Summary
Definition
History and exam
Key diagnostic factors
- alcohol use
- change in mental status
- hallucinations
- seizures
- delusions
Other diagnostic factors
- tremor
- nausea and vomiting
- hypertension
- tachycardia
- hyperthermia
Risk factors
- history of alcohol withdrawal syndrome (AWS) and delirium tremens
- abrupt withdrawal of alcohol
Diagnostic investigations
1st investigations to order
- BUN and serum creatinine
- liver function tests
- ethanol
- electrolyte panel
- CBC
- CT of head
- chest x-ray
Treatment algorithm
all patients
Contributors
Authors
Hong K. Kim, MD, MPH
Assistant Professor
Department of Emergency Medicine
University of Maryland School of Medicine
Baltimore
MD
Disclosures
HKK declares that he has no competing interests.
Nicholas J. Connors, MD
Associate Professor
Department of Emergency Medicine
Medical University of South Carolina
Charleston
SC
Disclosures
NJC declares that he has no competing interests.
Peer reviewers
Kinjal Sethuraman, MD, MPH
Associate Director
International Emergency Medicine
Long Island Jewish Hospital
New York
NY
Disclosures
KS declares that he has no competing interests.
Paul S. Haber, MD
Royal Prince Alfred Hospital and Discipline of Medicine
The University of Sydney
Sydney
Australia
Disclosures
PSH is an author of a reference cited in this monograph.
Differentials
- Sympathomimetic intoxication
- Hepatic encephalopathy
- Encephalitis
More DifferentialsGuidelines
- Assessment and management of alcohol dependence and withdrawal in the acute hospital
- Management of alcohol withdrawal
More GuidelinesCalculators
Alcohol Consumption Screening AUDIT Questionnaire
More CalculatorsLog in or subscribe to access all of BMJ Best Practice
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