Alcoholic Tremors

Alcohol Withdrawal Symptoms

Treatment for alcoholic tremors
The symptoms of alcohol withdrawal can be fatal

Tremors are one of the most recognized alcoholism symptoms and typically occur during withdrawal from alcohol. The National Institutes of Health report that alcoholic tremors usually occur within 72 hours of taking your last drink, but they can occur up to ten days after you stop drinking. These tremors may just involve shaky hands but often include full body tremors. Sometimes referred to as delirium tremens, this condition is considered a medical emergency because someone in this condition can experience life-threatening complications like seizures, severe vomiting leading to dehydration, chest pain and heart problems, and serious psychiatric problems such as hallucinations.

If you or someone you know begins to experience tremors you think are related to drinking, you should go to the nearest emergency room right away. Don’t try to drive yourself to the emergency room; if no one is available to drive you, call 911 and go by ambulance.

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Treatment for Alcoholic Tremors

Treatment for these tremors usually involves hospitalization for at least a few days, until the danger has passed. Your vital signs, including your pulse, respirations, and blood pressure will be monitored closely. You’ll be watched closely, since serious complications can occur at any time.

Blood tests will be done to check for electrolyte imbalances, vitamin deficiencies, and other problems. Your blood might also be tested to see how much alcohol is in your system and if you have any other drugs in your system. You might be given an electrocardiogram, a test that monitors your heartbeat to check for cardiac problems. If any abnormalities are found, you may be kept on a heart monitor for a while. Other tests will be ordered if necessary.

You will probably be given intravenous fluids to prevent or treat dehydration, possibly with some B vitamins in them to help with nutritional deficiencies common in people that drink too much (sometimes this IV treatment is referred to as a banana bag because the solution in the bag is yellow in color from the B vitamins in it). Intravenous fluids may help with nausea, too.

You may be given medication to help with tremors and to prevent seizures. You may be given medication to help with nausea and vomiting. If you’re hallucinating, you may be given antipsychotic medication to help with that, but those drugs are used with caution in people withdrawing from alcohol because they can increase the risk of seizures.

After the immediate danger has passed, you’ll need treatment to help you avoid drinking again in the future.

Other Alcoholism Symptoms During Withdrawal

Tremors aren’t the only symptom you might experience during withdrawal from alcohol and some of the other symptoms can be pretty serious. Other alcoholism symptoms you might experience include:

sweating heavily
pale skin
nausea and vomiting (may lead to dehydration, which can cause dizziness and fainting)
diarrhea (may lead to dehydration, which can cause dizziness and fainting)
loss of appetite
confusion, disorientation
trouble focusing on things
agitation, irritability
hallucinations (seeing and/or hearing things that aren’t really there)
depression
anxiety
rapid mood swings
feeling jumpy
restlessness
fatigue
trouble sleeping
deep sleep from which it is hard to awaken
headache
extreme sensitivity to light and sound
heart palpitations (feeling like your heart is pounding; it may or may not feeling like your heart is also skipping beats)
abnormally fast heartbeat
irregular heartbeat
unusual eye muscle movements
chest pain
stomach pain
fever (can be very high)
seizures

Again, some of these symptoms can be life-threatening, so seek medical attention right way. If you have any questions about alcoholic tremors, please contact us.