When a person has a sudden change in their mental status, they may find it hard to pay attention or think clearly. Delirium is more severe and can require hospitalization.
The sudden change in mental abilities can lead to confusion and a lack of awareness. Delirium can occur in just a few days or hours. It can be caused by a variety of factors. Some of these include an imbalanced body, a long illness, or an infection. Other conditions such as drug use or withdrawal can also cause a person to experience this disorder.
Delirium can be categorized into three types: hypoactive, hyperactive, and mixed. Hypoactive refers to an individual who is not moving or engaging in any activity. Hyperactive individuals tend to be restless and agitated.
The easiest type to recognize is hyperactive delirium. People with this condition tend to be restless and have rapid mood swings. They may also resist medical care.
With Hypoactive delirium, this condition is characterized by an inactive or reduced activity level. People with this disorder often don’t interact with others and may feel drowsy or sluggish.
The symptoms of mixed delirium include both types of delirium. Individuals may suddenly become sluggish or restless.
About 75% of individuals with delirium are affected by hypoactive delirium. Although this condition is more common, healthcare providers may misdiagnose it as depression. People who experience both types of mania can become extremely alert and drowsy in just a minute.
What causes delirium?
There exist many causes of delirium and some may include;
Some of the other causes of delirium include drugs or alcohol. For some individuals, alcohol withdrawal syndrome is a serious condition that occurs when they stop drinking.
Severe pain
Sleep deprivation
Surgeries, including reactions to anesthesia
Organ failure, such as kidney or liver failure
Poisoning
Serious illnesses
Metabolic disorders
Other drugs can also cause delirium. These include sedatives or opioids. Withdrawal may occur after stopping a medication.
Dehydration and electrolyte imbalances
Dementia
Hospitalization, especially in intensive care
Infections, such as urinary tract infections, pneumonia, and flu
What are the signs and symptoms?
The symptoms of delirium usually appear in a few hours or days. They can be triggered by a medical condition, and they can come and go throughout the day. At night, they tend to get worse as the surroundings become less familiar.
The primary symptoms may include;
One of the symptoms of delirium is a reduction in awareness of surroundings. This can be caused by the person becoming stuck on a particular topic or situation.
Those with this condition may also develop memory problems, such as forgetting recent actions. In addition, they may have trouble recalling certain words.
Behavior and emotional changes
These may include;
Slowed movement or being sluggish
Changes in sleep habits
A switched night-day sleep-wake cycle
Being restless, anxious or combative
Calling out, moaning or making other sounds
Being quiet and withdrawn — especially in older adults
Personality changes
Seeing things that others don’t see
Being restless, anxious or combative
A sense of feeling elated
Lack of interest and emotion
Quick changes in mood
Anxiety, fear or distrust of others
Depression
A short temper or anger
Is delirium the same as dementia?
Although there are similarities between dementia and delirium, the former mainly affects a person’s attention. Dementia, on the other hand, affects memory.
The condition that causes a person to feel confused and suddenly become unstable is known as delirium. People with dementia can also develop these symptoms. They should seek immediate medical help if they start to feel these symptoms.
It can be hard to tell the difference between dementia and delirium due to their similarities. The former can cause hallucinations, and its symptoms can last for several hours or days. On the contrary, dementia doesn’t cause hallucinations, and its symptoms can last for months or even years.
Both conditions can affect a person’s thinking skills and memory. With dementia, a person’s ability to remember things gradually declines. The most common cause of this disease is Alzheimer’s disease.
Although delirium is often associated with people with dementia, it does not always mean that they have the disease. In fact, it’s important to avoid performing tests on people with dementia when they have delirium.
How is delirium diagnosed?
In order to identify potential issues with a person’s vision, orientation, and attention, healthcare providers often perform simple tasks.
How can delirium be diagnosed?
Delirium can be diagnosed if an individual can’t focus or shift attention.
Developing a rapid onset of thinking problems and changes in thinking which may happen through out the day.
When do you have to see a doctor for delirium?
If a loved one or friend has symptoms of delirium, you should talk to their health care provider. Aside from diagnosing the disorder, your input can also help the provider find a cause of the illness.
If you notice that an individual in a nursing home or hospital has symptoms of delirium, you should inform the facility’s staff members and health care provider. Older people are more prone to developing this condition.
Can delirium be prevented?
Before an operation, it’s important that an individual’s mental status is checked. Having a baseline can help the provider determine if an individual has a high risk of developing delirium.
Getting the proper treatment can also help prevent patients from developing delirium. In order to do so, hospitals can avoid using sedatives and ensure that the room is quiet and well-lit, among other measures.
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