alcohol withdrawal symptoms

What are the symptoms of alcohol withdrawal after 72 hours?




 The symptoms of alcohol withdrawal can lead to a worsening of complications.
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The acute phase of alcohol withdrawal symptoms in most patients lasts from 5 to 10 days although some symptoms are more common in the first 48 hours followed by suspension. A small number of patients continue to exhibit symptoms after the acute phase, but most alcoholics see a decrease in effects after 72 hours if early warning signs are recognized. Untreated symptoms can lead to worsening of complications, some of which do not begin until after 72 hours.

Tremors
One of the early signs of abstinence from alcohol is tremor in the extremities. It may appear in prolonged cases of alcohol abuse as early as four hours after the last drink. The tremors are the first sign of a potential serious withdrawal that can lead to convulsions and hallucinations. The tremors are more acute in the first four to 72 hours, but often continue at some level of intensity until the patient is completely detoxified.

Seizures
Severe abstinence from alcohol that is not treated will develop more serious complications. Grand mal seizures usually present at the beginning of the abstinence stage rising around 24 hours, but 5 percent of 10 percent of patients continue to convulse for up to a week if acute abstinence is not treated medically, according to with National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.

Transient hallucinations
Hallucinations attack more or less 10 percent of alcoholics under a detoxification, according to the National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. Symptoms usually present quickly from alcohol suspension, but may extend beyond 72 hours in some cases. They are usually visual, but tactical hallucinations like the sensation of things crawling on the skin are also common in affected individuals. The detoxification process can take up to ten days, but the patient should see a stable decrease in acute symptoms after the third or fourth day.

Delirium tremens
Also known as DTs, delirium tremens often does not start until after about 72 hours of abstinence, but may be delayed for up to a week. It is the most serious complication of abstinence from alcohol. Untreated DTs have a fatal rate of 5 percent, according to the National Institute of Alcohol Abuse.

Symptoms include dramatic overactivity of the nervous system, which leads to rapid breathing, high blood pressure, rapid heartbeat and inconsistent body temperature. Night sweats are common, as well as acute dehydration. DTs also reduce blood flow to the brain causing confusion and disorientation. Sleep becomes difficult and the appearance of hallucinations is possible.