Delirium is a sudden change in how a person thinks, making them feel confused or disoriented.
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What Does Delirium Feel Like?
Delirium causessudden confusionand trouble thinking clearly.
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How Common Is Delirium?
Delirium tends to be common among older adults, especially in hospital tweaks.
By some estimates, up to 30% of older hospitalized people experience delirium.
What Causes It?
It can be either hypoactive or hyperactive and is linked to severe COVID-19 cases.
It often affects people on ventilators or those with low oxygen levels due topneumoniaor heart problems.
The experience of being in the ICU and the illness itself can contribute to confusion and disorientation.
What Is Delirium Tremens?
Delirium tremens is a severe form of delirium caused byalcohol withdrawal.
Delirium vs. Dementia
Delirium anddementiacan seem similar, but they are different conditions that require different care.
Delirium may be an early warning sign of dementia, especially in older adults recovering from hospitalization.
The chart below highlights the key differences between delirium and dementia.
Can Delirium Be Misdiagnosed?
Some estimates suggest that up to two-thirds of cases of delirium in hospital controls are missed or misdiagnosed.
Signs of delirium may sometimes be confused with symptoms of dementia, depression, or fatigue.
How to Treat Delirium
There is no single medication to cure delirium.
Instead, treatment focuses on addressing the underlying cause and providing supportive care to ease symptoms.
Outlook and Prognosis
Delirium is often short-lived and temporary.
Symptoms of delirium usually appear over the course of a few hours or days.
After the underlying cause is treated, delirium usually goes away within a few days or weeks.
If not prevented or treated, delirium is associated with several health complications and other negative outcomes.
Reassure them that youre by their side and help them stay relaxed.
see to it that you know about any possible side effects of prescribed medicines.
It can also involve fluctuating alertness, hallucinations, and changes in speech or movement.
Delirium is most common in hospitalized older adults, especially in the ICU.
It can result from severe illness, infection, alcohol withdrawal, dehydration, or recent surgery.
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