So what if alcohol is suddenly removed from picture? In that case, brain's GABA has fewer locations on which it can act to put on brakes. As a consequence, brain's cells become unmanageably over-active, and symptoms of delirium tremens ensue.

DTs are a medical emergency requiring hospitalization, generally in an intensive care unit. The patient needs intravenous fluids, vitamins, nutrition, and correction of salt-and-water imbalances in bloodstream. Drugs known as benzodiazepines are usually administered to relieve over-excitation of brain cells. The medical team searches for complications, like infections or irregular heartbeats, that require other treatments. Medical personnel monitor patient frequently. Family and friends provide valuable assistance by keeping patient calm.

But in delirium tremens old adage applies—an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. The best case is one that doesn't happen. Of course, this doesn't mean that a patient with alcohol dependence should continue drinking. Rather, it means that professional help should be enlisted in order to withdraw from alcohol safely.

This begs question of who has alcohol dependence in first place. More than one set of yardsticks exist, but "CAGE" questionnaire provides a simple and effective screen in which letters of word correspond to each of four questions:

C – Have you ever felt you should CUT down on your drinking?

A – Have people ANNOYED you by criticizing your drinking?

G – Have you ever felt bad or GUILTY about your drinking?

E – Have you ever had a drink first thing in morning to steady your nerves or get rid of a hangover (EYE-opener)?

A "yes" answer to one of four questions raises possibility of alcohol dependence. A "yes" answer to two of questions makes alcohol dependence likely, and help should be requested.

(C) 2005 by Gary Cordingley

Now, your next question may be, where can you find these all-essential home medical supplies that are intended for emergency purposes? You do not have to look far enough.

There are local home medical supply stores that offer discounted medical supplies. You can also access Internet to look for online suppliers that offer these items at reasonable prices and in their highest quality. The online community can really be an excellent resource for much-needed items to be added to your emergency home medical supply. First of all, it is very convenient. They offer a wide array of supplies exactly what you are looking for. They’re catalogs and product presentations are excellent reminders, if you forget to list up some items that you haven’t thought would be essential until you saw them and their descriptions.

You and your family’s security, safety and health should always be a foremost consideration. As such, if you are purchasing emergency home medical supplies in order to be secure against unexpected incidents, be sure also to double check if they are of highest quality. Horrible incidents may also arise because of unreliable and unsafe medical supplies, remember. -30-

For comments and inquiries about article visit http://www.onlinehomemedicalsupply.com/

Kay Zetkin is the author name used by Lala C. Ballatan. She discovered the pleasure of writing through her daily journals as a teen-ager.