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.
Medical professionals do not yet fully understand delirium, but it seems to have an association with older age, alcohol withdrawal, and certain medical conditions.
What is delirium?
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.
Types and symptoms
Doctors diagnose people with one of three types of delirium, which have different symptoms. The three types are:
• hypoactive delirium: people may feel tired or depressed or move slower than normal
• hyperactive delirium: people may feel restless, agitated, or aggressive
• mixed delirium: people alternate between hypoactive and hyperactive states
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:confusion or disorientation, memory loss, slurred speech or difficulty speaking coherently, difficulty concentrating, hallucinations, changes in sleep patterns, changes in mood or personality
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Source : Medical News Today
