DELIRIUM TREMENS
delirium tremens / delirium tremens. [Lot. delirium = aiurore, de. la delirare = a iesi din Brazda, a iesi ({in iinia dreaptd (de = separat de; lira = firazda); tremere = a tremura.] Stare de *confuzie mentala care poate aparea la un alcoolic cronic dupa un *sevraj brutal, o infectie sau un traumatism. SubiectuI afectat retraieste scene din viata sa sau are *halucinatii (*zoopsii) cu animale dezgustatoare sau periculoase: sobolani, serpi. In forma acuta (rara) apar tremu-raturi generalizate, de unde denumirea bolii. De obicei, d. t. evolueaza paroxistic, In cateva zile, si se Insoteste de febra, transpiratii si deshidratare. Forma clinica Intalnita de obicei este una atenuata (delir alcoolic subacut), denumita predeli-rium tremens.(DTs) A distinct neurologic disorder suffered by late-inthe-
game alcoholics, characterized by sensory confusion (is it red or sour, hot or loud,
smelly or wet, am I thinking or screaming); part of the problem is the result of
diminished myelination of nerves and decreased brain antioxidant insulation (cholesterol),
with nerve impulses "shorting out" across temporary synapses. It sounds ugly.