Delirium
Causes
Delirium is most often caused by physical or mental illness, and is usually temporary and reversible. Many disorders cause delirium. Often, the conditions are ones that do not allow the brain to get oxygen or other substances.
Causes include:
•Alcohol or sedative drug withdrawal
•Drug abuse
•Electrolyte or other body chemical disturbances
•Infections such as urinary tract infections or pneumonia
•Poisons
•Surgery
Symptoms
Delirium involves a quick change between mental states (for example, from lethargy to agitation and back to lethargy).
Symptoms include:
•Changes in alertness (usually more alert in the morning, less alert at night)
•Changes in feeling (sensation) and perception
•Changes in level of consciousness or awareness
•Changes in movement (for example, may be slow moving or hyperactive)
•Changes in sleep patterns, drowsiness
•Confusion (disorientation) about time or place
•Decrease in short-term memory and recall
•Disorganized thinking, such as talking in a way that doesn't make sense
•Emotional or personality changes•Incontinence
•Movements triggered by changes in the nervous system
Treatment
The goal of treatment is to control or reverse the cause of the symptoms. Treatment depends on the condition causing delirium. The person may need to stay in the hospital for a short time.
Stopping or changing medications that worsen confusion, or that are not necessary, may improve mental function. After asking about your medical history, your doctor will discuss medicines and substances that can worsen confusion, such as alcohol.
Treating medical and mental disorders often greatly improves mental function.
Medicines may be needed to control aggressive or agitated behaviors. These are usually started at very low dosages and adjusted as needed.
Other treatments that may be helpful:
•Behavior modification to control unacceptable or dangerous behaviors
•Reality orientation tAo reduce disorientation