Alcohol withdrawal

What Is Alcohol withdrawal?

Alcohol withdrawal is generally known as Alcohol Withdrawal Syndrome (AWS). It is characterized by some typical symptoms when a heavy and regular drinker suddenly reduces or stops the alcohol consumption.

What Are The Symptoms Of Alcohol withdrawal?

After six hours of alcohol withdrawal, the symptoms may start to appear. The drinker can be associated with at least two signs of the following:

• Tremors, Anxiety
• Nausea, Vomiting
• A headache, Increased Heart Rate, High Blood Pressure
• Sweating
• Irritability, confusion, insomnia
• Nightmares

The acute Alcohol Withdrawal Syndrome is termed as Delirium Tremens (DT). Some of its symptoms are as follows:

• Extreme confusion, extreme agitation
• Fever, Seizures
• Tactile hallucinations, where a person can experience a sense of burning, itching, or numbness that isn’t actually happening.
• Auditory hallucinations, where a person can hear peculiar sounds that don’t exist in reality.
• Visual hallucinations or viewing images that don’t exist.

What Are The Causes Of Alcohol withdrawal?

Excessive drinking can irritate and excite the nervous system. If a person drinks on a regular basis, then his/her body starts depending on the alcohol day by day. Gradually, the central nervous system becomes alcohol dependent and then it can’t adapt itself to the lack of alcohol environment easily. If a person suddenly reduces or stops drinking the amount of alcohol he/she used to consume regularly, then the Alcohol Withdrawal Syndrome can happen.

What Are The Things One Should Do To Manage Alcohol withdrawal?

For Patients

• Sometimes, the heavy drinkers can suffer from malnutrition. So, regular consumption of healthy diet is important.
• Regular sufficient sleep is important in order to overcome the side effects of Alcohol Withdrawal Syndrome.

For Parents

• If any of the symptoms stated above start to arise, take him/her for a medical check-up as soon as possible.
• Your mental support and motivation will help him/her to overcome this situation.

What Are The Things One Should Avoid To Manage Alcohol withdrawal?

For Patients

• Don’t be afraid or anxious too much.
• Do not stop alcohol suddenly, if you have been a heavy drinker. Reduce the intake slowly. The more preferred thing is to get rid of alcoholism under doctor’s supervision.

For Parents

• Don’t leave them alone for a longer time.
• Don’t neglect the symptoms.

What Are The Best Foods For Alcohol withdrawal?

Fruits and Vegetables: Fruits and vegetables contain a high amount of fiber that is helpful for the patients withdrawing from alcohol.

Whole Grains: Carbohydrates provide energy and fiber, which is vital for the recovery from the Alcohol Withdrawal Syndrome.

Foods containing Vitamin-B: Long time consumption of alcohol can decrease the Vitamin-B level. So, it is important to take Vitamin-B rich foods such as Broccoli, Asparagus, Salmon, and Romaine Lettuce.

Proteins low in fat: Proteins low in fat can be ideal foods for their positive effect on energy and mood.

Cayenne Pepper: Cayenne pepper added foods can increase appetite and decrease alcohol cravings.

What Are The Worst Foods For Alcohol withdrawal?

• Sugar: Sugar is responsible for enhancing the depression.
• Artificial Sweeteners: Artificial sweeteners can elevate the risk of depression and bad for the mental well-being.
• Alcohol: Alcohol works as a depressant that means the central nervous system’s working order can get depressed for alcohol.
• Hydrogenated oil: Hydrogenated oil is linked with depression. Foods with this oil are margarine, packaged snacks, baked foods, etc.
• Fast Food: It can affect one’s mental well-being. Such foods are burgers, pizzas, etc.
• Trans Fats: Trans fats can increase the risk of depression. Such foods are pies, cookies, doughnuts, cakes, chips, etc.
• High-Sodium Foods: They are directly connected to depression.
• Coffee: Coffee can increase the existing anxiety.

What Are The Medicines For Alcohol withdrawal?

What Are The Tips To Manage Alcohol withdrawal?

The Alcohol Withdrawal Syndrome should not be taken too lightly. Proper medication and a balanced diet are important to overcome this situation.