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Delirium is a serious and sudden change in a person's mental state. It is not a disease, but a sign of another medical problem. A person with delirium may become very confused, agitated, and unaware of their surroundings. This change happens quickly, over a few hours or days.
read more about delirium ...Delirium is caused by a new, sudden disturbance in the brain. The most common cause is a severe illness or infection, like a urinary tract infection (UTI) or pneumonia, especially in older adults. Other causes include surgery, dehydration, low oxygen, a bad reaction to a medicine, or stopping alcohol or drugs.
The symptoms of delirium can change throughout the day. A person may be unable to pay attention or think clearly. They might not know where they are or what day it is. Some people become very restless and agitated. Others become very sleepy, quiet, and withdrawn. Seeing things that are not there (hallucinations) is also common.
A doctor diagnoses delirium by talking to the person and their family. The doctor will ask about the person's normal thinking and how quickly the confusion started. They will also do a physical exam and run tests. Blood tests, urine tests, and imaging scans can help the doctor find the underlying medical problem that is causing the delirium.
The most important treatment for delirium is to find and fix the underlying cause. For example, if a UTI is the cause, the doctor will give antibiotics. While the person is in the hospital, the goal is to keep them safe. This includes making sure they are hydrated, have their glasses and hearing aids, and have family members nearby to help calm them.
Delirium does not always look like agitation. There are different types. In "hyperactive" delirium, the person is restless, pacing, and may be hallucinating. In "hypoactive" delirium, the person is surprisingly sleepy, sluggish, and withdrawn. Hypoactive delirium is often missed or mistaken for depression because the person is quiet, but it is just as serious and requires the same urgent medical attention.
No. Dementia is a slow, long-term decline in memory. Delirium is a sudden, fast change in confusion that is temporary. A person with dementia, however, is at a very high risk of getting delirium.
Delirium usually lasts for a few days to a week. Once the underlying medical problem is treated, the person's thinking will slowly return to normal.
Sometimes. In the hospital, you can help prevent it by making sure your loved one stays hydrated, moves around if possible, and gets good sleep.
You must get medical help immediately if a person shows signs of delirium. A sudden, new state of confusion is a medical emergency. You should call 911 or go to an emergency room. It is a sign that there is a serious underlying illness that needs to be treated right away.
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3. Cognitive Health and Older Adults. National Institute on Aging. https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/brain-health/cognitive-health-and-older-adults. June?11,?2024.
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