Severe complication of alcoholism - toxic edema of the brain in alcoholics

Alcoholic illness is accompanied by many injuries to internal organs. They develop gradually, with prolonged abuse of alcohol. Some of them can lead to death. One of these conditions is cerebral edema with alcoholism.

The intake of toxic doses in a person first results in impaired coordination, inadequate behavior. Later there is an oppression of consciousness. If you do not help, a coma develops, which often ends in death.

The essence of the problem

Alcoholic disease is a complex of pathological processes developing in many internal organs under the influence of alcohol. The causes of brain edema after alcohol are associated with intoxication of the body. And this impact should be regular. When alcoholic disease is affected:

• liver;
• heart;
• brain and peripheral nervous system;
• of the kidney;
• pancreas.

In the organs there are conditions of dystrophy and edema, which leads to a disruption of their function and a gradual complete destruction of the tissue structure.

Brain edema is a condition caused by various causes, in particular, prolonged use of alcohol. The essence of this condition is the impregnation of brain cells with liquid. This leads to compression and development of clinical manifestations.
Cells under the influence of ethyl alcohol perish, in their place appears a liquid - the swelling of the tissue develops.

Important! At a blood alcohol concentration of about 5000 mg / l( 0.5 l 90% alcohol) death may occur.

Clinical picture

Symptomatic of alcoholic edema of the brain is similar to that of edema of another etiology. To suspect cerebral edema in alcoholics the appearance of the patient helps:

• is a typical physique with thin limbs and a large belly;
• facial swelling;
• dry skin with bruises, scaling.

For the pathology the following manifestations are characteristic:

• persistent headache, which can not be treated with anesthetics;
• impaired sensation in the face and neck;
• nausea, resulting in vomiting;
• change of respiratory rate from increasing to decreasing;
• various vision problems;
• gradual fading of consciousness;
• heart palpitations;
• development of seizures.

With the onset of seizures and the destruction of the cranial nerves in the medulla oblongata, death soon comes.

Diagnosis of the

condition To establish cerebral edema from alcohol, a complete history is collected as far as possible. The data of the clinical examination are taken into account. From instrumental methods are applied:

• electroencephalography - recording of electrical brain activity;
• angiography - examination of the vessels of the brain with the help of an X-ray apparatus;
• isotopic scanning;
• pneumoencephalography - a study of the ventricles of the brain;
• computed tomography.

Is it possible to cure?

Like any acute condition, cerebral edema after alcohol requires hospitalization of the patient in the hospital, in the intensive care unit. Treatment begins with conservative therapy, if it does not have the proper effect, surgical help is connected. The measures of emergency conservative therapy include:

• oxygen therapy with moistened oxygen;
• infusion therapy for detoxification;
• concurrently conducted forced diuresis by Lasik and Diakarb;
• anti-edema therapy;
• hormone therapy;
• improved blood supply to the brain.

Surgical treatment of toxic brain edema lies in:

• ventriculotomy - catheterization of the ventricles of the brain to remove fluid from them;
• trepanation of the skull with the removal of the bone fragment - the procedure is aimed at preventing the wedging of the brain.

After elimination of an acute condition - toxic edema of the brain - rehabilitation medication is prescribed:

• means for treating alcohol dependence - Esperal, Teturam, Kolme;
• sedatives - Phenazepam, Relanium;
• nootropic drugs - Pantogam, Cavinton, Elkar;
• neuroprotection - Cerebrolysin, Actovegin.

Brain edema can be complicated by some conditions:

• wedging the brain into the large occipital foramen, which leads to disruption of the
• function of vital organs and death;
• irreversible focal symptoms - with compression of edematous areas of the brain and their atrophy.

Conclusion

Alcoholic illness often leads to death. One of the reasons for this is cerebral edema. It is extremely important to notice the beginning signs of this condition in time to prevent the occurrence of complications. In time, the intensive therapy started will restore the state of the brain.

After treatment, it is important for the patient to decide to fight alcoholism. The solution to the problem is a complete rejection of any alcoholic beverages. Patients should undergo further treatment in specialized clinics and rehabilitation centers. Return to alcoholism can lead to a relapse of edema and death.