Symptoms & Signs
Symptoms most commonly occur within 72 hours after the last drink, but may occur up to 7 – 10 days after the last drink. Symptoms may get worse rapidly, and can include:
- Body tremors
- Mental status changes
- Agitation, irritability
- Confusion, disorientation
- Decreased attention span
- Decreased mental status
- Deep sleep that persists for a day or longer
- Stupor, sleepiness, lethargy
- Usually occurs after acute symptoms
- Delirium (severe, acute loss of mental functions)
- Excitement
- Fear
- Hallucinations (such as seeing or feeling things that are not present are most common)
- Highly sensitive to light, sound, touch
- Increased activity
- Mood changes rapidly
- Restlessness, excitement
- Seizures
- Most common in first 24 – 48 hours after last drink
- Most common in people with previous complications from alcohol withdrawal
- Usually generalized tonic-clonic seizures
- Symptoms of alcohol withdrawal
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Difficulty thinking clearly
- Fatigue
- Feeling jumpy or nervous
- Feeling shaky
- Headache, general, pulsating
- Insomnia (difficulty falling and staying asleep)
- Irritability or easily excited
- Loss of appetite
- Nausea
- Pale skin
- Palpitations (sensation of feeling the heart beat)
- Rapid emotional changes
- Sweating, especially the palms of the hands or the face
- Vomiting
Additional symptoms that may occur:
- Chest pain
- Fever
- Stomach pain
Diagnosis & Tests
Delirium tremens is a medical emergency.
The health care provider will perform a physical exam. Signs may include:
- Heavy sweating
- Increased startle reflex
- Irregular heartbeat
- Problems with eye muscle movement
- Rapid heart rate
- Rapid muscle tremors
The following tests may be done:
- Chem-20
- Electrocardiogram (ECG)
- Electroencephalogram (EEG)
- Toxicology screen
-
Delirium tremens : Overview, Causes, & Risk Factors
-
Delirium tremens : Symptoms & Signs, Diagnosis & Tests
-
Delirium tremens : Treatment
Review Date : 3/3/2009
Reviewed By : David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only — they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. © 1997- 2010 A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.
