Materiały źródłowe

• #1 Delirium – Symptoms and causes – Mayo Clinic

  https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/delirium/symptoms-causes/syc-20371386

  Delirium is a serious change in mental abilities. It results in confused thinking and a lack of awareness of someone’s surroundings. The disorder usually comes on fast within hours or a few days. […] Symptoms of delirium usually begin over a few hours or a few days. They typically occur with a medical problem. Symptoms often come and go during the day. There may be periods of no symptoms. Symptoms tend to be worse at night when it’s dark and things look less familiar. They also tend to be worse in settings that aren’t familiar, such as in a hospital. […] Delirium may last only a few hours or as long as several weeks or months. If the causes are addressed, the recovery time is often shorter. […] Recovery depends to some extent on the health and mental status before symptoms began. People with dementia, for example, may experience an overall decline in memory and thinking skills after a delirium episode. People in better health are more likely to fully recover.

• #2 Delirium – Neurologic Disorders – Merck Manual Professional Edition

  https://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/neurologic-disorders/delirium-and-dementia/delirium

  Delirium is an acute, transient, usually reversible, fluctuating disturbance in attention, cognition, and consciousness level. […] Delirium may occur at any age but is more common among older adults. At least 10% of older patients (65 years) who are admitted to the hospital have delirium; 15 to 50% experience delirium at some time during hospitalization, and it is particularly common after surgery and in patients admitted to an intensive care unit (ICU). […] Delirium often develops in patients with dementia and is called delirium superimposed on dementia (DSD). DSD can occur in up to 49% of patients with dementia during hospitalization. […] Delirium is characterized primarily by difficulty focusing, maintaining, or shifting attention (inattention). Consciousness level fluctuates; patients are disoriented to time and sometimes place or person. They may have hallucinations, delusions, and paranoia.

• #3 Delirium (sudden confusion) – Overview | Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust

  https://www.guysandstthomas.nhs.uk/health-information/delirium-sudden-confusion

  Delirium (sudden confusion) usually affects peoples brains for a short time. It is a common condition. Up to 1 in 3 people admitted to hospital become delirious at some time during their stay. […] People with delirium might be confused or agitated and act differently than usual. They can seem alert or drowsy (sleepy). They might also have memory problems or see and hear things that are not there. […] Depending on how bad the delirium is, a person may need to go into hospital for treatment and management. For others, delirium can be treated at home. […] Delirium can change within the space of a day. People may be delirious, then appear normal and then be delirious again. Symptoms are often worse at night. […] Delirium usually gets better. In 6 out of 10 people (60%), the symptoms disappear within 6 days. Others may have some symptoms for longer. About 1 in 20 people (5%) may still have delirium more than a month after they first had symptoms. […] Delirium is always a serious condition. Although many people make a full recovery, some people never get back to how they were completely. This may apply if you: have dementia, have had delirium before, live in a care home (because it is likely that you already have health problems).

• #4 Delirium – Neurologic Disorders – Merck Manual Professional Edition

  https://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/neurologic-disorders/delirium-and-dementia/delirium

  Delirium is an acute, transient, usually reversible, fluctuating disturbance in attention, cognition, and consciousness level. […] Delirium may occur at any age but is more common among older adults. At least 10% of older patients (65 years) who are admitted to the hospital have delirium; 15 to 50% experience delirium at some time during hospitalization, and it is particularly common after surgery and in patients admitted to an intensive care unit (ICU). […] Delirium often develops in patients with dementia and is called delirium superimposed on dementia (DSD). DSD can occur in up to 49% of patients with dementia during hospitalization. […] Delirium is characterized primarily by difficulty focusing, maintaining, or shifting attention (inattention). Consciousness level fluctuates; patients are disoriented to time and sometimes place or person. They may have hallucinations, delusions, and paranoia.

• #5 Delirium (sudden confusion) – Overview | Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust

  https://www.guysandstthomas.nhs.uk/health-information/delirium-sudden-confusion

  Delirium (sudden confusion) usually affects peoples brains for a short time. It is a common condition. Up to 1 in 3 people admitted to hospital become delirious at some time during their stay. […] People with delirium might be confused or agitated and act differently than usual. They can seem alert or drowsy (sleepy). They might also have memory problems or see and hear things that are not there. […] Depending on how bad the delirium is, a person may need to go into hospital for treatment and management. For others, delirium can be treated at home. […] Delirium can change within the space of a day. People may be delirious, then appear normal and then be delirious again. Symptoms are often worse at night. […] Delirium usually gets better. In 6 out of 10 people (60%), the symptoms disappear within 6 days. Others may have some symptoms for longer. About 1 in 20 people (5%) may still have delirium more than a month after they first had symptoms. […] Delirium is always a serious condition. Although many people make a full recovery, some people never get back to how they were completely. This may apply if you: have dementia, have had delirium before, live in a care home (because it is likely that you already have health problems).

• #6 Patients and Families Overview

  https://www.icudelirium.org/patients-and-families/overview

  What is delirium? The word delirium is used to describe a severe state of confusion. People with delirium: […] Delirium is common. About 2 out of 3 patients in ICUs get delirium. Seven out of 10 patients get delirium while they are on a breathing machine or soon after. […] Delirium was the number one predictive factor for cognitive impairment. […] Delirium comes on quickly, in hours or days. Signs of delirium can change from one day to the next. Delirium can make memory and thinking problems worse. Delirium usually clears up after a few days or even a week. […] Research shows that patients who develop delirium might have dementia-like thinking problems that can last for months.

• #7 Assessment of delirium – Differential diagnosis of symptoms | BMJ Best Practice

  https://bestpractice.bmj.com/topics/en-gb/241

  Delirium is an acute, fluctuating change in mental status, with inattention, disorganised thinking, and altered levels of consciousness. […] It is a potentially life-threatening disorder characterised by high morbidity and mortality. […] Mortality for those diagnosed with delirium in hospital is twice that of patients with similar medical conditions without delirium and rises as high as 14% within 1 month of diagnosis. […] Delirium occurs in 20% to 25% of hospitalisations annually and is the most common hospital-related complication in the US. […] Delirium is common in the intensive care unit especially among mechanically ventilated patients. In critically ill patients, it is associated with an increased length of stay and increased mortality. […] Despite its frequency, delirium is frequently under-recognised given the fluctuating nature of symptoms and an overall under-appreciation of its significance by healthcare providers. Moreover, delirium has also been associated with elevated risks for functional and cognitive decline, poor rehabilitation potential, institutionalisation, and re-hospitalisation. […] While delirium is generally considered reversible, studies suggest that delirium symptoms can last for weeks to months following onset. […] Persistent delirium has been found to be frequent in older hospitalised patients, and associated with adverse outcomes.

• #8 Delirium: What It Is, Symptoms, Treatment & Types

  https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/15252-delirium

  Delirium is a fast-developing type of confusion that affects your ability to focus your attention and awareness. […] Delirium indicates a widespread disruption in brain activity. That means there are many possible symptoms of delirium. […] The main symptom of delirium is confusion. That means you have trouble with: […] Symptom patterns of delirium tend to fall into one of three categories: Hyperactive, Hypoactive, Mixed. […] Delirium is often preventable, but most preventive measures are things only clinical personnel should do. […] If you have delirium, the disruption in your brain function means you wont be truly aware of or able to understand whats happening to you. […] While delirium is temporary, the effects and symptoms can sometimes linger. […] The duration of delirium varies, and many factors can affect it. […] Delirium can affect your physical and mental health, quality of life and your overall sense of well-being, especially when its severe. […] In more severe or long-lasting cases, delirium can cause you to develop dementia or make existing dementia worse.

• #9 Azthena logo with the word Azthena

  https://www.news-medical.net/health/Delirium-Symptoms.aspx

  Delirium is a sudden state of severe mental confusion that can occur as a result of illness, surgery or the use of some medications. This clinical syndrome can be difficult to define precisely, but it involves abnormalities in awareness, perception and thought. […] Delirium usually starts suddenly and can be frightening for the person experiencing it as well as for those around them. However, the delirium usually lifts once the underlying cause has been identified and treated. […] Several subtypes of delirium exist and these include the hypoactive subtype, which is characterized by a quiet confusion and apathy that may be easily overlooked or confused with depression; the hyperactive subtype, which presents with prominent disorientation, agitation and delusion, but may be confused with schizophrenia and the mixed subtype, where patients fluctuate between the hypoactive and hyperactive subtypes.

• #10 Delirium | Canadian Cancer Society

  https://cancer.ca/en/treatments/side-effects/delirium

  Delirium is a change in cognitive status that comes on quickly and suddenly over a number of hours or days. […] Delirium can be divided into 3 types. Each has its own signs and symptoms. […] Hypoactive delirium is the most common type of delirium found in people with advanced cancer. Signs include slow or decreased speech, lowered level of awareness and little movement or activity. People with hypoactive delirium can become extremely sleepy and lethargic. […] Hyperactive delirium has signs such as restlessness, agitation, anxiety and frequent mood changes. People with hyperactive delirium may be irritable, frustrated, angry, fearful or excited. They may also become physically aggressive. […] Mixed delirium has signs of both hypoactive and hyperactive delirium, and the person will go from having signs of one type to showing signs of the other. […] The main difference between delirium and dementia is that symptoms for delirium come on quickly, while the symptoms of dementia develop slowly over a period of time.

• #11 Delirium: Symptoms and Management

  https://www.healthhub.sg/a-z/diseases-and-conditions/delirium

  Hypoactive delirium accounts for almost 80 percent of cases of delirium. […] Mixed delirium patients may experience a combination of both hypoactive and hyperactive symptoms that fluctuate throughout the day. […] This is a common feature in delirium, with patients often finding difficulty in registering new information, which is further impaired by the attentional difficulties described above. […] Patients with delirium can often display various emotional states that are out of character, such as extreme anger, elation and even terror. […] Patients with delirium may also experience distressing symptoms, such as misinterpreting their environment (illusions), perceiving non-existent stimuli (hallucinations) or have strongly held unshakeable false beliefs (delusions). […] This is when the patient’s awareness and responsiveness to his or her surroundings are diminished.

• #12 Delirium: Symptoms and Management

  https://www.healthhub.sg/a-z/diseases-and-conditions/delirium

  Hypoactive delirium accounts for almost 80 percent of cases of delirium. […] Mixed delirium patients may experience a combination of both hypoactive and hyperactive symptoms that fluctuate throughout the day. […] This is a common feature in delirium, with patients often finding difficulty in registering new information, which is further impaired by the attentional difficulties described above. […] Patients with delirium can often display various emotional states that are out of character, such as extreme anger, elation and even terror. […] Patients with delirium may also experience distressing symptoms, such as misinterpreting their environment (illusions), perceiving non-existent stimuli (hallucinations) or have strongly held unshakeable false beliefs (delusions). […] This is when the patient’s awareness and responsiveness to his or her surroundings are diminished.

• #13 Delirium – StatPearls – NCBI Bookshelf

  https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK470399/

  Delirium is a clinical syndrome that usually develops in the elderly. It is characterized by an alteration of attention, consciousness, and cognition, with a reduced ability to focus, sustain or shift attention. It develops over a short period and fluctuates during the day. The clinical presentation can vary, usually with psychomotor behavioral disturbances such as hyperactivity or hypoactivity and impairment in sleep duration and architecture. By definition, delirium is caused by an underlying medical condition and is not better explained by another preexisting, evolving, or established neurocognitive disorder. The underlying cause of delirium can vary widely and involve anything that stresses the baseline homeostasis of a vulnerable patient. […] The diagnosis is often missed, especially the hypoactive type, due to its subtle clinical manifestation. Delirium is dangerous, often preventable, and associated with a significant cost burden and increased morbidity and mortality.

• #14 Delirium: Symptoms and Management

  https://www.healthhub.sg/a-z/diseases-and-conditions/delirium

  Hypoactive delirium accounts for almost 80 percent of cases of delirium. […] Mixed delirium patients may experience a combination of both hypoactive and hyperactive symptoms that fluctuate throughout the day. […] This is a common feature in delirium, with patients often finding difficulty in registering new information, which is further impaired by the attentional difficulties described above. […] Patients with delirium can often display various emotional states that are out of character, such as extreme anger, elation and even terror. […] Patients with delirium may also experience distressing symptoms, such as misinterpreting their environment (illusions), perceiving non-existent stimuli (hallucinations) or have strongly held unshakeable false beliefs (delusions). […] This is when the patient’s awareness and responsiveness to his or her surroundings are diminished.

• #15 Recognising delirium – University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust

  https://www.uhsussex.nhs.uk/resources/recognising-delirium/

  Delirium is a state of mental confusion. Delirium can start very suddenly, sometimes in just a few hours. Delirium is very common, particularly in older people and people treated in hospital. There are three types of delirium: hyperactive delirium, hypoactive delirium, and mixed delirium. The symptoms of someone with hyperactive delirium include: Confusion: not being sure where they are, or why they are there, perhaps not being able to remember instructions or names. Distressing thoughts, paranoia, and worry that people are trying to harm them. Hallucinations: seeing or hearing things that aren’t there. Being agitated or restless, and wandering around. Behaving differently: they could become aggressive, or say or do inappropriate things. The symptoms of someone with hypoactive delirium include: Not being able to focus: difficulty following a conversation, or being easily distracted. Loss of balance. Loss of appetite. Being sleepy and withdrawn. Mixed delirium means that someone can switch between symptoms of hyperactive delirium and hypoactive delirium, sometimes over the course of a day. Sometimes, in older people, the effects of delirium can last a bit longer even after the cause is treated, even weeks or months. The earlier that delirium is identified and treated, the better the outcome for that person. Have these changes come on suddenly, over hours or days?

• #16 Delirium – Symptoms and causes – Mayo Clinic

  https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/delirium/symptoms-causes/syc-20371386

  Delirium is a serious change in mental abilities. It results in confused thinking and a lack of awareness of someone’s surroundings. The disorder usually comes on fast within hours or a few days. […] Symptoms of delirium usually begin over a few hours or a few days. They typically occur with a medical problem. Symptoms often come and go during the day. There may be periods of no symptoms. Symptoms tend to be worse at night when it’s dark and things look less familiar. They also tend to be worse in settings that aren’t familiar, such as in a hospital. […] Delirium may last only a few hours or as long as several weeks or months. If the causes are addressed, the recovery time is often shorter. […] Recovery depends to some extent on the health and mental status before symptoms began. People with dementia, for example, may experience an overall decline in memory and thinking skills after a delirium episode. People in better health are more likely to fully recover.

• #17 Delirium | MedlinePlus

  https://medlineplus.gov/delirium.html

  Delirium is a mental state in which you are confused, disoriented, and not able to think or remember clearly. It usually starts suddenly. It is often temporary and treatable. […] The symptoms of delirium usually start suddenly, over a few hours or a few days. They often come and go. The most common symptoms include: Changes in alertness (usually more alert in the morning, less at night), Changing levels of consciousness, Confusion, Disorganized thinking, talking in a way that doesn’t make sense, Disrupted sleep patterns, sleepiness, Emotional changes: anger, agitation, depression, irritability, overexcitement, Hallucinations and delusions, Memory problems, especially with short-term memory, Trouble concentrating. […] Delirium starts suddenly and can cause hallucinations. It is mainly a problem with attention and staying alert. The symptoms may get better or worse and can last for hours or weeks. […] Treatment of delirium focuses on the causes and symptoms of delirium. The first step is to identify the cause. Often, treating the cause will lead to a full recovery. The recovery may take some time – weeks or sometimes even months. In the meantime, there may be treatments to manage the symptoms.

• #18 Delirium | NHS inform

  https://www.nhsinform.scot/illnesses-and-conditions/brain-nerves-and-spinal-cord/delirium/

  Delirium (acute confusional state) is when someones mental function has a sudden change. It comes on quickly, often over hours or days. […] As well as showing confusion, people with delirium can be sleepy, agitated, have altered beliefs or see hallucinations. […] People with delirium may experience symptoms that include: being confused (or more confused than normal), being sleepy and less responsive, being very agitated or restless, a change in sleeping pattern (like being awake at night and sleeping during the day), suspiciousness or a loss of trust, seeing or hearing things that arent real. […] Sometimes these symptoms are worse in the evenings or overnight. […] Most delirium lasts a few days but in some cases it can persist for weeks or even months. […] Delirium can continue even when all triggers have been addressed. In this situation, you should get ongoing supportive care and help. In other cases, the delirium will slowly improve. […] Unfortunately, not all patients recover to the same mental function they had before their delirium.

• #19 Delirium – StatPearls – NCBI Bookshelf

  https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK470399/

  Delirium is a clinical syndrome that usually develops in the elderly. It is characterized by an alteration of attention, consciousness, and cognition, with a reduced ability to focus, sustain or shift attention. It develops over a short period and fluctuates during the day. The clinical presentation can vary, usually with psychomotor behavioral disturbances such as hyperactivity or hypoactivity and impairment in sleep duration and architecture. By definition, delirium is caused by an underlying medical condition and is not better explained by another preexisting, evolving, or established neurocognitive disorder. The underlying cause of delirium can vary widely and involve anything that stresses the baseline homeostasis of a vulnerable patient. […] The diagnosis is often missed, especially the hypoactive type, due to its subtle clinical manifestation. Delirium is dangerous, often preventable, and associated with a significant cost burden and increased morbidity and mortality.

• #20 Delirium: What It Is, Symptoms, Treatment & Types

  https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/15252-delirium

  Delirium is a fast-developing type of confusion that affects your ability to focus your attention and awareness. […] Delirium indicates a widespread disruption in brain activity. That means there are many possible symptoms of delirium. […] The main symptom of delirium is confusion. That means you have trouble with: […] Symptom patterns of delirium tend to fall into one of three categories: Hyperactive, Hypoactive, Mixed. […] Delirium is often preventable, but most preventive measures are things only clinical personnel should do. […] If you have delirium, the disruption in your brain function means you wont be truly aware of or able to understand whats happening to you. […] While delirium is temporary, the effects and symptoms can sometimes linger. […] The duration of delirium varies, and many factors can affect it. […] Delirium can affect your physical and mental health, quality of life and your overall sense of well-being, especially when its severe. […] In more severe or long-lasting cases, delirium can cause you to develop dementia or make existing dementia worse.

• #21 Delirium | MedlinePlus

  https://medlineplus.gov/delirium.html

  Delirium is a mental state in which you are confused, disoriented, and not able to think or remember clearly. It usually starts suddenly. It is often temporary and treatable. […] The symptoms of delirium usually start suddenly, over a few hours or a few days. They often come and go. The most common symptoms include: Changes in alertness (usually more alert in the morning, less at night), Changing levels of consciousness, Confusion, Disorganized thinking, talking in a way that doesn’t make sense, Disrupted sleep patterns, sleepiness, Emotional changes: anger, agitation, depression, irritability, overexcitement, Hallucinations and delusions, Memory problems, especially with short-term memory, Trouble concentrating. […] Delirium starts suddenly and can cause hallucinations. It is mainly a problem with attention and staying alert. The symptoms may get better or worse and can last for hours or weeks. […] Treatment of delirium focuses on the causes and symptoms of delirium. The first step is to identify the cause. Often, treating the cause will lead to a full recovery. The recovery may take some time – weeks or sometimes even months. In the meantime, there may be treatments to manage the symptoms.

• #22 Delirium and Sleep Disturbance

  https://mydoctor.kaiserpermanente.org/mas/structured-content/Condition_Delirium_sleep_-_Critical_Care.xml?co=/regions/mas

  Delirium is a term used to describe a serious disturbance in mental abilities that causes a person to become severely confused. A person with delirium cannot think clearly, has trouble paying attention, is less aware of what is happening around them, and may see or hear things that are not there. […] Delirium often develops suddenly, typically within a few hours or days. […] Delirium is often temporary, lasting a few days to a week. However, mental function may not fully recover for several weeks. […] Symptoms of delirium develop suddenly over a few hours to a few days. The symptoms may fluctuate throughout the day and there may even be times when no symptoms are present. […] Symptoms of delirium include: Inability to remain focused on a topic or follow directions, Easily distracted, Limited response to what is going on around them, Disorientation, such as not knowing where they are or the time of day, Difficulty reading or writing, Rambling or incoherent speech, Problems with recalling words and understanding speech, Memory problems, especially memory of recent events, Change in sleeping habits, Extreme emotions, such as agitation, anxiety, depression, fear, or aggression, Being withdrawn, lethargic, or subdued, Seeing or hearing things that are not there (hallucinations), Tremors or other movements caused by nervous system changes. […] Symptoms of delirium develop suddenly over a few hours or days, while dementia gradually worsens over a long period of time. […] Delirium causes a significant inability to stay focused and pay attention. […] Symptoms of delirium can fluctuate significantly.

• #23 Delirium | MedlinePlus

  https://medlineplus.gov/delirium.html

  Delirium is a mental state in which you are confused, disoriented, and not able to think or remember clearly. It usually starts suddenly. It is often temporary and treatable. […] The symptoms of delirium usually start suddenly, over a few hours or a few days. They often come and go. The most common symptoms include: Changes in alertness (usually more alert in the morning, less at night), Changing levels of consciousness, Confusion, Disorganized thinking, talking in a way that doesn’t make sense, Disrupted sleep patterns, sleepiness, Emotional changes: anger, agitation, depression, irritability, overexcitement, Hallucinations and delusions, Memory problems, especially with short-term memory, Trouble concentrating. […] Delirium starts suddenly and can cause hallucinations. It is mainly a problem with attention and staying alert. The symptoms may get better or worse and can last for hours or weeks. […] Treatment of delirium focuses on the causes and symptoms of delirium. The first step is to identify the cause. Often, treating the cause will lead to a full recovery. The recovery may take some time – weeks or sometimes even months. In the meantime, there may be treatments to manage the symptoms.

• #24 Delirium – Brain, Spinal Cord, and Nerve Disorders – Merck Manual Consumer Version

  https://www.merckmanuals.com/home/brain-spinal-cord-and-nerve-disorders/delirium-and-dementia/delirium

  Delirium usually begins suddenly and progresses over hours or days. The hallmark of delirium is an inability to pay attention. People with delirium cannot concentrate, so they have trouble processing new information and cannot recall recent events. Thus, they do not understand what is happening around them. They become disoriented. Sudden confusion about time and often about place (where they are) may be an early sign of delirium. If delirium is severe, people may not know who they or other people are. Thinking is confused, and people with delirium ramble, sometimes becoming incoherent. Their level of awareness (consciousness) may fluctuate. That is, people may be overly alert one moment and drowsy and sluggish the next. Other symptoms also often change within minutes and tend to worsen during the evening (a phenomenon called sundowning). Delirium can last hours, days, or even longer, depending on the severity and the cause. If the cause of delirium is not quickly identified and treated, people may become increasingly drowsy and unresponsive, requiring vigorous stimulation to be aroused (a condition called stupor). Stupor may lead to coma or death.

• #25 Delirium – symptoms, diagnosis and treatment | Alzheimer’s Society

  https://www.alzheimers.org.uk/get-support/daily-living/delirium

  Delirium is a change in a persons mental state that happens suddenly over 1-2 days. Its often the first sign that someone is becoming unwell. Delirium can look different from one person to the next. Some people may become agitated or distressed while others are drowsy or withdrawn. The common feature to everyone who has delirium is that they become less responsive or alert to things happening around them. […] The most important part of identifying delirium is noticing a sudden change in a persons mental state that theyre not themselves. A person with delirium may: be less alert and not respond to things happening around them, be easily distracted, be less aware of where they are, or what time it is (disorientation), suddenly be less able to do something (for example, walking or eating), speak less clearly or struggle to follow a conversation, have sudden swings in mood or behaviour, have hallucinations see or hear things that arent real, have delusions or become paranoid strongly believing things that are not true.

• #26 Delirium – symptoms, diagnosis and treatment | healthdirect

  https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/delirium

  Delirium is a sudden change in the way you think and behave. […] Delirium can develop quickly and lasts for a few days. It is common in older people, but it can happen at any age. […] Delirium can cause a range of symptoms, including sudden confusion and changes in behaviour. You may notice that someone with delirium: is confused or forgetful, doesn’t know the time or where they are, acts differently from usual, is unsettled, sleepy or has changes in their sleep pattern, feels scared, upset, irritable, angry or sad, sees things that are not there (hallucinations), loses control of bladder or bowels (incontinence). […] These symptoms can start suddenly, over a few hours or days. They can last for a few days or weeks. […] Delirium is often caused by changes in your health, such as a physical illness or infection. It can also result from a change in your prescription medicines.

• #27 Delirium Symptoms | American Geriatrics Society | HealthInAging.org

  https://www.healthinaging.org/a-z-topic/delirium/symptoms

  Delirium has many symptoms that can change quickly. Delirium can come and go within 24 hours. And people with delirium often can be lucid (clear-headed) during this time. […] The symptoms vary among people with the condition. […] A person may have delirium if they have: Difficulty concentrating, Changes in behavior, personality, mood, or attention, Changes in awareness (for example, being either super alert or drowsy), Any change in function, such as sleeping more or eating less. […] Typical Symptoms of Delirium: Sudden onset over hours to days, Slurred speech and language difficulties, talking that doesn’t make sense, Changes in feeling (sensation) and perception, Easily distracted, decreased attention, concentration, and awareness of what is nearby, Usually more alert in the morning than at night; in and out of consciousness, Changes in movement (for example, people may become slow moving or very restless), Changes in sleep patterns, Confusion and disorientation, not aware of correct time or place, Memory loss, including worse short-term memory, Disorganized thinking, Emotional or personality changes, with frequent changes in moods, Incontinence (unable to control urine or bowel movements), Hallucinations (visual, but not auditory), Signs of medical illness (such as fever, chills, pain, etc.) or medication side effects.

• #28 Delirium | MedlinePlus

  https://medlineplus.gov/delirium.html

  Delirium is a mental state in which you are confused, disoriented, and not able to think or remember clearly. It usually starts suddenly. It is often temporary and treatable. […] The symptoms of delirium usually start suddenly, over a few hours or a few days. They often come and go. The most common symptoms include: Changes in alertness (usually more alert in the morning, less at night), Changing levels of consciousness, Confusion, Disorganized thinking, talking in a way that doesn’t make sense, Disrupted sleep patterns, sleepiness, Emotional changes: anger, agitation, depression, irritability, overexcitement, Hallucinations and delusions, Memory problems, especially with short-term memory, Trouble concentrating. […] Delirium starts suddenly and can cause hallucinations. It is mainly a problem with attention and staying alert. The symptoms may get better or worse and can last for hours or weeks. […] Treatment of delirium focuses on the causes and symptoms of delirium. The first step is to identify the cause. Often, treating the cause will lead to a full recovery. The recovery may take some time – weeks or sometimes even months. In the meantime, there may be treatments to manage the symptoms.

• #29 Sudden confusion (delirium)

  https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/confusion/

  Sudden confusion (delirium) can have many different causes. Get medical help immediately if someone suddenly becomes confused (delirious). […] If a person is confused, they may: not be able to think or speak clearly or quickly, not know where they are (feel disorientated), struggle to pay attention or remember things, see or hear things that are not there (hallucinations). […] In older people, forgetfulness and confusion are sometimes signs of dementia. […] Many causes of sudden confusion need to be assessed and treated as soon as possible. Sometimes it may be life threatening. […] Sudden confusion can be caused by many different things. Do not try to self-diagnose. Get medical help if someone suddenly becomes confused or delirious. […] Some of the most common causes of sudden confusion include: an infection urinary tract infections (UTIs) are a common cause in older people or people with dementia, a stroke or TIA („mini-stroke”), a low blood sugar level in people with diabetes, a head injury, some types of prescription medicine, alcohol poisoning or alcohol withdrawal, taking drugs, carbon monoxide poisoning especially if other people you live with also become unwell, a severe asthma attack or other problems with the lungs or heart, certain types of seizures caused by epilepsy.

• #30 Delirium | MedlinePlus

  https://medlineplus.gov/delirium.html

  Delirium is a mental state in which you are confused, disoriented, and not able to think or remember clearly. It usually starts suddenly. It is often temporary and treatable. […] The symptoms of delirium usually start suddenly, over a few hours or a few days. They often come and go. The most common symptoms include: Changes in alertness (usually more alert in the morning, less at night), Changing levels of consciousness, Confusion, Disorganized thinking, talking in a way that doesn’t make sense, Disrupted sleep patterns, sleepiness, Emotional changes: anger, agitation, depression, irritability, overexcitement, Hallucinations and delusions, Memory problems, especially with short-term memory, Trouble concentrating. […] Delirium starts suddenly and can cause hallucinations. It is mainly a problem with attention and staying alert. The symptoms may get better or worse and can last for hours or weeks. […] Treatment of delirium focuses on the causes and symptoms of delirium. The first step is to identify the cause. Often, treating the cause will lead to a full recovery. The recovery may take some time – weeks or sometimes even months. In the meantime, there may be treatments to manage the symptoms.

• #31 Delirium – symptoms, diagnosis and treatment | Alzheimer’s Society

  https://www.alzheimers.org.uk/get-support/daily-living/delirium

  Delirium is a change in a persons mental state that happens suddenly over 1-2 days. Its often the first sign that someone is becoming unwell. Delirium can look different from one person to the next. Some people may become agitated or distressed while others are drowsy or withdrawn. The common feature to everyone who has delirium is that they become less responsive or alert to things happening around them. […] The most important part of identifying delirium is noticing a sudden change in a persons mental state that theyre not themselves. A person with delirium may: be less alert and not respond to things happening around them, be easily distracted, be less aware of where they are, or what time it is (disorientation), suddenly be less able to do something (for example, walking or eating), speak less clearly or struggle to follow a conversation, have sudden swings in mood or behaviour, have hallucinations see or hear things that arent real, have delusions or become paranoid strongly believing things that are not true.

• #32 Caring for Someone With Delirium | Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center

  https://www.mskcc.org/cancer-care/patient-education/delirium

  Delirium is a sudden (quick) change in the way a person thinks and acts. People with delirium cannot pay attention to whats going on around them, and their thinking is not clear. This can be scary for the person with delirium, their family, caregivers, and friends. […] Delirium can start suddenly, such as in a few hours, and can last for a few days. Or, it can happen slowly, over several days or weeks. The symptoms can come and go. […] Delirium is sometimes confused with dementia (deh-MEN-shuh), but they are not the same thing. Dementia is a state of confusion that slowly gets worse over time. It will not get better. Delirium happens suddenly. You will notice a change in the person right away. It often gets better with treatment. […] Delirium can last from a day to sometimes months. If the persons medical problems get better, they may be able to go home before their delirium goes away. Some peoples delirium symptoms get much better when they go home. […] Other people can still have delirium symptoms months after the cause of their delirium was treated. You may notice they still have trouble remembering things, such as the date or where they are.

• #33 Delirium | health.vic.gov.au

  https://www.health.vic.gov.au/older-people-in-hospital/cognition-dementia-delirium-and-depression/delirium

  Delirium develops quickly and symptoms fluctuate throughout the day. It usually lasts for a few days but may persist for weeks or even months in vulnerable older adults. Delirium may be the only sign of medical illness or a rapidly deteriorating patient. […] Delirium is a serious condition where the person experiences a disturbance in attention, perception, awareness and cognition. Delirium may be caused by general medical conditions (for example, infections, hypoxia), certain medications, intoxicating substances or a combination of these. […] Delirium symptoms develop quickly. Symptoms include: difficulty directing, focusing, sustaining or shifting attention; confusion; fluctuating or reduced consciousness; disorientation to time and place (particularly time); disturbance of the sleep-wake cycle, for example, agitated or restless at night and drowsy during the day; impaired recent memory; speech or language disturbances, for example, rambling speech; increased or decreased psychomotor activity; emotional disturbances, for example, fearfulness, irritability, anger, sadness; hallucinations and delusions; lethargy and fatigue.

• #34 Delirium Symptoms | American Geriatrics Society | HealthInAging.org

  https://www.healthinaging.org/a-z-topic/delirium/symptoms

  Delirium has many symptoms that can change quickly. Delirium can come and go within 24 hours. And people with delirium often can be lucid (clear-headed) during this time. […] The symptoms vary among people with the condition. […] A person may have delirium if they have: Difficulty concentrating, Changes in behavior, personality, mood, or attention, Changes in awareness (for example, being either super alert or drowsy), Any change in function, such as sleeping more or eating less. […] Typical Symptoms of Delirium: Sudden onset over hours to days, Slurred speech and language difficulties, talking that doesn’t make sense, Changes in feeling (sensation) and perception, Easily distracted, decreased attention, concentration, and awareness of what is nearby, Usually more alert in the morning than at night; in and out of consciousness, Changes in movement (for example, people may become slow moving or very restless), Changes in sleep patterns, Confusion and disorientation, not aware of correct time or place, Memory loss, including worse short-term memory, Disorganized thinking, Emotional or personality changes, with frequent changes in moods, Incontinence (unable to control urine or bowel movements), Hallucinations (visual, but not auditory), Signs of medical illness (such as fever, chills, pain, etc.) or medication side effects.

• #35 Delirium: Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis and Treatment | Nationwide Children’s Hospital

  https://www.nationwidechildrens.org/conditions/delirium

  Delirium is a serious condition that causes confusion, reduced awareness of your surroundings and changes in behavior. It is a serious complication of medical illness. […] Delirium is a serious disturbance in mental abilities. It involves changes in behavior, confused thinking, and reduced awareness of a person’s surroundings. […] Signs and symptoms of delirium can start suddenly over a few hours or more gradually over a few days. They often come and go throughout the day. There may be periods of no symptoms. The symptoms may get better or worse. Symptoms can last for hours or weeks. […] Symptoms for children tend to be worse beginning in the late afternoon through the nighttime. Often delirium interferes with sleep. […] Primary signs of delirium include: Reduced or Changed Awareness of Their Surroundings, Poor Thinking Skills (Cognitive Impairment), Changes in Behavior, Emotional Disturbances.

• #36 Delirium Clinical Presentation: History, Physical, Causes

  https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/288890-clinical

  The diagnosis of delirium is clinical. No laboratory test can diagnose delirium. Obtaining a thorough history is essential. […] Delirium always should be suspected when (a new onset) or an acute or subacute deterioration in behavior, cognition, or function occurs, especially in patients who are elderly, demented, or depressed. […] Delirium develops in a short period of time (within hours), and an acute change in consciousness or difficulty focusing on what was being said could occur during the interview. […] The main symptoms of delirium include the following: Clouding of consciousness, Difficulty maintaining or shifting attention, Disorientation, Illusions, Hallucinations, Fluctuating levels of consciousness. […] Symptoms tend to fluctuate over the course of the day, with some improvement in the daytime and maximum disturbance at night. Reversal of the sleep-wake cycle is common.

• #37 Delirium | MedlinePlus

  https://medlineplus.gov/delirium.html

  Delirium is a mental state in which you are confused, disoriented, and not able to think or remember clearly. It usually starts suddenly. It is often temporary and treatable. […] The symptoms of delirium usually start suddenly, over a few hours or a few days. They often come and go. The most common symptoms include: Changes in alertness (usually more alert in the morning, less at night), Changing levels of consciousness, Confusion, Disorganized thinking, talking in a way that doesn’t make sense, Disrupted sleep patterns, sleepiness, Emotional changes: anger, agitation, depression, irritability, overexcitement, Hallucinations and delusions, Memory problems, especially with short-term memory, Trouble concentrating. […] Delirium starts suddenly and can cause hallucinations. It is mainly a problem with attention and staying alert. The symptoms may get better or worse and can last for hours or weeks. […] Treatment of delirium focuses on the causes and symptoms of delirium. The first step is to identify the cause. Often, treating the cause will lead to a full recovery. The recovery may take some time – weeks or sometimes even months. In the meantime, there may be treatments to manage the symptoms.

• #38 Delirium in palliative care | Information for professionals | Marie Curie

  https://www.mariecurie.org.uk/professionals/palliative-care-knowledge-zone/delirium

  Delirium is a serious condition which causes a sudden change in how a person thinks and behaves. It becomes more common as people approach the end of life. Symptoms of delirium may come and go, and sometimes get worse at night. Delirium usually starts suddenly over hours or days. Delirium may cause a person to feel confused and develop problems with their memory, feel disorientated, have difficulty talking and understanding what people say to them, find it difficult to concentrate, say or do things that are out of character, experience auditory or visual hallucinations, and think that people are trying to harm them. Many people will recover from delirium if the underlying causes are treated. Towards the end of life, people may not recover from their delirium, and healthcare professionals should focus on making them comfortable. Many people will recover from delirium. But this may not always happen if the person is approaching the end of life. Recovery from delirium may take a few days. But for others, recovery may take longer. Many people will get better once the underlying cause of delirium is treated, if they’re not approaching the end of their life. Delirium causing agitation in the last hours or days of life is sometimes called terminal agitation.

• #39 Delirium – symptoms, diagnosis and treatment | Alzheimer’s Society

  https://www.alzheimers.org.uk/get-support/daily-living/delirium

  Delirium is a change in a persons mental state that happens suddenly over 1-2 days. Its often the first sign that someone is becoming unwell. Delirium can look different from one person to the next. Some people may become agitated or distressed while others are drowsy or withdrawn. The common feature to everyone who has delirium is that they become less responsive or alert to things happening around them. […] The most important part of identifying delirium is noticing a sudden change in a persons mental state that theyre not themselves. A person with delirium may: be less alert and not respond to things happening around them, be easily distracted, be less aware of where they are, or what time it is (disorientation), suddenly be less able to do something (for example, walking or eating), speak less clearly or struggle to follow a conversation, have sudden swings in mood or behaviour, have hallucinations see or hear things that arent real, have delusions or become paranoid strongly believing things that are not true.

• #40 Delirium (sudden confusion) – Dementia UK

  https://www.dementiauk.org/information-and-support/health-advice/delirium/

  It can be difficult to recognise delirium in people with dementia because it has similar symptoms such as confusion, memory loss and problems with concentration. However, it’s important to know the signs and seek medical help quickly if you spot them. […] Symptoms of delirium include: a sudden change in mental state and/or behaviour, disorientation: being unsure where they are or what day/time it is, paranoia and false beliefs, such as thinking someone is trying to harm them, poor concentration, memory loss, drowsiness, feeling agitated and restless, irritability or aggression, hallucinations, difficulty speaking clearly and following conversations, vivid dreams, physical changes, for example in appetite or mobility, falls. […] About 60% of people with delirium recover within a week. Some people, however, take longer to recover, and some never get back to exactly how they were before – this is more likely if they have dementia.

• #41 Delirium Clinical Presentation: History, Physical, Causes

  https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/288890-clinical

  In patients who are elderly, delirium often is the presenting symptom of an underlying illness. […] A prodromal phase lasting for hours to days can occur before full syndromal delirium becomes evident. This includes sleep disturbances, vivid dreams, frequent calls for assistance, and anxiety. […] Complications of delirium may include the following: Malnutrition, fluid and electrolyte abnormalities, Aspiration pneumonia, Pressure ulcers, Weakness, decreased mobility, and decreased function, Falls and combative behavior leading to injuries and fractures, Long-term cognitive impairment: Accumulating evidence shows that delirium is not only a transient, reversible acute confusion, but also can give rise to a persistent long-term cognitive impairment.

• #42 Delirium | NHS inform

  https://www.nhsinform.scot/illnesses-and-conditions/brain-nerves-and-spinal-cord/delirium/

  Delirium (acute confusional state) is when someones mental function has a sudden change. It comes on quickly, often over hours or days. […] As well as showing confusion, people with delirium can be sleepy, agitated, have altered beliefs or see hallucinations. […] People with delirium may experience symptoms that include: being confused (or more confused than normal), being sleepy and less responsive, being very agitated or restless, a change in sleeping pattern (like being awake at night and sleeping during the day), suspiciousness or a loss of trust, seeing or hearing things that arent real. […] Sometimes these symptoms are worse in the evenings or overnight. […] Most delirium lasts a few days but in some cases it can persist for weeks or even months. […] Delirium can continue even when all triggers have been addressed. In this situation, you should get ongoing supportive care and help. In other cases, the delirium will slowly improve. […] Unfortunately, not all patients recover to the same mental function they had before their delirium.

• #43 Delirium – Symptoms and causes – Mayo Clinic

  https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/delirium/symptoms-causes/syc-20371386

  Delirium is a serious change in mental abilities. It results in confused thinking and a lack of awareness of someone’s surroundings. The disorder usually comes on fast within hours or a few days. […] Symptoms of delirium usually begin over a few hours or a few days. They typically occur with a medical problem. Symptoms often come and go during the day. There may be periods of no symptoms. Symptoms tend to be worse at night when it’s dark and things look less familiar. They also tend to be worse in settings that aren’t familiar, such as in a hospital. […] Delirium may last only a few hours or as long as several weeks or months. If the causes are addressed, the recovery time is often shorter. […] Recovery depends to some extent on the health and mental status before symptoms began. People with dementia, for example, may experience an overall decline in memory and thinking skills after a delirium episode. People in better health are more likely to fully recover.

• #44 Delirium – Neurologic Disorders – Merck Manual Professional Edition

  https://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/neurologic-disorders/delirium-and-dementia/delirium

  Symptoms fluctuate over minutes to hours; they may lessen during the day and worsen at night. […] In older adults, delirium tends to last longer, and recovery may be slow (days to even weeks or months), resulting in longer hospital stays, increased risk and severity of complications, increased costs, and long-term disability. Some patients never fully recover from delirium.

• #45 Delirium – Symptoms and causes – Mayo Clinic

  https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/delirium/symptoms-causes/syc-20371386

  Delirium is a serious change in mental abilities. It results in confused thinking and a lack of awareness of someone’s surroundings. The disorder usually comes on fast within hours or a few days. […] Symptoms of delirium usually begin over a few hours or a few days. They typically occur with a medical problem. Symptoms often come and go during the day. There may be periods of no symptoms. Symptoms tend to be worse at night when it’s dark and things look less familiar. They also tend to be worse in settings that aren’t familiar, such as in a hospital. […] Delirium may last only a few hours or as long as several weeks or months. If the causes are addressed, the recovery time is often shorter. […] Recovery depends to some extent on the health and mental status before symptoms began. People with dementia, for example, may experience an overall decline in memory and thinking skills after a delirium episode. People in better health are more likely to fully recover.

• #46 Delirium (sudden confusion) – Overview | Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust

  https://www.guysandstthomas.nhs.uk/health-information/delirium-sudden-confusion

  Delirium (sudden confusion) usually affects peoples brains for a short time. It is a common condition. Up to 1 in 3 people admitted to hospital become delirious at some time during their stay. […] People with delirium might be confused or agitated and act differently than usual. They can seem alert or drowsy (sleepy). They might also have memory problems or see and hear things that are not there. […] Depending on how bad the delirium is, a person may need to go into hospital for treatment and management. For others, delirium can be treated at home. […] Delirium can change within the space of a day. People may be delirious, then appear normal and then be delirious again. Symptoms are often worse at night. […] Delirium usually gets better. In 6 out of 10 people (60%), the symptoms disappear within 6 days. Others may have some symptoms for longer. About 1 in 20 people (5%) may still have delirium more than a month after they first had symptoms. […] Delirium is always a serious condition. Although many people make a full recovery, some people never get back to how they were completely. This may apply if you: have dementia, have had delirium before, live in a care home (because it is likely that you already have health problems).

• #47 Delirium – StatPearls – NCBI Bookshelf

  https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK470399/

  The nature of delirium is transient but can persist in patients with predisposing factors. A systematic review showed that hospital delirium persisted until discharge in 45% of cases and persisted one month later in 33% of cases. […] The overall prognosis for patients with delirium is guarded. […] Long-term cognitive impairment: Accumulating evidence shows that delirium is not only a transient, reversible acute confusion but also can give rise to persistent long-term cognitive impairment.

• #48 Delirium (sudden confusion) – Overview | Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust

  https://www.guysandstthomas.nhs.uk/health-information/delirium-sudden-confusion

  Delirium (sudden confusion) usually affects peoples brains for a short time. It is a common condition. Up to 1 in 3 people admitted to hospital become delirious at some time during their stay. […] People with delirium might be confused or agitated and act differently than usual. They can seem alert or drowsy (sleepy). They might also have memory problems or see and hear things that are not there. […] Depending on how bad the delirium is, a person may need to go into hospital for treatment and management. For others, delirium can be treated at home. […] Delirium can change within the space of a day. People may be delirious, then appear normal and then be delirious again. Symptoms are often worse at night. […] Delirium usually gets better. In 6 out of 10 people (60%), the symptoms disappear within 6 days. Others may have some symptoms for longer. About 1 in 20 people (5%) may still have delirium more than a month after they first had symptoms. […] Delirium is always a serious condition. Although many people make a full recovery, some people never get back to how they were completely. This may apply if you: have dementia, have had delirium before, live in a care home (because it is likely that you already have health problems).

• #49 Delirium (sudden confusion) – Dementia UK

  https://www.dementiauk.org/information-and-support/health-advice/delirium/

  It can be difficult to recognise delirium in people with dementia because it has similar symptoms such as confusion, memory loss and problems with concentration. However, it’s important to know the signs and seek medical help quickly if you spot them. […] Symptoms of delirium include: a sudden change in mental state and/or behaviour, disorientation: being unsure where they are or what day/time it is, paranoia and false beliefs, such as thinking someone is trying to harm them, poor concentration, memory loss, drowsiness, feeling agitated and restless, irritability or aggression, hallucinations, difficulty speaking clearly and following conversations, vivid dreams, physical changes, for example in appetite or mobility, falls. […] About 60% of people with delirium recover within a week. Some people, however, take longer to recover, and some never get back to exactly how they were before – this is more likely if they have dementia.

• #50 Delirium – StatPearls – NCBI Bookshelf

  https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK470399/

  The nature of delirium is transient but can persist in patients with predisposing factors. A systematic review showed that hospital delirium persisted until discharge in 45% of cases and persisted one month later in 33% of cases. […] The overall prognosis for patients with delirium is guarded. […] Long-term cognitive impairment: Accumulating evidence shows that delirium is not only a transient, reversible acute confusion but also can give rise to persistent long-term cognitive impairment.

• #51 The Course of Delirium in Older Medical Inpatients

  https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC1494920/

  The mean numbers of symptoms of delirium at diagnosis and 12-month follow-up, respectively, were 4.5 and 3.5 in the subgroup of patients with dementia and 3.4 and 2.2 among those without dementia. Delirium was present at 6 and 12 months in 38.5% and 48.9%, respectively, of patients with dementia and 8.8% and 14.8%, respectively, of patients without dementia. […] The duration of the initial delirium episode was longer for those with dementia. However, even after adjusting for baseline cognitive impairment, severity of illness, comorbidity, and other potentially confounding variables, the speed of resolution of the syndrome was associated with long-term functional and cognitive outcomes, but not with post-discharge mortality. […] The presence of delirium rather than its in-hospital clinical course appears to predict post-discharge mortality.

• #52 1. Understanding Delirium | ATrain Education

  https://www.atrainceu.com/content/1-understanding-delirium

  Delirium is a common and often misunderstood syndrome. […] Among hospitalized patients who survived their delirium episode, the rates of persistent delirium at discharge are 45%, at one month are 33%, at three months are 26%, and at six months are 21%. […] Although rare in younger people, the condition can be found in as many 0.5% in those aged between 18 years and 55 years, and about 1% of those aged between 56 years and 85 years. The greatest incidence of delirium occurs in those older than 85 years, at more than 13%. […] Delirium is also present in about 15% to 20% of patients who are admitted to hospital. […] While delirium has been noted for thousands of years, it can be maddeningly difficult to recognize because its symptoms are found in many other conditions, for example, dementia or depression.

• #53 1. Understanding Delirium | ATrain Education

  https://www.atrainceu.com/content/1-understanding-delirium

  Delirium is a common and often misunderstood syndrome. […] Among hospitalized patients who survived their delirium episode, the rates of persistent delirium at discharge are 45%, at one month are 33%, at three months are 26%, and at six months are 21%. […] Although rare in younger people, the condition can be found in as many 0.5% in those aged between 18 years and 55 years, and about 1% of those aged between 56 years and 85 years. The greatest incidence of delirium occurs in those older than 85 years, at more than 13%. […] Delirium is also present in about 15% to 20% of patients who are admitted to hospital. […] While delirium has been noted for thousands of years, it can be maddeningly difficult to recognize because its symptoms are found in many other conditions, for example, dementia or depression.

• #54 Delirium (sudden confusion) – Overview | Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust

  https://www.guysandstthomas.nhs.uk/health-information/delirium-sudden-confusion

  Delirium (sudden confusion) usually affects peoples brains for a short time. It is a common condition. Up to 1 in 3 people admitted to hospital become delirious at some time during their stay. […] People with delirium might be confused or agitated and act differently than usual. They can seem alert or drowsy (sleepy). They might also have memory problems or see and hear things that are not there. […] Depending on how bad the delirium is, a person may need to go into hospital for treatment and management. For others, delirium can be treated at home. […] Delirium can change within the space of a day. People may be delirious, then appear normal and then be delirious again. Symptoms are often worse at night. […] Delirium usually gets better. In 6 out of 10 people (60%), the symptoms disappear within 6 days. Others may have some symptoms for longer. About 1 in 20 people (5%) may still have delirium more than a month after they first had symptoms. […] Delirium is always a serious condition. Although many people make a full recovery, some people never get back to how they were completely. This may apply if you: have dementia, have had delirium before, live in a care home (because it is likely that you already have health problems).

• #55 Delirium – StatPearls – NCBI Bookshelf

  https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK470399/

  The nature of delirium is transient but can persist in patients with predisposing factors. A systematic review showed that hospital delirium persisted until discharge in 45% of cases and persisted one month later in 33% of cases. […] The overall prognosis for patients with delirium is guarded. […] Long-term cognitive impairment: Accumulating evidence shows that delirium is not only a transient, reversible acute confusion but also can give rise to persistent long-term cognitive impairment.

• #56 Patient education: Delirium (Beyond the Basics) – UpToDate

  https://www.uptodate.com/contents/delirium-beyond-the-basics

  These changes develop over a short period of time (hours to days) and tend to become intermittently worse, especially in the afternoon and evening. This sudden change helps to differentiate delirium from dementia, which worsens slowly over months to years. […] Delirium can sometimes resolve within hours to days. In other cases, it takes weeks or months to fully resolve. […] Delirium has an enormous impact upon the health of older people. Patients with delirium may experience prolonged hospitalizations and a decreased ability to function independently, and are at high risk for requiring care in a long-term care facility (eg, nursing home). This may be the result of underlying conditions, such as mild dementia, that become unmasked or worsen as a result of the acute illness or medications that brought on the delirium. However, even patients with no prior history of brain disorders can require a long period of time to recover from delirium resulting from a severe illness.

• #57 Delirium – Neurologic Disorders – Merck Manual Professional Edition

  https://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/neurologic-disorders/delirium-and-dementia/delirium

  Delirium is an acute, transient, usually reversible, fluctuating disturbance in attention, cognition, and consciousness level. […] Delirium may occur at any age but is more common among older adults. At least 10% of older patients (65 years) who are admitted to the hospital have delirium; 15 to 50% experience delirium at some time during hospitalization, and it is particularly common after surgery and in patients admitted to an intensive care unit (ICU). […] Delirium often develops in patients with dementia and is called delirium superimposed on dementia (DSD). DSD can occur in up to 49% of patients with dementia during hospitalization. […] Delirium is characterized primarily by difficulty focusing, maintaining, or shifting attention (inattention). Consciousness level fluctuates; patients are disoriented to time and sometimes place or person. They may have hallucinations, delusions, and paranoia.

• #58 The Course of Delirium in Older Medical Inpatients

  https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC1494920/

  To describe the clinical course and outcomes of delirium up to 12 months after diagnosis, the relationship between the in-hospital clinical course and post-discharge outcomes, and the role of dementia in both the clinical course and outcomes of delirium. […] The mean numbers of symptoms of delirium at diagnosis and 12-month follow-up, respectively, were 4.5 and 3.5 in the subgroup of patients with dementia and 3.4 and 2.2 among those without dementia. Inattention, disorientation, and impaired memory were the most persistent symptoms in both subgroups. […] Among patients with and without dementia, symptoms of delirium persist up to 12 months after diagnosis. […] The most persistent symptoms, in patients both with and without dementia, were inattention, disorientation, and impaired memory.

• #59 The Course of Delirium in Older Medical Inpatients

  https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC1494920/

  The mean numbers of symptoms of delirium at diagnosis and 12-month follow-up, respectively, were 4.5 and 3.5 in the subgroup of patients with dementia and 3.4 and 2.2 among those without dementia. Delirium was present at 6 and 12 months in 38.5% and 48.9%, respectively, of patients with dementia and 8.8% and 14.8%, respectively, of patients without dementia. […] The duration of the initial delirium episode was longer for those with dementia. However, even after adjusting for baseline cognitive impairment, severity of illness, comorbidity, and other potentially confounding variables, the speed of resolution of the syndrome was associated with long-term functional and cognitive outcomes, but not with post-discharge mortality. […] The presence of delirium rather than its in-hospital clinical course appears to predict post-discharge mortality.

• #60 Delirium | Canadian Cancer Society

  https://cancer.ca/en/treatments/side-effects/delirium

  Delirium is a change in cognitive status that comes on quickly and suddenly over a number of hours or days. […] Delirium can be divided into 3 types. Each has its own signs and symptoms. […] Hypoactive delirium is the most common type of delirium found in people with advanced cancer. Signs include slow or decreased speech, lowered level of awareness and little movement or activity. People with hypoactive delirium can become extremely sleepy and lethargic. […] Hyperactive delirium has signs such as restlessness, agitation, anxiety and frequent mood changes. People with hyperactive delirium may be irritable, frustrated, angry, fearful or excited. They may also become physically aggressive. […] Mixed delirium has signs of both hypoactive and hyperactive delirium, and the person will go from having signs of one type to showing signs of the other. […] The main difference between delirium and dementia is that symptoms for delirium come on quickly, while the symptoms of dementia develop slowly over a period of time.

• #61 Patient education: Delirium (Beyond the Basics) – UpToDate

  https://www.uptodate.com/contents/delirium-beyond-the-basics

  These changes develop over a short period of time (hours to days) and tend to become intermittently worse, especially in the afternoon and evening. This sudden change helps to differentiate delirium from dementia, which worsens slowly over months to years. […] Delirium can sometimes resolve within hours to days. In other cases, it takes weeks or months to fully resolve. […] Delirium has an enormous impact upon the health of older people. Patients with delirium may experience prolonged hospitalizations and a decreased ability to function independently, and are at high risk for requiring care in a long-term care facility (eg, nursing home). This may be the result of underlying conditions, such as mild dementia, that become unmasked or worsen as a result of the acute illness or medications that brought on the delirium. However, even patients with no prior history of brain disorders can require a long period of time to recover from delirium resulting from a severe illness.

• #62 Delirium tremens: MedlinePlus Medical EncyclopediaLock

  https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/000766.htm

  Delirium tremens is a severe form of alcohol withdrawal. It involves sudden and severe mental or nervous system changes. […] Symptoms most often occur within 48 to 96 hours after the last drink. But, they may occur 7 to 10 days after the last drink. […] Symptoms may get worse quickly and can include: Agitation, irritability, Body tremors, Changes in mental function, Deep sleep that lasts for a day or longer, Sudden, severe confusion (delirium), Excitement or fear, Fever, Seeing or feeling things that are not really there (hallucinations), Bursts of energy, Quick mood changes, Restlessness, Sensitivity to light, sound, touch, Stupor, sleepiness, fatigue. […] Delirium tremens is serious and may be life-threatening. Some symptoms related to alcohol withdrawal may last for a year or more, including: Emotional mood swings, Feeling tired, Sleeplessness.

• #63 Delirium tremens: MedlinePlus Medical EncyclopediaLock

  https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/000766.htm

  Delirium tremens is a severe form of alcohol withdrawal. It involves sudden and severe mental or nervous system changes. […] Symptoms most often occur within 48 to 96 hours after the last drink. But, they may occur 7 to 10 days after the last drink. […] Symptoms may get worse quickly and can include: Agitation, irritability, Body tremors, Changes in mental function, Deep sleep that lasts for a day or longer, Sudden, severe confusion (delirium), Excitement or fear, Fever, Seeing or feeling things that are not really there (hallucinations), Bursts of energy, Quick mood changes, Restlessness, Sensitivity to light, sound, touch, Stupor, sleepiness, fatigue. […] Delirium tremens is serious and may be life-threatening. Some symptoms related to alcohol withdrawal may last for a year or more, including: Emotional mood swings, Feeling tired, Sleeplessness.

• #64 Delirium Tremens: What It Is, Causes, Symptoms & Treatment

  https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/25052-delirium-tremens

  Delirium tremens (DTs) is the most severe form of alcohol withdrawal. This condition can sometimes be life-threatening. DTs is possible when someone with alcohol use disorder, especially moderate or severe alcohol use disorder, suddenly stops drinking entirely. […] There are many possible symptoms of DTs, and some are more well-known than others. The symptoms can include: Tremors or shakes. These are among the most common (and most stereotypical) of DTs symptoms. Theyre most apparent in your hands. Confusion. This is a form of delirium specific to alcohol withdrawal (healthcare providers sometimes call this altered mental status). This, along with tremors, is where DTs gets its name. Agitation or anxiety. This can often lead to combative or aggressive behavior. Psychosis symptoms. People with DTs may have hallucinations seeing, feeling or hearing things that arent really there. Other psychosis symptoms are also possible, like paranoia. Sensory disruptions and disorientation. People with DTs often have reduced awareness of the environment around them because their senses arent working properly. Bouts of heavy sweating (diaphoresis). People with DTs will have periods where they sweat noticeably and heavily. These come and go. Seizures. These often start before withdrawal turns into DTs. Seizures can be dangerous or even deadly if they turn into status epilepticus. High body temperature (hyperthermia). Headaches. Nausea and vomiting. Fast heart rate (tachycardia).

• #65 Delirium tremens: MedlinePlus Medical EncyclopediaLock

  https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/000766.htm

  Delirium tremens is a severe form of alcohol withdrawal. It involves sudden and severe mental or nervous system changes. […] Symptoms most often occur within 48 to 96 hours after the last drink. But, they may occur 7 to 10 days after the last drink. […] Symptoms may get worse quickly and can include: Agitation, irritability, Body tremors, Changes in mental function, Deep sleep that lasts for a day or longer, Sudden, severe confusion (delirium), Excitement or fear, Fever, Seeing or feeling things that are not really there (hallucinations), Bursts of energy, Quick mood changes, Restlessness, Sensitivity to light, sound, touch, Stupor, sleepiness, fatigue. […] Delirium tremens is serious and may be life-threatening. Some symptoms related to alcohol withdrawal may last for a year or more, including: Emotional mood swings, Feeling tired, Sleeplessness.

• #66 Delirium Tremens: What It Is, Causes, Symptoms & Treatment

  https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/25052-delirium-tremens

  The only cause of DTs is withdrawal that happens when someone with alcohol use disorder stops drinking alcohol suddenly. They usually appear between one and three days after your last drink and are usually most intense four to five days after your last drink. […] The main symptoms of DTs often take between three to seven days to go away. You should start to feel better gradually during that time. In severe cases, you may experience some symptoms for weeks to months. […] DTs generally lasts up to seven days. Some people may experience some symptoms for up to two weeks. […] Even with treatment, one of the possible complications of DTs is death. Without treatment, about 15% of people with DTs dont survive. The risk of death is also higher if you have other severe medical conditions. With treatment, the survival rate of DTs is about 95%. The earlier a person gets treatment for DTs, the better the odds of survival and a positive outcome.

• #67 Delirium tremens: MedlinePlus Medical EncyclopediaLock

  https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/000766.htm

  Delirium tremens is a severe form of alcohol withdrawal. It involves sudden and severe mental or nervous system changes. […] Symptoms most often occur within 48 to 96 hours after the last drink. But, they may occur 7 to 10 days after the last drink. […] Symptoms may get worse quickly and can include: Agitation, irritability, Body tremors, Changes in mental function, Deep sleep that lasts for a day or longer, Sudden, severe confusion (delirium), Excitement or fear, Fever, Seeing or feeling things that are not really there (hallucinations), Bursts of energy, Quick mood changes, Restlessness, Sensitivity to light, sound, touch, Stupor, sleepiness, fatigue. […] Delirium tremens is serious and may be life-threatening. Some symptoms related to alcohol withdrawal may last for a year or more, including: Emotional mood swings, Feeling tired, Sleeplessness.

• #68 Delirium – Symptoms and causes – Mayo Clinic

  https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/delirium/symptoms-causes/syc-20371386

  People with other serious, long-lasting or terminal illnesses may not regain the thinking skills or function that they had before the onset of delirium. Delirium in seriously ill people is more likely to lead to a general decline in health, poor recovery from surgery, the need for long-term care, and an increased risk of death.

• #69 Delirium – StatPearls – NCBI Bookshelf

  https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK470399/

  Delirium is a clinical syndrome that usually develops in the elderly. It is characterized by an alteration of attention, consciousness, and cognition, with a reduced ability to focus, sustain or shift attention. It develops over a short period and fluctuates during the day. The clinical presentation can vary, usually with psychomotor behavioral disturbances such as hyperactivity or hypoactivity and impairment in sleep duration and architecture. By definition, delirium is caused by an underlying medical condition and is not better explained by another preexisting, evolving, or established neurocognitive disorder. The underlying cause of delirium can vary widely and involve anything that stresses the baseline homeostasis of a vulnerable patient. […] The diagnosis is often missed, especially the hypoactive type, due to its subtle clinical manifestation. Delirium is dangerous, often preventable, and associated with a significant cost burden and increased morbidity and mortality.

• #70 Assessment of delirium – Differential diagnosis of symptoms | BMJ Best Practice

  https://bestpractice.bmj.com/topics/en-gb/241

  Delirium is an acute, fluctuating change in mental status, with inattention, disorganised thinking, and altered levels of consciousness. […] It is a potentially life-threatening disorder characterised by high morbidity and mortality. […] Mortality for those diagnosed with delirium in hospital is twice that of patients with similar medical conditions without delirium and rises as high as 14% within 1 month of diagnosis. […] Delirium occurs in 20% to 25% of hospitalisations annually and is the most common hospital-related complication in the US. […] Delirium is common in the intensive care unit especially among mechanically ventilated patients. In critically ill patients, it is associated with an increased length of stay and increased mortality. […] Despite its frequency, delirium is frequently under-recognised given the fluctuating nature of symptoms and an overall under-appreciation of its significance by healthcare providers. Moreover, delirium has also been associated with elevated risks for functional and cognitive decline, poor rehabilitation potential, institutionalisation, and re-hospitalisation. […] While delirium is generally considered reversible, studies suggest that delirium symptoms can last for weeks to months following onset. […] Persistent delirium has been found to be frequent in older hospitalised patients, and associated with adverse outcomes.

• #71 Hospital Delirium: Symptoms, Treatment, and Recovery

  https://www.healthline.com/health/hospital-delirium

  Recovery time typically depends on the persons health before the episode. Most people can regain their regular abilities within a period of weeks or months. But those with serious health conditions, such as dementia, might never fully recover. […] Hospital delirium is associated with an increased risk of death. In the 2019 study cited above, delirium in older adults was linked to a greater risk of dying in the hospital. And according to 2022 research, ICU delirium is associated with a two- to four-times increase in the overall risk of death. […] Hospital-induced delirium is a condition that causes disruptions in awareness, attention, and cognition. It develops suddenly and may last for several hours or days.

• #72 Delirium | health.vic.gov.au

  https://www.health.vic.gov.au/older-people-in-hospital/cognition-dementia-delirium-and-depression/delirium

  Older people who experience delirium are at greater risk of functional and cognitive decline, falls, hospital acquired infections, pressure injuries and incontinence. Delirium can cause longer lasting cognitive impairments in patients after surgery and may lead to permanent cognitive decline and dementia in some patients. Delirium is also associated with higher mortality and morbidity, increased length of hospital stay and admission to residential care.

• #73 Assessment of delirium – Differential diagnosis of symptoms | BMJ Best Practice

  https://bestpractice.bmj.com/topics/en-gb/241

  Delirium is an acute, fluctuating change in mental status, with inattention, disorganised thinking, and altered levels of consciousness. […] It is a potentially life-threatening disorder characterised by high morbidity and mortality. […] Mortality for those diagnosed with delirium in hospital is twice that of patients with similar medical conditions without delirium and rises as high as 14% within 1 month of diagnosis. […] Delirium occurs in 20% to 25% of hospitalisations annually and is the most common hospital-related complication in the US. […] Delirium is common in the intensive care unit especially among mechanically ventilated patients. In critically ill patients, it is associated with an increased length of stay and increased mortality. […] Despite its frequency, delirium is frequently under-recognised given the fluctuating nature of symptoms and an overall under-appreciation of its significance by healthcare providers. Moreover, delirium has also been associated with elevated risks for functional and cognitive decline, poor rehabilitation potential, institutionalisation, and re-hospitalisation. […] While delirium is generally considered reversible, studies suggest that delirium symptoms can last for weeks to months following onset. […] Persistent delirium has been found to be frequent in older hospitalised patients, and associated with adverse outcomes.

• #74 Delirium – StatPearls – NCBI Bookshelf

  https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK470399/

  The nature of delirium is transient but can persist in patients with predisposing factors. A systematic review showed that hospital delirium persisted until discharge in 45% of cases and persisted one month later in 33% of cases. […] The overall prognosis for patients with delirium is guarded. […] Long-term cognitive impairment: Accumulating evidence shows that delirium is not only a transient, reversible acute confusion but also can give rise to persistent long-term cognitive impairment.

• #75 Delirium – symptoms, diagnosis and treatment | Alzheimer’s Society

  https://www.alzheimers.org.uk/get-support/daily-living/delirium

  Delirium is common, particularly among older people in hospital. Its usually the reaction of the brain to a separate problem. These health problems make it hard for the brain to work properly. This causes the symptoms of delirium. […] For many people the symptoms of delirium usually improve in a few days, once the underlying causes have been treated. However, some people dont make a quick or full recovery and may still be having problems with memory and thinking several weeks or even months after becoming unwell. Having prolonged and severe delirium over several weeks can increase a persons risk of developing dementia.

• #76 Delirium: Definition, Causes, and What It Feels Like

  https://www.verywellhealth.com/delirium-5223127

  If not prevented or treated, delirium is associated with several health complications and other negative outcomes. […] The complications of delirium may include: Infections, Skin problems, such as pressure sores, Cognitive decline, including dementia, Extended hospital stay, Need for long-term institutional care, Higher medical costs, Lowered quality of life, Emotional distress, both for the person and their loved ones, Higher risk of death, both in the short-term and long-term.

• #77 Patient education: Delirium (Beyond the Basics) – UpToDate

  https://www.uptodate.com/contents/delirium-beyond-the-basics

  These changes develop over a short period of time (hours to days) and tend to become intermittently worse, especially in the afternoon and evening. This sudden change helps to differentiate delirium from dementia, which worsens slowly over months to years. […] Delirium can sometimes resolve within hours to days. In other cases, it takes weeks or months to fully resolve. […] Delirium has an enormous impact upon the health of older people. Patients with delirium may experience prolonged hospitalizations and a decreased ability to function independently, and are at high risk for requiring care in a long-term care facility (eg, nursing home). This may be the result of underlying conditions, such as mild dementia, that become unmasked or worsen as a result of the acute illness or medications that brought on the delirium. However, even patients with no prior history of brain disorders can require a long period of time to recover from delirium resulting from a severe illness.

• #78 Delirium – symptoms, diagnosis and treatment | healthdirect

  https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/delirium

  Delirium can lead to several complications, including falling and injuring yourself, pressure sores from being immobile, dehydration and malnutrition due to difficulty eating and drinking. […] Delirium can be prevented with proper care. If you are at risk, your doctor may check your medicines and adjust those that may increase your risk, encourage you to eat and drink to stay hydrated and nourished, help you stay active.

• #79 Delirium: Definition, Causes, and What It Feels Like

  https://www.verywellhealth.com/delirium-5223127

  If not prevented or treated, delirium is associated with several health complications and other negative outcomes. […] The complications of delirium may include: Infections, Skin problems, such as pressure sores, Cognitive decline, including dementia, Extended hospital stay, Need for long-term institutional care, Higher medical costs, Lowered quality of life, Emotional distress, both for the person and their loved ones, Higher risk of death, both in the short-term and long-term.

• #80 Delirium: Definition, Causes, and What It Feels Like

  https://www.verywellhealth.com/delirium-5223127

  If not prevented or treated, delirium is associated with several health complications and other negative outcomes. […] The complications of delirium may include: Infections, Skin problems, such as pressure sores, Cognitive decline, including dementia, Extended hospital stay, Need for long-term institutional care, Higher medical costs, Lowered quality of life, Emotional distress, both for the person and their loved ones, Higher risk of death, both in the short-term and long-term.

• #81 Delirium – Symptoms and causes – Mayo Clinic

  https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/delirium/symptoms-causes/syc-20371386

  Delirium is a serious change in mental abilities. It results in confused thinking and a lack of awareness of someone’s surroundings. The disorder usually comes on fast within hours or a few days. […] Symptoms of delirium usually begin over a few hours or a few days. They typically occur with a medical problem. Symptoms often come and go during the day. There may be periods of no symptoms. Symptoms tend to be worse at night when it’s dark and things look less familiar. They also tend to be worse in settings that aren’t familiar, such as in a hospital. […] Delirium may last only a few hours or as long as several weeks or months. If the causes are addressed, the recovery time is often shorter. […] Recovery depends to some extent on the health and mental status before symptoms began. People with dementia, for example, may experience an overall decline in memory and thinking skills after a delirium episode. People in better health are more likely to fully recover.

• #82 Delirium – StatPearls – NCBI Bookshelf

  https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK470399/

  The nature of delirium is transient but can persist in patients with predisposing factors. A systematic review showed that hospital delirium persisted until discharge in 45% of cases and persisted one month later in 33% of cases. […] The overall prognosis for patients with delirium is guarded. […] Long-term cognitive impairment: Accumulating evidence shows that delirium is not only a transient, reversible acute confusion but also can give rise to persistent long-term cognitive impairment.

• #83 Delirium – Neurologic Disorders – Merck Manual Professional Edition

  https://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/neurologic-disorders/delirium-and-dementia/delirium

  Symptoms fluctuate over minutes to hours; they may lessen during the day and worsen at night. […] In older adults, delirium tends to last longer, and recovery may be slow (days to even weeks or months), resulting in longer hospital stays, increased risk and severity of complications, increased costs, and long-term disability. Some patients never fully recover from delirium.

• #84 Caring for Someone With Delirium | Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center

  https://www.mskcc.org/cancer-care/patient-education/delirium

  Delirium is a sudden (quick) change in the way a person thinks and acts. People with delirium cannot pay attention to whats going on around them, and their thinking is not clear. This can be scary for the person with delirium, their family, caregivers, and friends. […] Delirium can start suddenly, such as in a few hours, and can last for a few days. Or, it can happen slowly, over several days or weeks. The symptoms can come and go. […] Delirium is sometimes confused with dementia (deh-MEN-shuh), but they are not the same thing. Dementia is a state of confusion that slowly gets worse over time. It will not get better. Delirium happens suddenly. You will notice a change in the person right away. It often gets better with treatment. […] Delirium can last from a day to sometimes months. If the persons medical problems get better, they may be able to go home before their delirium goes away. Some peoples delirium symptoms get much better when they go home. […] Other people can still have delirium symptoms months after the cause of their delirium was treated. You may notice they still have trouble remembering things, such as the date or where they are.

• #85 Delirium – StatPearls – NCBI Bookshelf

  https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK470399/

  The nature of delirium is transient but can persist in patients with predisposing factors. A systematic review showed that hospital delirium persisted until discharge in 45% of cases and persisted one month later in 33% of cases. […] The overall prognosis for patients with delirium is guarded. […] Long-term cognitive impairment: Accumulating evidence shows that delirium is not only a transient, reversible acute confusion but also can give rise to persistent long-term cognitive impairment.

• #86 The Course of Delirium in Older Medical Inpatients

  https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC1494920/

  To describe the clinical course and outcomes of delirium up to 12 months after diagnosis, the relationship between the in-hospital clinical course and post-discharge outcomes, and the role of dementia in both the clinical course and outcomes of delirium. […] The mean numbers of symptoms of delirium at diagnosis and 12-month follow-up, respectively, were 4.5 and 3.5 in the subgroup of patients with dementia and 3.4 and 2.2 among those without dementia. Inattention, disorientation, and impaired memory were the most persistent symptoms in both subgroups. […] Among patients with and without dementia, symptoms of delirium persist up to 12 months after diagnosis. […] The most persistent symptoms, in patients both with and without dementia, were inattention, disorientation, and impaired memory.

• #87 The Course of Delirium in Older Medical Inpatients

  https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC1494920/

  To describe the clinical course and outcomes of delirium up to 12 months after diagnosis, the relationship between the in-hospital clinical course and post-discharge outcomes, and the role of dementia in both the clinical course and outcomes of delirium. […] The mean numbers of symptoms of delirium at diagnosis and 12-month follow-up, respectively, were 4.5 and 3.5 in the subgroup of patients with dementia and 3.4 and 2.2 among those without dementia. Inattention, disorientation, and impaired memory were the most persistent symptoms in both subgroups. […] Among patients with and without dementia, symptoms of delirium persist up to 12 months after diagnosis. […] The most persistent symptoms, in patients both with and without dementia, were inattention, disorientation, and impaired memory.

• #88 The Course of Delirium in Older Medical Inpatients

  https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC1494920/

  To describe the clinical course and outcomes of delirium up to 12 months after diagnosis, the relationship between the in-hospital clinical course and post-discharge outcomes, and the role of dementia in both the clinical course and outcomes of delirium. […] The mean numbers of symptoms of delirium at diagnosis and 12-month follow-up, respectively, were 4.5 and 3.5 in the subgroup of patients with dementia and 3.4 and 2.2 among those without dementia. Inattention, disorientation, and impaired memory were the most persistent symptoms in both subgroups. […] Among patients with and without dementia, symptoms of delirium persist up to 12 months after diagnosis. […] The most persistent symptoms, in patients both with and without dementia, were inattention, disorientation, and impaired memory.

• #89 Delirium tremens: MedlinePlus Medical EncyclopediaLock

  https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/000766.htm

  Delirium tremens is a severe form of alcohol withdrawal. It involves sudden and severe mental or nervous system changes. […] Symptoms most often occur within 48 to 96 hours after the last drink. But, they may occur 7 to 10 days after the last drink. […] Symptoms may get worse quickly and can include: Agitation, irritability, Body tremors, Changes in mental function, Deep sleep that lasts for a day or longer, Sudden, severe confusion (delirium), Excitement or fear, Fever, Seeing or feeling things that are not really there (hallucinations), Bursts of energy, Quick mood changes, Restlessness, Sensitivity to light, sound, touch, Stupor, sleepiness, fatigue. […] Delirium tremens is serious and may be life-threatening. Some symptoms related to alcohol withdrawal may last for a year or more, including: Emotional mood swings, Feeling tired, Sleeplessness.

• #90 Delirium tremens: MedlinePlus Medical EncyclopediaLock

  https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/000766.htm

  Delirium tremens is a severe form of alcohol withdrawal. It involves sudden and severe mental or nervous system changes. […] Symptoms most often occur within 48 to 96 hours after the last drink. But, they may occur 7 to 10 days after the last drink. […] Symptoms may get worse quickly and can include: Agitation, irritability, Body tremors, Changes in mental function, Deep sleep that lasts for a day or longer, Sudden, severe confusion (delirium), Excitement or fear, Fever, Seeing or feeling things that are not really there (hallucinations), Bursts of energy, Quick mood changes, Restlessness, Sensitivity to light, sound, touch, Stupor, sleepiness, fatigue. […] Delirium tremens is serious and may be life-threatening. Some symptoms related to alcohol withdrawal may last for a year or more, including: Emotional mood swings, Feeling tired, Sleeplessness.

• #91 Delirium tremens: MedlinePlus Medical EncyclopediaLock

  https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/000766.htm

  Delirium tremens is a severe form of alcohol withdrawal. It involves sudden and severe mental or nervous system changes. […] Symptoms most often occur within 48 to 96 hours after the last drink. But, they may occur 7 to 10 days after the last drink. […] Symptoms may get worse quickly and can include: Agitation, irritability, Body tremors, Changes in mental function, Deep sleep that lasts for a day or longer, Sudden, severe confusion (delirium), Excitement or fear, Fever, Seeing or feeling things that are not really there (hallucinations), Bursts of energy, Quick mood changes, Restlessness, Sensitivity to light, sound, touch, Stupor, sleepiness, fatigue. […] Delirium tremens is serious and may be life-threatening. Some symptoms related to alcohol withdrawal may last for a year or more, including: Emotional mood swings, Feeling tired, Sleeplessness.

• #92 Delirium – PsychDB

  https://www.psychdb.com/cl/1-delirium

  Delirium should be thought of as a symptom, not a diagnosis. That is, you must recognize it and treat the underlying condition causing the delirium! […] One of the prevailing theories of the pathogenesis of delirium is acetylcholine deficiency. Acetylcholine plays an extensive role in attention and consciousness, and deficiencies are thought to result in the core symptoms of both hypoactive and hyperactive delirium. These symptoms include inattention, disorganized thinking, and hallucinations. […] Delirium may serve as a marker for future cognitive decline and risk for future development of dementia. Incomplete recovery from delirium (even after discharge from hospital) can be common, and patients may need weeks or months to gradually recover.

• #93 Delirium | Nature Reviews Disease Primers

  https://www.nature.com/articles/s41572-020-00223-4

  This prospective longitudinal cohort study demonstrated that critically ill patients are at risk of LTCI after critical illness, that this new LTCI can persist at 3 and 12 months follow-up, and that it is associated with duration of delirium. […] This paper represents the clearest demonstration that progressive cognitive decline is a progressively increasing risk factor for delirium and also demonstrates, in mice, that this decline is correlated with increasing synaptic loss and can precede frank neurodegeneration. […] This meta-analysis provides evidence that, in elderly patients, delirium is associated with poor outcomes (mortality, institutionalization and dementia), independent of important confounders. […] This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial (MIND-USA) evaluated haloperidol, ziprasidone or placebo for treating delirium in critically ill patients with respiratory failure or shock, finding no effect of these antipsychotic drugs on days alive without delirium or coma, or duration of delirium or coma.

• #94 Postoperative delirium in seniors: Recognizing the symptoms, reducing the risks | Aging | Brain | UT Southwestern Medical Center

  https://utswmed.org/medblog/postoperative-delirium-seniors-recognizing-symptoms-reducing-risks/

  Post-operative delirium is the most common complication of surgery for older adults, according to the American Geriatric Society. […] But when patients experience marked changes in mental function such as confusion, disorientation, persistent sleepiness, hallucinations, agitation, or aggression they might be experiencing post-operative delirium. […] Symptoms can appear within hours to weeks after surgery. […] Most cases of delirium last a week or less, with symptoms that gradually decline as the patient recovers from surgery. However, the condition can last for weeks or months in patients with underlying memory or cognitive challenges such as dementia, vision, or hearing impairment, or a history of post-operative delirium. […] After surgery, we watch for particular symptoms of delirium, which can include: Agitation, Difficulty focusing, Fatigue and sluggishness, Hallucinating, Slurred speech, Restlessness, Rapid mood swings, Uncooperative or aggressive behavior. […] There is no medication to treat postoperative delirium, and prevention is key. […] The first step to treat a patient with delirium is to identify the cause of their symptoms.

• #95 Postoperative delirium in seniors: Recognizing the symptoms, reducing the risks | Aging | Brain | UT Southwestern Medical Center

  https://utswmed.org/medblog/postoperative-delirium-seniors-recognizing-symptoms-reducing-risks/

  Post-operative delirium is the most common complication of surgery for older adults, according to the American Geriatric Society. […] But when patients experience marked changes in mental function such as confusion, disorientation, persistent sleepiness, hallucinations, agitation, or aggression they might be experiencing post-operative delirium. […] Symptoms can appear within hours to weeks after surgery. […] Most cases of delirium last a week or less, with symptoms that gradually decline as the patient recovers from surgery. However, the condition can last for weeks or months in patients with underlying memory or cognitive challenges such as dementia, vision, or hearing impairment, or a history of post-operative delirium. […] After surgery, we watch for particular symptoms of delirium, which can include: Agitation, Difficulty focusing, Fatigue and sluggishness, Hallucinating, Slurred speech, Restlessness, Rapid mood swings, Uncooperative or aggressive behavior. […] There is no medication to treat postoperative delirium, and prevention is key. […] The first step to treat a patient with delirium is to identify the cause of their symptoms.

• #96 Postoperative delirium in seniors: Recognizing the symptoms, reducing the risks | Aging | Brain | UT Southwestern Medical Center

  https://utswmed.org/medblog/postoperative-delirium-seniors-recognizing-symptoms-reducing-risks/

  Post-operative delirium is the most common complication of surgery for older adults, according to the American Geriatric Society. […] But when patients experience marked changes in mental function such as confusion, disorientation, persistent sleepiness, hallucinations, agitation, or aggression they might be experiencing post-operative delirium. […] Symptoms can appear within hours to weeks after surgery. […] Most cases of delirium last a week or less, with symptoms that gradually decline as the patient recovers from surgery. However, the condition can last for weeks or months in patients with underlying memory or cognitive challenges such as dementia, vision, or hearing impairment, or a history of post-operative delirium. […] After surgery, we watch for particular symptoms of delirium, which can include: Agitation, Difficulty focusing, Fatigue and sluggishness, Hallucinating, Slurred speech, Restlessness, Rapid mood swings, Uncooperative or aggressive behavior. […] There is no medication to treat postoperative delirium, and prevention is key. […] The first step to treat a patient with delirium is to identify the cause of their symptoms.

• #97 Patients and Families Overview

  https://www.icudelirium.org/patients-and-families/overview

  What is delirium? The word delirium is used to describe a severe state of confusion. People with delirium: […] Delirium is common. About 2 out of 3 patients in ICUs get delirium. Seven out of 10 patients get delirium while they are on a breathing machine or soon after. […] Delirium was the number one predictive factor for cognitive impairment. […] Delirium comes on quickly, in hours or days. Signs of delirium can change from one day to the next. Delirium can make memory and thinking problems worse. Delirium usually clears up after a few days or even a week. […] Research shows that patients who develop delirium might have dementia-like thinking problems that can last for months.

• #98 Patients and Families Overview

  https://www.icudelirium.org/patients-and-families/overview

  What is delirium? The word delirium is used to describe a severe state of confusion. People with delirium: […] Delirium is common. About 2 out of 3 patients in ICUs get delirium. Seven out of 10 patients get delirium while they are on a breathing machine or soon after. […] Delirium was the number one predictive factor for cognitive impairment. […] Delirium comes on quickly, in hours or days. Signs of delirium can change from one day to the next. Delirium can make memory and thinking problems worse. Delirium usually clears up after a few days or even a week. […] Research shows that patients who develop delirium might have dementia-like thinking problems that can last for months.

• #99 Assessment of delirium – Differential diagnosis of symptoms | BMJ Best Practice

  https://bestpractice.bmj.com/topics/en-gb/241

  Delirium is an acute, fluctuating change in mental status, with inattention, disorganised thinking, and altered levels of consciousness. […] It is a potentially life-threatening disorder characterised by high morbidity and mortality. […] Mortality for those diagnosed with delirium in hospital is twice that of patients with similar medical conditions without delirium and rises as high as 14% within 1 month of diagnosis. […] Delirium occurs in 20% to 25% of hospitalisations annually and is the most common hospital-related complication in the US. […] Delirium is common in the intensive care unit especially among mechanically ventilated patients. In critically ill patients, it is associated with an increased length of stay and increased mortality. […] Despite its frequency, delirium is frequently under-recognised given the fluctuating nature of symptoms and an overall under-appreciation of its significance by healthcare providers. Moreover, delirium has also been associated with elevated risks for functional and cognitive decline, poor rehabilitation potential, institutionalisation, and re-hospitalisation. […] While delirium is generally considered reversible, studies suggest that delirium symptoms can last for weeks to months following onset. […] Persistent delirium has been found to be frequent in older hospitalised patients, and associated with adverse outcomes.

• #100 Managing delirium and psychological symptoms in the last days of life

  https://bpac.org.nz/2023/last-days-of-life/delirium.aspx

  Delirium is a prevalent feature in the last days of life where people experience fluctuations in their attention, cognition, awareness and perception. […] The cause of delirium in the last days of life is usually multifactorial, involving multiple organ failure and other factors that are now largely irreversible, e.g. hypoxia, metabolic abnormalities. […] Delirium occurring in the last days of life (which may include terminal restlessness or terminal agitation) is reported to occur in some form in up to 90% of people. […] People with delirium typically experience fluctuations in attention, cognition, awareness and perception. […] Delirium can cause significant distress to the patient and to those supporting them in their last days of life, particularly as this is a time when the patient’s cognition, awareness and ability to communicate is highly valued.

• #101 Managing delirium and psychological symptoms in the last days of life

  https://bpac.org.nz/2023/last-days-of-life/delirium.aspx

  Delirium is a prevalent feature in the last days of life where people experience fluctuations in their attention, cognition, awareness and perception. […] The cause of delirium in the last days of life is usually multifactorial, involving multiple organ failure and other factors that are now largely irreversible, e.g. hypoxia, metabolic abnormalities. […] Delirium occurring in the last days of life (which may include terminal restlessness or terminal agitation) is reported to occur in some form in up to 90% of people. […] People with delirium typically experience fluctuations in attention, cognition, awareness and perception. […] Delirium can cause significant distress to the patient and to those supporting them in their last days of life, particularly as this is a time when the patient’s cognition, awareness and ability to communicate is highly valued.

• #102 Managing delirium and psychological symptoms in the last days of life

  https://bpac.org.nz/2023/last-days-of-life/delirium.aspx

  Delirium is a prevalent feature in the last days of life where people experience fluctuations in their attention, cognition, awareness and perception. […] The cause of delirium in the last days of life is usually multifactorial, involving multiple organ failure and other factors that are now largely irreversible, e.g. hypoxia, metabolic abnormalities. […] Delirium occurring in the last days of life (which may include terminal restlessness or terminal agitation) is reported to occur in some form in up to 90% of people. […] People with delirium typically experience fluctuations in attention, cognition, awareness and perception. […] Delirium can cause significant distress to the patient and to those supporting them in their last days of life, particularly as this is a time when the patient’s cognition, awareness and ability to communicate is highly valued.

• #103 Delirium in palliative care | Information for professionals | Marie Curie

  https://www.mariecurie.org.uk/professionals/palliative-care-knowledge-zone/delirium

  Delirium is a serious condition which causes a sudden change in how a person thinks and behaves. It becomes more common as people approach the end of life. Symptoms of delirium may come and go, and sometimes get worse at night. Delirium usually starts suddenly over hours or days. Delirium may cause a person to feel confused and develop problems with their memory, feel disorientated, have difficulty talking and understanding what people say to them, find it difficult to concentrate, say or do things that are out of character, experience auditory or visual hallucinations, and think that people are trying to harm them. Many people will recover from delirium if the underlying causes are treated. Towards the end of life, people may not recover from their delirium, and healthcare professionals should focus on making them comfortable. Many people will recover from delirium. But this may not always happen if the person is approaching the end of life. Recovery from delirium may take a few days. But for others, recovery may take longer. Many people will get better once the underlying cause of delirium is treated, if they’re not approaching the end of their life. Delirium causing agitation in the last hours or days of life is sometimes called terminal agitation.

• #104 Managing delirium and psychological symptoms in the last days of life

  https://bpac.org.nz/2023/last-days-of-life/delirium.aspx

  Some causes or exacerbating factors of delirium can be managed in the final days, such as pain, urinary retention, certain medicines (e.g. opioids, benzodiazepines, anticholinergics) or substances (e.g. nicotine withdrawal) and infection. […] Patients currently taking antidepressants for psychological symptoms should continue to do so until swallowing is no longer possible (if they are providing benefit). […] An antipsychotic or benzodiazepine may be required for some patients if conservative management is unsuccessful.

• #105 Delirium when someone has a terminal illness | Marie Curie

  https://www.mariecurie.org.uk/information/symptoms/delirium

  Symptoms of delirium sometimes get worse at night. This can be because of lack of sleep or daylight. […] Delirium can usually be treated once a healthcare professional has found the cause. […] If the person is approaching the end of life, they may not recover from their delirium. […] Sometimes, delirium may cause the person to become agitated towards the end of their life. This is sometimes called terminal agitation. […] Medication may be needed to keep them calm and comfortable.

• #106 Delirium – Together by St. Jude™

  https://together.stjude.org/en-us/treatment-tests-procedures/symptoms-side-effects/delirium.html

  Up to 7 out of 10 patients in the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) have a sudden change in their thinking and alertness. […] Patients are at higher risk of delirium if they: Have advanced illness; Get sedating medicines (medicines that make them sleepy); Have trouble seeing, hearing, or communicating; Need a breathing machine (ventilator); Need a bladder catheter; Have limited movement or are not able to get out of bed. […] Delirium is an unusual change in a patient’s thoughts, emotions, personality, or behavior. […] Delirium is common among patients in the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU). […] Treatment for delirium may include treating the underlying causes of delirium, medicines, or environmental changes and support. […] Let your care team know right away if your child seems confused, agitated, or has other signs or symptoms of delirium.

• #107

  https://www.aacap.org/AACAP/Families_and_Youth/Facts_for_Families/FFF-Guide/Delirium-in-Children-and-Adolescents-120.aspx

  Delirium is a serious condition involving severe confusion and changes of behavior. Many conditions can cause delirium such as infection, fever or medication side effects. […] Symptoms of delirium may come and go. They can include: Confusion not knowing where they are, what day it is, who they’re with or who they are, Agitation or restlessness, Picking at things that aren’t there, Being upset and not responding to usual soothing, Trouble with attention or memory, Difficulty staying alert, Sleep disturbances, New or different behaviors like aggression, suspiciousness, or being withdrawn, Talking in a way that doesn’t make sense, Seeing or hearing things that aren’t real. […] If your child has delirium in the hospital, your doctor may recommend a consultation with a child and adolescent psychiatrist to help evaluate and treat your child. When a child has delirium or a serious medical illness, this experience can be stressful for both the child and the family. Sometimes continued mental health support may be helpful to address emotional or behavioral consequences even after the delirium has gone away.

• #108 Delirium – Together by St. Jude™

  https://together.stjude.org/en-us/treatment-tests-procedures/symptoms-side-effects/delirium.html

  Delirium is a sudden change in mental state or behavior where a patient seems confused, disoriented, restless, or unusually sleepy. […] If your child has delirium, they might: Act confused, such as not knowing where they are or who you are; Say things that don’t make sense; See or hear things that aren’t there; have hallucinations; Be upset, agitated, or angry, especially if the usual ways you calm them down don’t work; Sleep too much or too little, or sleep a lot in the daytime and stay awake at night; Act different than usual such as scared, depressed, jumpy, restless, watchful, suspicious, or disinterested; Refuse medicines, pull on IV lines, or not cooperate or not listen to instructions. […] Delirium can come and go quickly. Sometimes, it can last several days or weeks. Treating delirium often involves finding the main causes and treating them.

• #109 Delirium – Together by St. Jude™

  https://together.stjude.org/en-us/treatment-tests-procedures/symptoms-side-effects/delirium.html

  Up to 7 out of 10 patients in the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) have a sudden change in their thinking and alertness. […] Patients are at higher risk of delirium if they: Have advanced illness; Get sedating medicines (medicines that make them sleepy); Have trouble seeing, hearing, or communicating; Need a breathing machine (ventilator); Need a bladder catheter; Have limited movement or are not able to get out of bed. […] Delirium is an unusual change in a patient’s thoughts, emotions, personality, or behavior. […] Delirium is common among patients in the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU). […] Treatment for delirium may include treating the underlying causes of delirium, medicines, or environmental changes and support. […] Let your care team know right away if your child seems confused, agitated, or has other signs or symptoms of delirium.

• #110 Delirium – StatPearls – NCBI Bookshelf

  https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK470399/

  The nature of delirium is transient but can persist in patients with predisposing factors. A systematic review showed that hospital delirium persisted until discharge in 45% of cases and persisted one month later in 33% of cases. […] The overall prognosis for patients with delirium is guarded. […] Long-term cognitive impairment: Accumulating evidence shows that delirium is not only a transient, reversible acute confusion but also can give rise to persistent long-term cognitive impairment.

• #111 Patient education: Delirium (Beyond the Basics) – UpToDate

  https://www.uptodate.com/contents/delirium-beyond-the-basics

  These changes develop over a short period of time (hours to days) and tend to become intermittently worse, especially in the afternoon and evening. This sudden change helps to differentiate delirium from dementia, which worsens slowly over months to years. […] Delirium can sometimes resolve within hours to days. In other cases, it takes weeks or months to fully resolve. […] Delirium has an enormous impact upon the health of older people. Patients with delirium may experience prolonged hospitalizations and a decreased ability to function independently, and are at high risk for requiring care in a long-term care facility (eg, nursing home). This may be the result of underlying conditions, such as mild dementia, that become unmasked or worsen as a result of the acute illness or medications that brought on the delirium. However, even patients with no prior history of brain disorders can require a long period of time to recover from delirium resulting from a severe illness.

• #112 Delirium – Brain, Spinal Cord, and Nerve Disorders – Merck Manual Consumer Version

  https://www.merckmanuals.com/home/brain-spinal-cord-and-nerve-disorders/delirium-and-dementia/delirium

  Delirium is often the first sign of another, sometimes serious disorder. For example, the first symptom in older adults with COVID-19 may be delirium, sometimes with no other symptoms of COVID-19. […] Most people with delirium recover fully if the condition causing delirium is rapidly identified and treated. Any delay decreases the chance of a full recovery. Even when delirium is treated, some symptoms may persist for many weeks or months, and improvement may occur slowly. In some people, delirium evolves into chronic brain dysfunction similar to dementia.

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