and personal history of the patient.
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In the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition (DSM-5), the condition is diagnosed when these two conditions are met: the clear evidence of alcohol reduction after heavy drinking and the occurrence of symptoms without any medical, behavioural or mental disorder. [5]
For a physical test, the blood test is carried out to measure the amount of alcohol in the body of the patient.
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Alcohol withdrawal syndrome is different for different people as not all experience the same symptoms. In some, mild symptoms appear after withdrawal and may go within days or a week, making them feel better. In others, the symptoms may get severe. Consult a medical expert if you notice severe symptoms within 1-3 days.
For moderate drinker, giving up alcohol can cause certain psychological and physical symptoms such as nausea, headache and anxiety which may disappear after days or weeks. For heavy drinkers, sudden giving up on alcohol or without any expert help can cause complications like hallucinations and delirium tremens.
Withdrawal syndrome refers to a range of symptoms that occur when you give up on something addictive to your body such as alcohol, drug or tobacco.