What is delirium?
Delirium is a serious disturbance in mental abilities that results in confused thinking and
reduced awareness of the environment.
The start of delirium is usually rapid - within hours or a few days. Because symptoms of delirium and dementia can be similar, input from a family member or caregiver may be important for a doctor to make an accurate diagnosis.
Signs and symptoms of delirium may appear as:
- Poor memory, particularly of recent events
- Disorientation — for example, not knowing where you are or who you are
- Difficulty speaking or recalling words
- Difficulty reading or writing
- Seeing things that don't exist (hallucinations)
- Restlessness, agitation or combative behavior
- Slowed movement or lethargy
- Disturbed sleep habits
- Anxiety, fear or paranoia
- Depression
- Irritability or anger
- Apathy
- Rapid and unpredictable mood shifts
- Personality changes
Possible causes include:
- Injury from a fall
- Stroke
- Heart attack
- Worsening lung or liver disease
- Metabolic imbalances
- Severe, chronic or terminal illness
- Fever and acute infection, particularly in children
- Urinary tract infection, pneumonia or the flu, especially in older adults
- Malnutrition
- Dehydration
- Sleep deprivation or severe emotional distress
- Pain
- Surgery or other medical procedures that include anesthesia
Several medications or combinations of drugs can trigger delirium, including some types of:
- Pain drugs
- Sleep medications
- Medications for mood disorders, such as anxiety and depression
- Allergy medications (antihistamines)
- Asthma medications
- Drugs for treating spasms or convulsions
Source:
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/delirium/symptoms-causes/syc-
20371386
