Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with GoogleGet your health question answered instantly from our pool of 18000+ doctors from over 80 specialties
What Are These Symptoms Of My Dad Who Is Alcoholic Feeling Drowzy, Taking Burps And Restless ?
Hi, my father is 54 years old and is an alcoholic. He recently was admitted in the hospital for behaving abnormally. He was feeling drowzy, was taking burps, was in half senses and was very restless. LFT,KFT nd other tests are all normal and the ammonia test showed that it is high in comparison to what should be the normal in the body. But he got recovered and came back but it has been three days only and he is again showing all those symptoms. What shall we do and how shall we proceed on with the treatment? please help..
Thu, 3 Mar 2011
Hi Mr/Ms Gupta,
It seems that your father is suffering from delirium (acute confusional state). The reasons for delirium in a patient with alcohol use are so varied (both physical and psychological) that he will need a physician and a psychiatrist working together.
Has he stopped drinking suddenly? If so that is not good and if he is not being supported by some medication to stop his withdrawal then he is bound to have problems. Please check it up with whoever is treating him.
Good luck to you both
It seems that your father is suffering from delirium (acute confusional state). The reasons for delirium in a patient with alcohol use are so varied (both physical and psychological) that he will need a physician and a psychiatrist working together.
Has he stopped drinking suddenly? If so that is not good and if he is not being supported by some medication to stop his withdrawal then he is bound to have problems. Please check it up with whoever is treating him.
Good luck to you both
I find this answer helpful
Dear Gupta ji..
Your father appears to be suffering from Chronic hepatic failure secondary to long term alcohol use.
The symptoms listed by you along with the raised ammonia levels - indicate Hepatic Encephalopathy.
Though it is also possible that he has gone into Alcohol withdrawal delirium - however the fact thaT he has had recurrence of symptoms after recovery shows likelihood of encephalitis.
He will need admission into a hospital, low protein diet, regular monitoring of ammonia levels.
Has he ever vomitted blood ( oesophageal varices) or passed black coloured stools ? Hidden (occult) bleeding with re-bsorption of same in the gut can also cause these symptoms.
Bottomline: get him admitted to a hospital where a team of physician + psychiatrist works (as adviced by Dr Raghavendra above)
Your father appears to be suffering from Chronic hepatic failure secondary to long term alcohol use.
The symptoms listed by you along with the raised ammonia levels - indicate Hepatic Encephalopathy.
Though it is also possible that he has gone into Alcohol withdrawal delirium - however the fact thaT he has had recurrence of symptoms after recovery shows likelihood of encephalitis.
He will need admission into a hospital, low protein diet, regular monitoring of ammonia levels.
Has he ever vomitted blood ( oesophageal varices) or passed black coloured stools ? Hidden (occult) bleeding with re-bsorption of same in the gut can also cause these symptoms.
Bottomline: get him admitted to a hospital where a team of physician + psychiatrist works (as adviced by Dr Raghavendra above)
I find this answer helpful
1 Doctor agrees with this answer
Disclaimer: These answers are for your information only and not intended to replace your relationship with your treating physician.
This is a short, free answer.
For a more detailed, immediate answer, try our premium service
[Sample answer]
Related questions you may be interested in
Recent questions on Acute confusional state
Loading Online Doctors....