Delirium

Delirium is an abrupt change in the brain that causes mental confusion and emotional disruption. It makes it difficult to think, remember, sleep, pay attention, and more. You might experience delirium during alcohol withdrawal, after surgery, or with dementia. 

 

Cluster Number:
Wiki Number: W052
Diagnosis: Delerium
US Patients: 1-2%, more with age
World Patients:
Sex Ratio:
Age Onset: most after 65
Brain Area: imbalance in dopamine and serotonin
Symptoms: confusion for hours or days, disorientation, disorganized thinking, uncontrolled muscles
Progression:
Causes: drug withdrawal, too much alcohol, prior dementia, sepsis-illness
Medications: haliperidol and other antipsychotics; 60% death rate in hospitalized elders with delerium, increases dementia X13.
Therapies: Maximize oxygen, hydration, feeding, pain control, control of other factors affecting the brain

YouTube Video: Understanding Delirium

Amazon or Library Book: Delirium

Delirium: Screening, Prevention, and Diagnosis – A Systematic Review of the Evidence

Click the book to link or order from Amazon.

Click the book to link or order from Amazon.

4 CURRENT ARTICLES
FROM PUBMED

The world-wide medical research
reports chosen for each diagnosis 

Clicking each title opens the
PubMed article’s summary-abstract.

  • Relationship Between Coronary Artery Revascularization and Postoperative Delirium: Progress and Perspectives
    by Nan Lu on May 7, 2024

    Brain dysfunction resulting from damage to the heart-brain link leads to a decline in cognitive function. This, in turn, gives rise to the clinical symptom of perioperative delirium in patients undergoing coronary artery revascularization. Those affected are provided symptomatic treatment, but many do not recover fully. Thus, medium- and long-term mortality and adverse event rates remain relatively high in patients with perioperative delirium. Despite the relatively high incidence of...

  • Hyponatremia With Anticonvulsant Medications: A Narrative Review
    by Kristin Nicole Bembenick on May 6, 2024

    Hyponatremia is an adverse effect of many antiseizure medications (ASMs). It occurs with interference with the normal balance of electrolytes within the body. Various risk factors associated with the development of hyponatremia in patients taking these medications include age, gender, dosage, and combinations with other drugs. ASMs such as carbamazepine (CBZ), oxcarbazepine (OXC), and valproic acid have a higher risk of hyponatremia. Hyponatremia induced by an antiseizure medication can occur...

  • Delirium Tremens: A Review of Clinical Studies
    by Alan D Kaye on May 6, 2024

    Delirium tremens (DT) is a severe condition resulting from alcohol withdrawal. This review highlights the challenges in diagnosing and managing DT and emphasizes the importance of early recognition and intervention to prevent complications and ensure optimal patient outcomes. The discussion of the pathophysiology of DT, focusing on the neurochemical imbalances involving the neurotransmitters gamma-aminobutyric acid and glutamate, explains how chronic alcohol dependence leads to these imbalances...

  • The association between the fibrinogen-to-albumin ratio and delirium after deep brain stimulation surgery in Parkinson's disease
    by Wenbin Lu on May 6, 2024

    CONCLUSION: Our data suggest that a higher preoperative FAR was significantly associated with delirium after DBS surgery. FAR on admission is a useful candidate biomarker to identify patients with PD who are at a high risk of delirium following DBS surgery.