What is a common physical symptom of severe alcohol withdrawal?

What is a common physical symptom of severe alcohol withdrawal?

• A. Weight gain
• B. Hypertension
• C. Dehydration
• D. Hypoglycemia

Answer: (B)

Severe alcohol withdrawal can lead to a range of physical symptoms, one of the most significant being hypertension. During withdrawal, the body reacts to the absence of alcohol, which can lead to a sympathetic nervous system response characterized by increased levels of norepinephrine. This heightened response can result in elevated blood pressure as the cardiovascular system becomes hyperactive. Understanding the physiology behind alcohol withdrawal helps clarify why hypertension is a key symptom. Chronic alcohol consumption depresses the central nervous system, and when the intake suddenly ceases, the body can experience a rebound effect, causing symptoms like agitation, tremors, and notably, increased blood pressure. This is often associated with other symptoms of severe withdrawal, such as tachycardia and increased respiratory rate, further indicating an overstimulation of the cardiovascular system. In contrast, while dehydration and hypoglycemia can occur in alcohol withdrawal, they are not as directly associated with the body's acute physiological response as hypertension is. Weight gain is typically not a symptom of withdrawal; rather, individuals may experience weight loss due to decreased appetite and poor nutrition, which are common in those with alcohol use disorder. Understanding these physiological mechanisms is crucial for recognizing and managing the symptoms of severe alcohol withdrawal.

Severe alcohol withdrawal can lead to a range of physical symptoms, one of the most significant being hypertension. During withdrawal, the body reacts to the absence of alcohol, which can lead to a sympathetic nervous system response characterized by increased levels of norepinephrine. This heightened response can result in elevated blood pressure as the cardiovascular system becomes hyperactive.

Understanding the physiology behind alcohol withdrawal helps clarify why hypertension is a key symptom. Chronic alcohol consumption depresses the central nervous system, and when the intake suddenly ceases, the body can experience a rebound effect, causing symptoms like agitation, tremors, and notably, increased blood pressure. This is often associated with other symptoms of severe withdrawal, such as tachycardia and increased respiratory rate, further indicating an overstimulation of the cardiovascular system.

In contrast, while dehydration and hypoglycemia can occur in alcohol withdrawal, they are not as directly associated with the body's acute physiological response as hypertension is. Weight gain is typically not a symptom of withdrawal; rather, individuals may experience weight loss due to decreased appetite and poor nutrition, which are common in those with alcohol use disorder. Understanding these physiological mechanisms is crucial for recognizing and managing the symptoms of severe alcohol withdrawal.