List Archives

Mon, 17 Jun 2002 15:08:28 +0100

> Message: 3
> Date: Sun, 16 Jun 2002 21:46:09 +0300
> To: trauma-list@trauma.org
> From: Ira Hartman <ihartman1@bezeqint.net>
> Subject: Spasms and drunks
> Reply-To: trauma-list@trauma.org
> 
> We had a case recently that presents a puzzle to us.
> 18 yr old obviously drunk, smell vomiting etc.
> What was puzzling was that his limbs went into spasms 
> periodically during 
> transportation.
> I tried to do some Internet research on spasms with 
> drunkenness but came up 
> with zilch.
> were the spasms alcohol related or was there something else going on?
> Ira Hartman
> Israel

One possible explanation was hyponatraemia/ water intoxication- with a water
excess of over 7- 10 l or a the Sodium below about 120- 125 mM/ l cramps,
spasms and seizures can occur. This sodium level has been reported due to
voluntary beer consumption in medical students. Of course if he was drinking
spirits or wine then you can ignore this suggestion. Drop your search on
alcohol and just look at the fluid he had.
Other (? less likely) possibilities include contaminants . Ethylene glycol
(found in Central European wines a few years back) and methanol can both
cause fits- although especially in the case of methanol usually after quite
an interval, and in both cases I'd expect the patient to be generally very
unwell.

Matt Dunn
Warwick

This email has been scanned for viruses by NAI AVD however we are unable to
accept responsibility for any damage caused by the contents.
The opinions expressed in this email represent the views of the sender, not
South Warwickshire General Hospitals NHS Trust unless explicitly stated.
If you have received this email in error, please notify the sender.

List Archives

For your convenience, find the Trauma List Archive Below

Spasms and drunks