General Information About Delirium
Disease Details and Frequently Asked Questions
It is a temporary state of mental confusion where the person suddenly loses connection with their surroundings, their thought process is disrupted, and their consciousness fluctuates throughout the day.
Dementia is a permanent brain disease that develops slowly over months or years. Delirium, on the other hand, starts suddenly within hours or days and usually completely resolves when the underlying cause is treated.
Urinary tract infections or pneumonia in the elderly, fluid loss (dehydration), the waking period after anesthesia, side effects of certain medications, and kidney/liver failure are the most common triggers.
Conditions where the patient does not know where they are (disorientation), speaks nonsensically, sees things that are not there (hallucinations), exhibits extreme restlessness (agitation), or conversely, extreme sluggishness (hypoactive delirium).
It is diagnosed through clinical examination. Subsequently, detailed blood tests, urine tests, and brain imaging (MRI/CT) are performed to find the physical cause leading to this state.
The disease that triggers delirium is treated rather than the delirium itself. If there is an infection, antibiotics are given; if there is a fluid deficit, IV fluids are administered. Low-dose antipsychotic medications may be used temporarily to prevent the patient from harming themselves.
Our health library contents are prepared for informational purposes only and with scientific data available at the time of recording. For all your questions, concerns, diagnosis, or treatment regarding your health, please consult your doctor or a healthcare institution.
