Multiple Dyselectrolytemia in a Chronic Alcohol Abuser: A Case Report

Electrolyte disorders in alcohol-dependent patients can be due to a multitude of reasons. We discuss a patient with diabetes mellitus, seizure disorder, and alcoholism who presented with seizure episodes and vomiting following a binge alcohol intake. The evaluation showed life-threatening metabolic...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Curēus (Palo Alto, CA) CA), 2023-03, Vol.15 (3), p.e36389
Main Authors: Meenashi Sundaram, Dakshin, Madesh, Vijaya Prakash, Rambrahma Reddy, Donthireddy, Baliga, Krishna
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Acidosis
Alcohol use
Alcoholism
Alkalosis
Case reports
Clinical significance
Convulsions & seizures
Creatinine
Electrolytes
Glucose
Hyperglycemia
Hypocalcemia
Hypokalemia
Hyponatremia
Insulin
Internal Medicine
Laboratories
Metabolism
Nephrology
Patients
Phosphorus
Potassium
Rhabdomyolysis
Sodium
Urine
Vomiting
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Summary:Electrolyte disorders in alcohol-dependent patients can be due to a multitude of reasons. We discuss a patient with diabetes mellitus, seizure disorder, and alcoholism who presented with seizure episodes and vomiting following a binge alcohol intake. The evaluation showed life-threatening metabolic derangements that included hyponatremia, hypokalemia, hypomagnesemia, hypocalcemia, hypochloremia, hypophosphatemia with elevated blood glucose, and metabolic alkalosis with a normal anion gap. Subsequently, a detailed urinary analysis revealed a urinary loss of electrolytes. We emphasize that alcohol-induced tubular injury is a possibility when such a clinical presentation is seen in the emergency room. The complex interplay of various electrolytes in homeostasis posed a great challenge in the management of this patient. Our case reiterates this intricate electrolyte correction policy.
ISSN:2168-8184
2168-8184
DOI:10.7759/cureus.36389