Delirium - Causes, Symptoms & Treatment

Delirium is a condition of severe confusion and rapid changes in brain function. It is commonly associated with a disturbance of consciousness (eg, reduced clarity of awareness of the environment). The clinical hallmarks are decreased attention span and a waxing and waning type of confusion. Delirium often is unrecognized or misdiagnosed and commonly is mistaken for dementia, depression, mania, an acute schizophrenic reaction, or part of old age. Delirium may be caused by diseases of body systems other than the brain, by poisons, by fluid/ electrolyte or acid/base disturbances, and by other serious, acute conditions. Infections such as urinary tract infections or pneumonia may trigger delirium in individuals with pre-existing brain damage (prior strokes, dementia). Delirium affects 10 to 30 percent of hospitalized patients with medical illness; more than 50 percent of persons in certain high-risk populations are affected. The associated morbidity and mortality make diagnosis of this condition extremely important. Delirium may be caused by severe physical or mental illness , or any process which interferes with the normal metabolism or function of the brain. Delirium has been associated with the disruption of cortisol and beta-endorphin circadian rhythms. This mechanism has been suggested as a possible explanation for delirium caused by exogenous glucocorticoids.