Which symptom is commonly recognized as an early sign of impending delirium tremens?

Increasing irritability is indeed recognized as an early sign of impending delirium tremens (DTs). This symptom is significant because it can reflect the agitation and heightened sympathetic arousal commonly seen in alcohol withdrawal. As a person begins to experience alcohol withdrawal symptoms, irritability can manifest due to neurochemical changes in the brain resulting from the absence of alcohol, which has a depressant effect on the central nervous system.

Recognizing increasing irritability as an early symptom is crucial in clinical practice, as it allows healthcare providers to identify individuals at risk of progressing to more severe symptoms, such as confusion, hallucinations, and seizures, which characterize DTs. Early intervention can be vital in managing withdrawal and preventing the escalation of symptoms.

The other symptoms mentioned are important but generally indicate more advanced stages of withdrawal. Severe hallucinations, loss of motor coordination, and severe confusion tend to occur later in the course of withdrawal or in established delirium tremens, making increasing irritability a key early indicator.