Delirium
About Delirium
Delirium is an acute disturbance in attention and awareness, together with changes in cognition such as memory problems, disorientation, language disturbance or altered perception. It develops over a short period, usually hours to days, and tends to fluctuate during the day. It is a direct consequence of a medical condition, substance intoxication or withdrawal, medication effects, or multiple causes, such as infection, surgery, dehydration or metabolic problems. Delirium is common in hospital settings, especially among older adults, people with dementia, those after surgery and people in intensive care. It can present as agitation and restlessness, as quiet withdrawal and drowsiness that is easily missed, or as a mix. It is associated with longer hospital stays, higher mortality and longer term cognitive decline, so it is treated as a medical emergency. Care centers on finding and treating the causes, and on supportive measures such as orientation, good sleep, hydration, mobility, sensory aids and involving family.
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