Delirium: symptoms, causes, treatment, etc. & bull; hello healthy

Definition of delirium

What is delirium?

Delirium is a serious mental disorder that results in a person experiencing disorientation or confusion and reduced ability to pay attention to their surroundings. Sufferers often cannot think and remember clearly, so they are easily distracted.

This disorder usually occurs suddenly, quickly, and temporarily. Generally, people with delirium can experience confusion within hours or days, which may come and go.

Sometimes, the disorientation that occurs is often difficult to distinguish from the symptoms of dementia. Moreover, this condition also often occurs as you get older.

However, it should be understood, delirium is a more serious condition. Patients often require hospitalization. However, this mental disorder can still be treated with various medical treatments that are given.

How common is this condition?

Delirium is a mental health disorder that is common in older people or the elderly, and people with certain health conditions who are hospitalized or nursing home.

Reporting from the Cleveland Clinic, it is difficult to know how many people have delirium, because this disorder is only temporary. However, the researchers estimate, this disorder affects 15-50 percent of people who are hospitalized.

This condition can be overcome by reducing risk factors. Contact your doctor for more information.

Delirium signs & symptoms

What are the signs and symptoms of delirium?

The signs and symptoms of this condition generally occur suddenly and tend to get worse within hours or days. Sometimes, symptoms fluctuate throughout the day, which tend to get worse at night and are often followed by periods without symptoms.

In general, the typical signs, signs, or symptoms of delirium are:

• Less awareness of the surrounding environment

This condition is usually characterized by several symptoms, such as difficulty concentrating and focusing, stuck on an idea rather than responding to a question or conversation, easily distracted by unimportant things, and frequent daydreaming.

• Poor thinking or cognitive abilities

These include having memory or memory problems, disorientation (not being properly aware of the time, place, and who you are), difficulty speaking or remembering words, slurred speech, difficulty understanding speech, and difficulty reading and writing.

• Changes in behavior or habits

This condition is usually characterized by several symptoms, such as:

• Seeing things that are not there (hallucinations) or delusions.
• Behave aggressively.
• Making other noises, like moaning.
• Withdrawing from the social environment.
• Sluggishness or slow movement.
• Disturbed sleep patterns, such as sleeping during the day and waking up at night.

• Emotional disturbances

Some of the symptoms of emotional distress that may arise include excessive or paranoid anxiety and fear, depression, irritability, excessive excitement (euphoria), rapid and unpredictable mood swings, and personality changes.

In addition, some of the symptoms associated with delirium are often experienced by sufferers of delirium. These symptoms include tremors and loss of bowel or bladder control (urinary incontinence).

There may be symptoms not listed above. If you have concerns about a symptom, consult your doctor.

When to see a doctor?

Patients with delirium may not realize that they have this condition. Therefore, attention and input from those around them is needed to help doctors determine the right diagnosis.

For this reason, if you see a relative, friend, or relative experiencing the symptoms mentioned above, you should immediately consult a doctor. The doctor will determine the proper diagnosis and treatment.

Types of delirium

There are three types or types of delirium that may occur. Each type of condition shows different signs and symptoms. The following are types of delirium:

• Hyperactive delirium

This is the type that is most easily recognized. This is because the behavioral changes that occur are very visible, such as anxiety (usually indicated by pacing back and forth), agitation or irritability, rapid mood swings, and hallucinations.

• Hypoactive delirium

It is the opposite of hyperactivity, with features of inactivity or reduced motor activity, being lethargic, abnormally drowsy, appearing absent-minded, or slow to respond. However, this type is more common, with case estimates reaching 75 percent of all delirium sufferers.

• Mixed delirium

As the name implies, this type is characterized by alternating hyperactive and hypoactive symptoms. A person can be very aggressive for one minute, but then become lethargic or sleepy the next.

Causes & risk factors for delirium

What are the causes of delirium?

Delirium is a condition that occurs when the process of sending and receiving nerve signals in the brain becomes disrupted. This disorder can be caused by various factors that prevent the brain from functioning properly.

The following are various factors that may be the cause of delirium:

• Alcohol addiction or alcohol withdrawal. This includes serious alcohol withdrawal syndrome which occurs when a person stops drinking alcohol after consuming it for years, or is known as delirium tremens.
• Certain medications, such as pain relievers, sleeping pills, drugs for mood disorders (including depression, bipolar disorder, or anxiety disorders), allergy medications (antihistamines), asthma medications, corticosteroids, medication for Parkinson's disease, or medication for seizures.
• Malnutrition or dehydration.
• Infections, such as urinary tract infections, pneumonia, and flu.
• Exposure to toxins, such as carbon monoxide, cyanide, or others.
• Lack of sleep or severe emotional distress.
• Hormonal problems, such as hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism.
• Pain.
• Chronic disease or organ failure, such as kidney or liver failure.
• Medical conditions, such as stroke, heart attack, lung disease, or head injury from a fall.
• Surgery or other medical procedures involving anesthesia.

What increases a person's risk of developing this condition?

Some of the risk factors that can increase a person's risk of developing delirium are:

• Have a brain disorder, such as dementia, stroke, or Parkinson's disease.
• Have had delirium before.
• Vision or hearing problems.
• Have a chronic or serious illness, or more than one disease.
• Have an infection.
• Old age.
• Doing operation.
• Taking certain medications, such as pain relievers or those that affect thinking and behavior.
• Carry out long-term hospitalization in a hospital or nursing home.
• Have a habit of drinking alcohol. (Checking blood alcohol levels can help find out if you are at risk.)

Diagnosis & treatment of delirium

The information provided is not a substitute for medical advice. ALWAYS consult your doctor.

What are the usual tests for the diagnosis of delirium?

Your doctor will make a diagnosis based on the symptoms that appear and your medical history. This diagnosis will be confirmed by carrying out a series of tests, which generally consist of:

• Physical examination, to check for signs of certain health problems that may be the source of the symptoms.
• Neurological examination, to check vision, balance, coordination, and reflexes that can help doctors determine if a stroke or other nervous system disease is causing this condition.
• Mental status assessment, to assess a person's awareness, attention, and thoughts through conversation or by certain tests, including obtaining information from family members.
• Supportive tests, such as blood, urine, or imaging tests (x-rays, CT scan, or MRI), to confirm the diagnosis.

What are the treatment options for delirium?

The first step that doctors take to treat delirium is to treat the medical condition that is causing the disorder. For example, stopping the consumption of certain drugs, treating infections, or overcoming malnutrition.

Often, by treating the cause, the sufferer can fully recover from the delirium. The recovery period can take up to weeks or sometimes months.

However, sufferers of this condition also often need other treatment procedures that focus on managing symptoms. The treatment is usually in the form of:

• Controlling the environment to calm the sufferer's mind, such as making sure the room is quiet and well-lit.
• Administration of drugs that can help control agitation or confusion. Usually, medications are given when treatment without drugs can't help reduce symptoms or the condition could be harmful to the person.
• If necessary, aids will be provided to help the sufferer communicate, such as hearing aids or glasses.
• Supportive care to prevent complications, such as protecting the airway, administering fluids and nutrition, helping with movement, or managing pain.

In severe cases, a person suffering from delirium may need to be admitted to the hospital. Always consult your doctor for proper handling procedures.

Home treatment of delirium

Some lifestyle changes and home remedies that may help you or a relative you care for with delirium include:

• Get enough rest and sleep.
• Adopting good sleep habits, such as setting a regular nighttime sleep schedule and encouraging more activity during the day.
• Maintaining calm, such as communicating simply or avoiding arguments.
• Help the sufferer you care for to understand their environment, including the time and what is going on at that time.
• Take the drug regularly as recommended by the doctor.
• Avoiding things that can trigger symptoms, including stopping drinking alcohol.
• Eating healthy and nutritious food.
• Drink enough water.
• Exercising body movement.
• Urinate and defecate regularly.

If you have any questions, consult your doctor for the best solution to your problem.