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. What does alcoholism do to the brain?Alcohol interferes with the brain's communication pathways and can affect the way the brain looks and works. Alcohol makes it harder for the brain areas controlling balance, memory, speech, and judgment to do their jobs, resulting in a higher likelihood of injuries and other negative outcomes.
How is the limbic system affected by alcohol?Impaired emotional processing results from damage to the limbic system. This may lead to troubles recognizing emotional facial expressions and "interpreting nonverbal emotional cues". Binge drinking, or heavy episodic drinking, can lead to damage in the limbic system that occurs after a relatively short period of time.
What part of the brain causes alcoholism?There is evidence that the frontal lobes are particularly vulnerable to alcoholism–related damage, and the brain changes in these areas are most prominent as alcoholics age (Oscar–Berman 2000; Pfefferbaum et al.
How does alcohol affect you emotionally?Alcohol affects the part of your brain that controls inhibition, so you may feel relaxed, less anxious, and more confident after a drink. But these effects quickly wear off. The chemical changes in your brain can soon lead to more negative feelings, such as anger, depression or anxiety, regardless of your mood.
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For clients with chronic alcoholism which communication pattern suggests marked memory loss
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