• Journal of Trauma and Injury
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.115-119
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• 2008

Purpose: Abrupt abstinence from alcohol in cause of chronic alcohol addiction can trigger alcohol withdrawal syndrome. The authors studied the effect of post-operative alcohol withdrawal syndrome in patients who require intensive care due to trauma. Methods: For the study group, we selected 70 patients who had undergone emergency surgery from May 2003 to March 2007 due to trauma and who had been treated with prophylactic thiamine. Data was collected retrospectively. We excluded those who extended their hospital stay for other than traumatic causes, those who died within 3 days of surgery after trauma, those who transferred to other institutions, and those who received a psychiatric diagnosis. Patient groups were determined by the existence or the non-existence of withdrawal syndrome. Age, sex, injury mechanism, mortality, complications, durations of hospital stay and intensive care, use of mechanical ventilator, and sedative use were investigated. A Chi-square test and The Mann-Whitney method were used for statistical analysis in this study. Results: Twenty-four (24) patients from the 58 who had an ISS of 16 or more showed alcohol withdrawal syndrome, and men were shown to be affected with the syndrome significantly more than women. Although ISS was higher in the group with alcohol withdrawal syndrome, statistically, the difference was not significant (P<0.08). The total hospital stay in the patient group with alcohol withdrawal syndrome was on average 10 days longer. However, the difference was not significant (P<0.054). The duration of intensive care in the patient group with alcohol withdrawal syndrome was significantly longer (P<0.029). The patients with alcohol withdrawal syndrome showed no significant difference in the duration of mechanical ventilator use (P<0.783), or in the duration of sedative use (P<0.284). Respiratory distress, pneumonia, upper airway infection, sepsis, acute renal failure, and mortality in the alcohol withdrawal syndrome group were investigated, but no statistically significant difference were noted. Conclusion: We found that the duration of intensive care in chronic alcohol abusers was longer due to the development of alcohol withdrawal syndrome. We also discovered that, when the patients overcame the symptoms of alcohol withdrawal syndrome after intensive care, no difference was found in the frequency of developing complications, the morbidity, and the mortality. Therefore, we conclude that intensive care in trauma patients who are chronic alcohol abusers decreases the incidence of complications found in patients with post-operative alcohol withdrawal syndrome and does not adversely impact the prognoses for those patients.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.495-501
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• 2001

Alcohol withdrawal syndrome includes two or more of the following symptoms: autonomic hyperactivity, increased hand tremor, insomnia, nausea or vomiting, hallucinations of illusions, psychomotor agitation, anxiety, grand mal seizures. Symptoms are usually relieved by administering brain depressant. In oriental medicine, Ju sang correspond to alcohol withdrawal syndrome. Galhwahaesung-tang has been used for the treatment of Ju sang. The authors treated 2 cases of alcohol withdrawal syndome with Galhwahaesung-tang and symptoms are markedly improved. So, We report these case with a brief review of related literatures.

• Journal of Oriental Neuropsychiatry
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.107-116
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• 2006

Delirium Tremens is the most terrible and dramatic syndrome in Alcohol Withdrawal Syndrome. Delirium Tremens is one of acute psychiatric symptoms and happens that a chronic drinker is suddenly off drinking for any reasons. In Oriental medicine, Alcohol Withdrawal Syndrome is comprised in a category of Jusang(酒傷). In this case, we described a 53-year old man who diagnosed as Delirium tremens. He suffered mental derangement and headache, and his condition was improved through oriental medical treatment.

• Journal of Trauma and Injury
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• v.36 no.3
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• pp.249-252
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• 2023

Neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS) is a rare but fatal condition, with a high mortality rate. NMS is characterized by altered mental status, fever, myoclonus, autonomic dysfunctions, and elevated creatinine phosphokinase. The clinical manifestations may be confused with alcohol-related symptoms, trauma, sepsis, postoperative agitation, or malignant hyperthermia. A 69-year-old male patient with alcohol withdrawal was admitted to the operating theatre to rule out septic shock due to mesenteric injury after multiple trauma. He was suspected NMS with abrupt increase body temperature to 41.7℃ after haloperidol administration. Active cooling and rapid fluid infusion was done during anesthesia. Delayed diagnosis and treatment of NMS lead to catastrophic result. Therefore, if the patient's past medical history is unknown or clinical symptoms develop that are suggestive of NMS, early treatment must be considered.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.33-38
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• 2007

Recently, the lifetime prevalence rate of alcoholism in Korea shows to be quite higher than that in American, European and Asian countries indicating approximately 11 %. Also prevalence rate of male adult alcoholism in total inpatient of a polyclinic hospital shows to be very high indicating 16.5 % to 38.2 %, and from this result it is could be supposed that considerable physical diseases are related with alcoholic problem. According to the disorder related with alcohol is one of the most important hygienic problems in our society. In spite of the development of medicine, there is no certain medication or method in the field of the adult diseases or cancers under the actual circumstances that foods and drugs have been taking approximately for the purpose of prevention; and from this viewpoint, functional foods proved to be physically effective compared to general foods have been developing and the natural substances that could increase the effectiveness of general food have been produced. Alcohol addiction has been inducing several social problems and according to the increasing trend following the development of society it is strongly required to develop the medication. Therefore the research regarding to the treatment for the alcohol addiction has been performed widely, and especially the attempt to developof new medication using herbal medicine has been performing as in the development of the medication for other diseases. This study was designed to investigate the effect of Glycyrrhizae Radix which is the representative herbal medicine and has been used widely in the preparation of herbal medicine on alcohol intake and alcohol withdrawal syndrome.

• Women's Health Nursing
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.109-116
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• 2000

In modern society, the amount of alcohol ingestion is increasing at a dangerous level, especially among women. One of reason for increased alcohol consumption is stress caused by social pressures. Alcohol is a kind of depressant of centric nervous system, so it can induce relaxation of body and decrease the stress. The evidence on the effects of alcohol on the fetus is somewhat hazy, whereas that of smoking is quite clear. The literature on the ingestion of alcohol strongly suggests that drinking during pregnancy is associated with teratogenic effect and low birth weight. Therefore, the adverse effect of alcohol ingestion during pregnancy must be informed to public. More remarkable warning sign about alcohol ingestion must be attached on the top of bottles. This can be an effective measure for public education. Also legal sanction or tax imposition for the production of liquor be required. First of all, drinking habit or drinking culture must be changed. In fact, the strongest motivation of drinking in adolescent is a peer pressure which is related to drinking habit or culture. Secondly, early detection and treatment must be required to prevent from fetal alcohol syndrome. Accordingly, drinking history of pregnant women must be assessed as early as possible and health professional should give a warning about the abstinence of alcohol to drinking women. Thirdly, to minimize the adverse effects for mother, withdrawal syndrome by alcohol ingestion must be treated. to correct the malformation by fetal alcohol syndrome(FAS) can be corrected. Sometimes surgical intervention may be required for this purpose.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.277-283
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• 2018

Objectives: Ethanol withdrawal following its chronic use is a serious outcome and challenging to treatment. The chronic use of ethanol induces a progressive neuroplasticity in different reigns of brain. In this study we evaluated the effects of aqueous extract of Crocus sativus L. (saffron) and its active compound, crocin, on the withdrawal behavior induced after repeated administration of ethanol, in two regimens of prophylactic (administration of drugs concomitant with the induction of dependence) and treatment (administration of drugs during the period of ethanol withdrawal) in mice which received ethanol. Methods: Ethanol dependence was induced by oral administration of 10% v/v ethanol (2 g/kg) for 7 days. The aqueous extracts of saffron (40, 80 and 160) and crocin (10, 20 and 40 mg/kg) were administered to mice in two regimens of prophylactic (along with ethanol) and treatment (during withdrawal period). Diazepam (1 mg/kg) was used as a positive control. Six hours after discontinuation of the ethanol, seizure was evaluated by the sub-convulsive dose of pentyleneltetrazole (PTZ) (30 mg/kg). The open field test and Rota rod test were used for evaluation of locomotor activity and motor incoordination, respectively. Results: Both extracts and crocin increased the number of crossed lined in the open field test. PTZ kindling seizure was inhibited in animals received extract (80 and 160 mg/kg) in both regimens. Motor incoordination was only improved following administration of crocin. Conclusion: The aqueous extract of saffron and crocin can be considered as safe agents and reliable alternative to diazepam in management of ethanol withdrawal syndrome.

• Korean Journal of Biological Psychiatry
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.178-190
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• 2006

Objectives : We investigated the relationship of the alcohol withdrawal symptoms with genetic polymorphism among alcohol dependence patients. Method : The measuring instruments used in this study were the Clinical Institute Withdrawal Assessment for Alcohol(CIWA-Ar). We analyzed DRD2 TaqI A polymorphism, dopamine transporter(DAT 1) polymorphism, and catechol-O-methyltransferase(COMT) polymorphism in 108 male alcoholics and 76 healthy controls. Results : The major findings was as follows. No significant differences for genotype distribution or allele frequency were revealed comparing controls and alcoholic patients. DRD2 Taq I : The subscale score of auditory hallucination among CIWA-Ar scale in homozygote was significantly higher than in heterozygote(OR=1.34). The total score of CIWA-Ar scale in heterozygote was significantly higher than in homozygote. DAT1 : In the subject without DAT-9 gene allele, it was significantly higher of the subscale score of sweating, anxiety among CIWA-Ar scale than in the subject with DAT-9 gene allele. And The total score of CIWA-Ar scale in the subject without DAT-9 gene allele was significantly higher than in the subject with DAT-9 gene allele. COMT : The total score of CIWA-Ar scale in heterozygote was significantly higher than in homozygote. Conclusion : Our results suggest the relationship between specific genetic factors and the withdrawal symptoms of alcohol dependent patients. As the candidate gene of the severity of alcohol withdrawal syndrome, DRD2 Taq1 gene was recommended.

• Women's Health Nursing
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• v.6 no.4
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• pp.549-565
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• 2000

Comprehensive review of the literature was conducted to determine 1) selected risk factors and its impact that affect pregnancy outcome such as smoking, alcohol consumption, and substance abuse 2) these factors can facilitate future strategies for health promotion and prevention for both pregnant women and fetus. Review of literature were extracted from searching MEDLINE(1966 - Oct. 2000). CINAHL (1982 - Oct. 2000) and the domestic literature. The following factors were identified: 1. The effects of risk behaviors on pregnancy. ${\cdot}$Maternal smoking was associated with the occurrence of premature or LBW delivery, fetal growth retardation, extremities defects, heart defects and sudden infant death syndrome. ${\cdot}$Maternal alcohol consumption was associated with spontaneous abortion, premature or LBW delivery, morphologic/neurologic problems, especially fetal alcohol syndrome. ${\cdot}$Heroin was associated with withdrawal after birth in which were born to heroine addicts for gestational age and lung maturation in animal studies. ${\cdot}$Cocaine was associated with spontaneous abortion, abruptio placenta and a poor response to environmental stimuli. ${\cdot}$So far, the effects of caffeine on pregnancy was controversial, but severe caffeine consumption was associated with premature or LBW delivery, spontaneous abortion, still birth and dystocia. 2. Intervention methods and its effects identified were as follows ${\cdot}$Conducted intervention for smoking, alcohol and drug consumption were single or combined. ${\cdot}$Intervention methods were counseling, phone contact, mailing, use of educational videotape, booklet, support person and alternatives such as nicotine patch. ${\cdot}$The interventions increased the rates of smoking cessation during pregnancy and awareness of the risk of drug consumption, and decreased amount of alcohol consumption. ${\cdot}$The intervention outcome found positive effect on birth weight and length. 3. Our recommendations were as follows ${\cdot}$The personal and social cognition should be enhanced through education and the mass media. ${\cdot}$It's necessary to educate and give information of preconceptional care, planned pregnancy and early prenatal care for optimal pregnancy outcome. ${\cdot}$It's necessary to develop comprehensive assessment tool which is reliable and valid on smoking, alcohol consumption and substance abuse to identify supportive or interventional program.

• The Korean Journal of Pharmacology
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• v.15 no.1_2 s.25
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• pp.21-27
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• 1979

It is well known that picrotoxin, an amaroid substance of Anamirta cocculus, is a classic stimulant on the central nervous system accompanying convulsive activity, and it liberates catecholameine from the adrenal mdulla through its central action to increase blood sugar level. Schou reported that lithium and alcohol have the similar inhibitory property on the $Na^+,\;K^+$-ATPase activity, and recently, the therapeutic efficacies of lithium on the alcohol withdrawal syndrome and the chronic alcoholics have been studied. Many studies about the hypoglycemic effect of lithium and alcohol were reported but the interaction between those hypoglycemic action is little known. Therefore, in this paper, the hypoglycemic effect of lithium and ethanol on the hyperglycemia induced with picrotoxin, and the interaction of them in those hypoglycemic action were investigated with reference to the anticonvulsive action of them. The results were obtained as follows: 1. The convulsive dose (: $CD__{50}$) of picrotoxin in mice was slightly increased by the pretreatment of lithium or ethanol. 2. The blood sugar level was markedly increased by picrotoxin but the level was sugar level was significantly decreased by lithium, ethanol or both. 3. The hyperglycemic effect of picrotoxin was significantly potentiated by the lithium pretreatment, but the potentiation effect of lithium was markedly suppressed by the additional injection of ethanol after lithium injection and more markedly suppressed by the premedication of ethanol before lithium injection 4. The hyperglycemic effect of picrotoxin was markedly inhibited by the ethanol pretreatment, and the inhibitory effect of ethanol was significantly strenthened by the additional injection of lithium after ethanol injection, but on the contrary, the inhibitory effect was completely disappeared by the premedication of lithium before ethanol injection.