Delirium is a sudden change in a person’s mental function, which includes their ways of thinking and their behavior or level of consciousness. This change often affects memory and concentration. Show Medical professionals do not yet fully understand delirium, but it seems to have an association with older age, alcohol withdrawal, and certain medical conditions. In this article, we discuss different types of delirium and their associated symptoms. We also talk about delirium’s possible causes and risk factors. Finally, we cover diagnosis, treatment options, and when to see a doctor.
Delirium results in a sudden change in a person’s mental function, which can disrupt their ability to concentrate, think, remember, and sleep. It can also cause fluctuations in their level of consciousness. Delirium can occur as a result of aging, alcohol withdrawal, certain medications, and underlying medical conditions. According to the authors of a 2013 article, there is a link between delirium and adverse health outcomes, such as extended hospital stays, faster cognitive decline, and a higher likelihood of developing dementia. Delirium remains a poorly understood and potentially underdiagnosed condition. Doctors diagnose people with one of three types of delirium, which have different symptoms. The three types are:
Some people who have delirium do not experience any physical symptoms. Doctors will refer to this form of delirium as delirium without motor symptoms. All types of delirium can include the following symptoms:
Medical professionals do not know the exact cause of delirium. However, inflammation of the brain, imbalances in neurotransmitters, and chronic stress may all play a role in the onset of symptoms. Causes of delirium can include:
People over the age of 70 years have a higher risk of delirium. Other factors that can increase a person’s risk of delirium include:
Healthcare professionals pay attention to both the physical and psychological symptoms when diagnosing delirium. They can use a combination of cognitive health assessments, physical exams, and laboratory tests to help them diagnose delirium and identify the underlying cause. Confusion assessment methodHealthcare professionals can use the Confusion Assessment Method (CAM) to help them diagnose delirium. They will look for the following indications of delirium during a CAM assessment:
Physical testsAlong with the CAM assessment, healthcare professionals may use other tests to identify the underlying cause of delirium. The following tests can help them check for imbalances in a person’s brain chemistry or electrolyte levels and confirm the presence of any other medical conditions:
Delirium can cause symptoms that also appear in other medical conditions, such as dementia and psychosis. Healthcare professionals have to rule out these other conditions before they can diagnose and treat delirium. DementiaSimilar to delirium, dementia commonly affects older adults. According to the National Institute on Aging, approximately 50% of people aged 85 years or older may have some form of dementia. Dementia has numerous possible causes, which can include:
Unlike delirium, which usually resolves once doctors treat the underlying condition, no cure exists for dementia. Additionally, dementia typically develops over several years, whereas delirium has an acute onset, appearing within days or even hours. PsychosisPsychosis is a symptom of several health conditions. It disrupts the person’s thoughts and perceptions, making it difficult for them to identify with reality. Psychosis is relatively common. According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, as many as 3 in every 100 people will have an episode of psychosis during their lifetime. Causes of psychosis include:
People may experience the following symptoms during a psychotic break:
Unlike delirium, doctors use medication as the first-line treatment for psychosis. Share on PinterestA doctor may prescribe medication to treat the underlying cause of delirium.The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have not approved any medications for the treatment of delirium itself. The first-line treatment for delirium usually focuses on identifying and treating the underlying cause. If the delirium is due to a change in medication, stopping the offending medication may be all that is necessary. Doctors can prescribe medications to treat the underlying cause of delirium. For example, if someone has an untreated bacterial infection, a doctor is likely to prescribe a course of antibiotics. Doctors may prescribe low dosages of psychotropic medications to people who have severe or dangerous symptoms, such as extreme agitation or demonstrating violent behaviors. Examples of psychotropic medications that a doctor might prescribe include:
According to the authors of a 2018 review article, people may continue experiencing symptoms of delirium for several days to months after doctors start treating the underlying cause. People should contact a doctor or another healthcare professional if they or a loved one has a rapid change in mental state or shows any of the symptoms of delirium that we mention in this article. Delirium refers to a sudden change in mental status, which can result in confusion, memory issues, or changes in a person’s emotional state or state of consciousness. People should contact a doctor if they or a loved one experiences any of the symptoms of delirium. Infections, chemical imbalances, and certain medications can cause delirium. Early diagnosis and prompt treatment may decrease the risk of future complications. How do you know if its delirium or dementia?Delirium starts suddenly (over a period of one to two days) and symptoms often also vary a lot over the day. In contrast, the symptoms of dementia come on slowly, over months or even years. So if changes or symptoms start suddenly, this suggests that the person has delirium. Dementia with Lewy bodies is an exception.
What signs would tell you that a person was experiencing delirium?Probably the most easily recognized type, this may include restlessness (for example, pacing), agitation, rapid mood changes or hallucinations, and refusal to cooperate with care. Hypoactive delirium. This may include inactivity or reduced motor activity, sluggishness, abnormal drowsiness, or seeming to be in a daze.
What are 3 characteristics of delirium?The CAM diagnostic algorithm evaluates four key features of delirium: 1) Acute Change in Mental Status with Fluctuating Course, 2) Inattention, 3) Disorganized Thinking, and 4) Altered Level of Consciousness.
What is the best test for differentiating between delirium and dementia?Acute or chronic confusion occurs when a treatable illness, such as infection, brings on acute delirium in a patient with dementia. A combination of the Confusion Assessment Method (CAM) and the Mini-Mental State Exam (MMSE) is highly effective in differentiating the types of confusion, Dr.
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Which symptom would suggest that the patient is experiencing delirium instead of dementia?
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