Disease Insights: delirium
Welcome to the ultimate guide on delirium. Here, you'll find answers to the most common questions to help you or your loved ones understand and manage this condition better.
Description for delirium
An acute state of confusion and reduced awareness, often caused by illness or medications.
Symptoms of delirium
confusion, disorientation, fluctuating consciousness, hallucinations, inability to focus attention
Precautions for delirium
Ensure proper hydration and nutritio, Avoid medication that may cause co, Provide a calm environment, Seek medical care for underlying
Questions Covered:
- what is delirium?
- causes of delirium?
- What are the potential risk factors associated with delirium?
- What are the usual symptoms of delirium?
- How do doctors usually figure out if someone has delirium, diagnosis?
Answers:
Question: what is delirium?
Delirium is a sudden change in your alertness and thinking. People with delirium typically become confused and have trouble paying attention.
Delirium is an abrupt change to your mental state. It makes it difficult to think, remember, focus, and more. Some people with delirium become drowsy and quiet, while others can become agitated.
Symptoms of delirium generally appear quickly over a period of hours or days. The symptoms tend to fluctuate, meaning they are more severe at some times, and less severe at others.
You might experience delirium due to illness, infection, or medication side effects, among other reasons.
Delirium is a serious condition, but it's often temporary. Your doctor will treat delirium by finding and treating the underlying causes.
Question: causes of delirium?
Delirium happens when stressors like inflammation or infection interfere with your brain function. There are many possible causes.
The condition is very common among older adults who need hospital care. Around one-third of hospital patients over age 70 experience delirium at some point during their hospital stay. It's possible for younger people to experience delirium too, although it's less common.
Any condition or factor that significantly changes your brain function can cause severe mental confusion. These include:
certain medications, such as sedatives, blood pressure medications, sleeping pills, and pain relievers
acute illness
infections
worsening symptoms of a long-term (chronic) illness
lack of oxygen ' for example, breathing difficulties from asthma
blocked arteries (ischemia) ' for example, in the brain or heart
severe pain
dehydration
sleep deprivation
metabolic issues, such as low blood sugar or an electrolyte imbalance
alcohol withdrawal in people with long-term, heavy alcohol use
surgery or general anesthesia
Medication side effects are a major cause of delirium. Up to 39%
of the time, delirium is caused by medications.
Question: What are the potential risk factors associated with delirium?
In general, older adults with multiple health conditions are more likely to experience delirium. But it can happen in younger people, too.
Factors that may increase your risk for delirium include:
dementia, or symptoms of dementia without a formal diagnosis
age older than 70
male sex
a disability that makes it difficult to carry out basic tasks of living
living with multiple health conditions
impaired hearing or vision
mild cognitive impairment
symptoms of depression
alcohol use disorder
abnormal results on laboratory tests, such as blood or urine tests
Question: What are the usual symptoms of delirium?
Delirium affects your mind, emotions, movements, and sleep patterns.
You might have a hard time concentrating or feel confused about what's happening around you. You may also move more slowly or quickly than usual, and experience mood swings.
Other symptoms may include:
not thinking clearly
having trouble speaking clearly or participating in a conversation
being easily distracted
losing track of what time it is and where you are (disorientation)
sleeping poorly or feeling drowsy
sudden changes in your ability to carry out everyday activities, like eating or walking
difficulty remembering recent events
becoming agitated or paranoid
If alcohol withdrawal progresses to delirium, symptoms may include
:
confusion
hallucinations
rapid heart rate
high blood pressure
excessive sweating
dangerously high body temperature
agitation
Question: How do doctors usually figure out if someone has delirium, diagnosis?
A healthcare professional can diagnose you with delirium. Usually, this is done by a doctor or, in some cases, a nurse.
The clinician will observe your symptoms and examine you to see how you think, speak, and move.
Confusion assessment method
Many health professionals use the Confusion Assessment Method (CAM) to diagnose or rule out delirium. This is a screening test that helps them observe whether or not:
your behavior and mental state is fluctuating over time
you have a hard time paying attention or following others as they speak
you have trouble keeping your thoughts organized
you're experiencing an altered state of alertness
Tests and exams
Many factors can cause changes in brain chemistry and function. Your doctor will try to determine the cause of the delirium by running tests relevant to your symptoms and medical history.
One or more of the following tests may be needed
to check for underlying causes:
blood tests
chest X-ray
urine tests
electrocardiogram (EKG)
bladder imaging
Your doctor may also request other tests, depending on your symptoms.
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Conclusion & Takeaways
Learning about delirium is the first step toward taking control of your health. By understanding its causes, symptoms, and treatments, you empower yourself to make informed decisions. Remember to consult healthcare professionals for personalized advice and support.