What is Delirium?
Delirium is a diseases that cause inflammation and infection in the brain resulting in an abrupt change in the brain that causes mental confusion and emotional disruption such as pneumonia . It makes it difficult to
- think,
- remember,
- sleep,
- pay attention, and more.
Delirium is temporary and can be treated.
Types of Delirium
Delirium is categorized by
- its cause,
- severity, and
- characteristics:
Delirium tremens is a severe form of the condition suffered by people who are trying to stop drinking. Usually, they have been drinking large amounts of alcohol for many years.
Hyperactive delirium is characterized by being highly alert and uncooperative.
Hypoactive delirium is more common. With this type, you tend to sleep more and become inattentive and disorganized with daily tasks. You might miss meals or appointments.
Some people have a combination of both hyperactive and hypoactive delirium, alternating between the two states.
Symptoms of Delirium
Delirium affects
- your mind,
- emotions,
- muscle control, and
- sleep patterns.
You might have a hard time concentrating or feel confused as to your whereabouts. You may also move
- more slowly or quickly than usual, and
- experience mood swings.
Other symptoms include:
- sleeping poorly and feeling drowsy,
- reduced short-term memory and
- not thinking or speaking clearly
- loss of muscle control (for example, incontinence).
Delirium Diagnosis
Confusion assessment method:-
Your doctor will observe your symptoms and examine you to see if you can think, speak, and move normally. Some health practitioners use the Confusion Assessment Method (CAM) to diagnose or rule out delirium. The doctor observes whether or not:
- you have a hard time paying attention or following others as they speak,
- you’re rambling and your behavior changes throughout the day, especially if you’re hospitalized.
Tests and exams
Many factors can cause changes in brain chemistry. 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 imbalances:
- liver tests,
- chest X-ray,
- blood chemistry test,
- head scans,
- drug and
- alcohol tests,
- thyroid tests and
- urine tests.
Treatment of Delirium
Depending on the cause of the delirium, treatment may include
- taking or stopping certain medications.
In older adults, an accurate diagnosis is important for treatment, as delirium symptoms are similar to dementia — but the treatments are very different.
Medications
Your doctor will prescribe medications to treat the underlying cause of delirium. For example, if your delirium is caused by a severe asthma attack, you might need an inhaler or breathing machine to restore your breathing. If a bacterial infection is causing the delirium symptoms, antibiotics may be prescribed. In some cases, your doctor may recommend that you stop drinking alcohol or stop taking certain medications (such as codeine or other drugs that depress your system).
If you’re agitated or depressed, you may be given small doses of one of the following medications:
- dopamine blockers to help with drug poisoning,
- thiamine to help prevent confusion.
Counseling and antidepressants to relieve the depression sedatives to ease alcohol withdrawal.
If you’re feeling disoriented, counseling may help to anchor your thoughts.
Counseling is also used as a treatment for people whose delirium was brought on by drug or alcohol use. In these cases, the treatment is to help the individual abstain from using the substances that brought on the delirium.
In all cases, counseling is intended to make you comfortable and give you a safe place to discuss your thoughts and feelings.
Recovering from delirium
Full recovery from delirium is possible with the right treatment. It can take up to a few weeks for you to think, speak, and feel physically like your old self. You might have side effects from the medications used to treat this condition.
Risk factors for Delirium
If you’re over 65 or have numerous health conditions, you’re more at risk for delirium. Others who have increased risk of delirium include:
- people withdrawing from alcohol and drug misuse,
- those who’ve experienced conditions that damage the brain (for example, stroke and dementia),
- people who are under extreme emotional stress and surgery patients.
The following factors may also contribute to delirium:
- dehydration,
- poor nutrition and
- sleep deprivation,
- certain medications (such as sedatives, blood pressure medications, sleeping pills, and painkillers),
- infection (for example, urinary tract infection)