Alcoholic Tremors

By Kayla Loibl | Last Edited: December 20, 2020 | 4 Sources

Alcohol Withdrawal Symptoms

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Treatment for alcoholic tremors

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The symptoms of alcohol withdrawal can be fatal

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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.

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.

If you found this page helpful, then the following may be of interest to you: Alcohol Treatment Programs. Options for treatment to consider besides AA. Are You An Alcoholic?. Find the truth by taking a self-screening test. Alcohol Detox. What to expect when you stop drinking. Alcohol Abuse Treatments. Comparison of treatments used for alcohol abuse? Free Drinking Assessment. Free alcohol counseling and Consultation. Stages of Alcoholism. Signs and symptoms of the three stages of alcoholism.

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