Materiały źródłowe

• #1 Delirium – StatPearls – NCBI Bookshelf

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

  Delirium is a manifestation of stress on the function of the central nervous system in a vulnerable patient. The pathophysiology is not fully understood, and there is likely no single etiology. Multiple theories describe the potential pathophysiologic causes of delirium, and any single case of delirium probably involves one or more of these theories in a complex and interconnected process. Multifactorial models have been accepted, describing delirium as an interaction of a vulnerable patient with predisposing factors exposed to noxious insults or precipitant factors. […] There is no single mechanism to explain the etiology of delirium. It is a complicated and multifactorial process. Several hypotheses describe different aspects of the pathophysiology of delirium, and multiple processes are likely to occur simultaneously to create the delirium syndrome.

• #2 Delirium

  https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9012267/

  Delirium, a condition characterized by an acute change in attention, awareness and cognition, is caused by a medical condition that cannot be better explained by a pre-existing neurocognitive disorder. […] Because multiple factors are implicated in the aetiology of delirium, there are likely several neurobiological processes contributing to delirium pathogenesis, including neuroinflammation, brain vascular dysfunction, altered brain metabolism, neurotransmitter imbalance and impaired neuronal network connectivity. […] As several different factors are implicated in the aetiology of delirium, including sepsis, fractures, surgery, medication changes, hypoglycaemia and liver failure, it follows that distinct neurobiological mechanisms or combinations of them are involved in delirium pathogenesis.

• #3 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. It happens when there’s widespread disruption in brain activity, usually because of a combination of factors. […] Available research indicates that delirium is a complex condition that doesn’t happen for a single reason. Instead, delirium occurs when the balancing act between your functional capacity, your functional limitations and other stressors gets pushed too far. […] The more stressors and risk factors you have, the easier it is for delirium to happen. When stressors outweigh your functional reserve capacity either on their own or because risk factors make you more vulnerable you can develop delirium. […] Delirium involves widespread disruption in brain activity, which can lead to many complications. […] The outlook for delirium can vary widely. In general, the outlook tends to be worse when delirium goes undiagnosed for long periods, or when it’s particularly severe.

• #4 Delirium | Nature Reviews Disease Primers

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

  Delirium, a syndrome characterized by an acute change in attention, awareness and cognition, is caused by a medical condition that cannot be better explained by a pre-existing neurocognitive disorder. […] Because multiple factors are implicated in the aetiology of delirium, there are likely several neurobiological processes that contribute to delirium pathogenesis, including neuroinflammation, brain vascular dysfunction, altered brain metabolism, neurotransmitter imbalance and impaired neuronal network connectivity. […] Pharmacological treatments for delirium (such as antipsychotic drugs) are not effective, reflecting substantial gaps in our understanding of its pathophysiology. […] This perspective piece gathers many key observations on clinical and volunteer neurophysiology studies detailing the relationship between EEG and delirium symptoms as well as making a compelling case for the role of disturbed brain energy metabolism as a driver of delirium.

• #5 Delirium

  https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9012267/

  The interaction between an underlying predisposition and a superimposed acute stressor is key to delirium pathophysiology. […] Key processes include changes in brain connectivity, neuroinflammatory and glial cell alterations and vascular changes. […] This list is not exhaustive, and the potential for acute stress to disrupt function in the vulnerable brain can be further potentiated by poor nutrition and hydration and by ageing-associated renal and hepatic impairment, causing slower metabolism and clearance of potentially neurotoxic drugs and metabolites. […] As mentioned earlier, delirium is triggered by a wide variety of acute medical conditions. […] The brain requires a large amount of energy, and as either oxygen or glucose deficiency can markedly constrain brain function, acute illness might impair brain metabolism in multiple ways.

• #6 Delirium – StatPearls – NCBI Bookshelf

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

  Changes associated with age lead to diminished physiologic reserve and increased vulnerability to physical stress and illness. Some changes associated with age include decreased brain blood perfusion, increased neuron loss, and changes in the proportion of stress-regulating neurotransmitters. […] Peripheral inflammatory insults damage endothelial cell-cell adhesions at the blood-brain barrier. The increased endothelial permeability promotes inflammation in the central nervous system, causing further damage, ischemia, and neuronal death. […] Reactive oxygen species and reactive nitrogen species are mediators of cellular damage. The central nervous system is particularly vulnerable to reactive oxygen species due to its high lipid content and low antioxidant capacity. […] Disruption in sleep duration and architecture and melatonin secretion leads to dysfunction of many systems. Melatonin affects many functions in the central nervous system, including regulation of sleep-wake cycles, glucose regulation, core body temperature, antioxidant defenses, and immune system response.

• #7 Delirium

  https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9012267/

  The long-standing cerebral metabolic insufficiency hypothesis proposes that delirium is caused by the failure to meet the energy requirements of the brain, and although this hypothesis is supported by data from various sources, as we discuss below, substantial gaps in our understanding persist owing to the paucity of studies directly testing this hypothesis in animals or patients. […] Peripheral inflammation is a well-established trigger of delirium but the precise mechanisms by which it disrupts brain function is not clearly understood and most of the discussion here relates to animal model studies. […] Although neuroinflammatory hypotheses of delirium are widely discussed, most clinical delirium data address an imprecisely specified inflammatory hypothesis rather than a specifically neuro-inflammatory hypothesis.

• #8 Delirium: Practice Essentials, Background, Pathophysiology

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

  Delirium is typically a transient global disorder of cognition; however, growing evidence shows that this is not always true. […] The mechanism of delirium still is not fully understood. Delirium results from a wide variety of structural or physiological insults. The neuropathogenesis of delirium has been studied in patients with hepatic encephalopathy and alcohol withdrawal. […] The main hypothesis is reversible impairment of cerebral oxidative metabolism and multiple neurotransmitter abnormalities. […] Data from animal and clinical studies support the hypothesis that acetylcholine is one of the critical neurotransmitters in the pathogenesis of delirium. […] In delirium, an excess of dopaminergic activity occurs. […] Studies have suggested a role for cytokines, such as interleukin-1 and interleukin-6, in the pathogenesis of delirium. […] Studies indicate psychosocial stress and sleep deprivation facilitate the onset of delirium. […] The specific neuronal pathways that cause delirium are unknown. […] Disrupted bloodbrain barrier can allow neurotoxic agents and inflammatory cytokines to enter the brain and may cause delirium.

• #9 Delirium – Wikipedia

  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Delirium

  The pathophysiology of delirium is still not well understood, despite extensive research. […] The lack of animal models that are relevant to delirium has left many key questions in delirium pathophysiology unanswered. […] Profound systemic inflammation occurring during sepsis is also known to cause delirium (often termed sepsis-associated encephalopathy). […] A 2018 systematic review showed that, broadly, delirium may be associated with neurotransmitter imbalance (namely serotonin and dopamine signaling), reversible fall in somatostatin, and increased cortisol. […] Evidence for changes in structural and functional markers include: changes in white-matter integrity (white matter lesions), decreases in brain volume (likely as a result of tissue atrophy), abnormal functional connectivity of brain regions responsible for normal processing of executive function, sensory processing, attention, emotional regulation, memory, and orientation, differences in autoregulation of the vascular vessels in the brain, reduction in cerebral blood flow and possible changes in brain metabolism (including cerebral tissue oxygenation and glucose hypometabolism).

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

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

  Dopaminergic excess is also believed to contribute. Evidence does not appear to support the use of antipsychotic medications (dopamine antagonists) for the prevention or treatment of delirium, but is not entirely consistent. […] Other neurotransmitters implicated in the pathophysiology of delirium include noradrenaline, serotonin, gamma-aminobutyric acid, glutamate, and melatonin. […] Evidence also points to the role of cytokines such as interleukins 1 and 2 and TNF-alpha and interferon in contributing to delirium. […] Finally, chronic hypercortisolism, as induced by chronic stress secondary to illness or trauma, may also contribute to delirium initiation.

• #11 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. […] Mechanisms are not fully understood but may involve reversible impairment of cerebral oxidative metabolism. […] Multiple neurotransmitter abnormalities, especially cholinergic deficiency. […] Stress of any kind upregulates sympathetic tone and downregulates parasympathetic tone, impairing cholinergic function and thus contributing to delirium. […] Regardless of the cause, the cerebral hemispheres and arousal mechanisms of the thalamus and brain stem reticular activating system become impaired.

• #12 Delirium: Practice Essentials, Background, Pathophysiology

  https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/793247-clinical

  Delirium is defined as a transient, usually reversible, cause of mental dysfunction and manifests clinically with a wide range of neuropsychiatric abnormalities. […] The mechanism of delirium still is not fully understood. Delirium results from a wide variety of structural or physiological insults. The neuropathogenesis of delirium has been studied in patients with hepatic encephalopathy and alcohol withdrawal. Research in these areas is limited. The main hypothesis is reversible impairment of cerebral oxidative metabolism and multiple neurotransmitter abnormalities. […] Data from animal and clinical studies support the hypothesis that acetylcholine is one of the critical neurotransmitters in the pathogenesis of delirium. […] In delirium, an excess of dopaminergic activity occurs. […] Studies have suggested a role for cytokines, such as interleukin-1 and interleukin-6, in the pathogenesis of delirium.

• #13 Delirium – StatPearls – NCBI Bookshelf

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

  Delirium is associated with decreased acetylcholine and increased dopamine activity. The brain’s dopaminergic and cholinergic pathways overlap, and their balance is vital to brain function. […] Increased glucocorticoid release in response to physiologic stress increases the vulnerability of neurons to subsequent damage and impacts the regulation of gene transcription, cellular signaling, and glial cell behavior.

• #14

  https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10354-021-00904-z

  Delirium is a nonspecific acute brain failure with effects on psychopathology and behavior as a result of exogenous or endogenous factors. The widely accepted threshold concept of deliriogenesis postulates that the relationship between vulnerability and noxious agent plays the core role in development of delirium. If vulnerability is high, a minor noxious agent is sufficient to trigger delirium and vice versa. […] Numerous mechanisms have been hypothesized to contribute to the pathophysiology of delirium, including neurotransmitters, inflammation, electrolyte disorders, metabolic disturbances, physiologic stressors, and genetic factors. […] At the neurotransmitter level, the cholinergic system appears to play a central role in the pathogenesis of delirium, and anticholinergic drugs therefore increase the risk of incident delirium.

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

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

  Delirium is a sudden change in how a person thinks, making them feel confused or disoriented. […] Delirium causes sudden confusion and trouble thinking clearly. […] While researchers aren’t sure of the exact cause of delirium, it often happens when a person is already sick or recovering from a major illness or surgery. […] Scientists believe it may be linked to changes in brain chemistry, particularly a drop in acetylcholine, a chemical that helps with memory and attention. […] Delirium is particularly common among people over 80. […] Delirium is most common in hospitalized older adults, especially in the ICU. […] Treatment focuses on addressing the underlying cause and creating a safe, calming environment, with medication used in severe cases. […] If not prevented or treated, delirium is associated with several health complications and other negative outcomes. […] The complications of delirium may include cognitive decline, including dementia.

• #16

  https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10354-021-00904-z

  The dopaminergic system also plays an essential role; agonists at D1 and D2 receptors increase the risk of delirium. […] Another relevant transmitter is serotonin. […] Further neurotransmitters potentially involved in the pathogenesis of delirium include glutamate and gamma-amino-butyric acid (GABA). […] The pathogenetic role of endogenous hormones and neuromodulators is of increasing interest, offering new therapeutic options. […] In addition to neurotransmitters, inflammatory processes play a central role in the development of delirium. Disorders occurring outside the brain, such as inflammation, trauma, or surgery, can therefore also trigger delirium. […] Due to frequent polypharmacy in the elderly, medications play a major role as triggers: 12-39% of all delirium cases in the elderly may be classified as pharmacogenic.

• #17 Delirium: Practice Essentials, Background, Pathophysiology

  https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/793247-clinical

  Studies indicate psychosocial stress and sleep deprivation facilitate the onset of delirium. […] The specific neuronal pathways that cause delirium are unknown. Imaging studies of metabolic (eg, hepatic encephalopathy) and structural (eg, traumatic brain injury, stroke) factors support the hypothesis that certain anatomical pathways may play a more important role than others. […] Disrupted bloodbrain barrier can allow neurotoxic agents and inflammatory cytokines to enter the brain and may cause delirium.

• #18 Delirium

  https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9012267/

  Drug use and medication changes can precipitate delirium, sometimes by direct effects on brain neurotransmitter systems, such as acetylcholine (ACh), dopamine and GABA, whereas polypharmacy and impaired renal and hepatic function may lead to inappropriately high or prolonged blood drug concentrations and adverse drug interactions. […] Neurochemical influences on brain state are dependent on the neuroanatomical networks in which these neurotransmitters operate. […] Regardless of primary aetiology, it is hypothesized that impaired neuronal network connectivity may be the final driver of the delirium syndrome; that is, underlying predispositions and superimposed stressors might combine to cause a failure of functional connectivity in neural networks, leading to a profound failure of normal brain function.

• #19 Delirium – Wikipedia

  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Delirium

  Since the 1950s, delirium has been known to be associated with slowing of resting-state EEG rhythms, with abnormally decreased background alpha power and increased theta and delta frequency activity. […] A 2018 systematic review proposed a conceptual model that delirium results when insults/stressors trigger a breakdown of brain network dynamics in individuals with low brain resilience (i.e. people who already have underlying problems of low neural connectivity and/or low neuroplasticity like those with Alzheimer’s disease). […] Only a handful of studies exist where there has been an attempt to correlate delirium with pathological findings at autopsy.

• #20 Delirium in Older Persons: Evaluation and Management | AAFP

  https://www.aafp.org/pubs/afp/issues/2014/0801/p150.html

  Risks for delirium can be divided into predisposing and precipitating factors. […] Patients at high risk of delirium because of multiple or severe predisposing factors need minimal precipitators to provoke a delirium episode. Alternatively, a patient with few predisposing factors would require multiple or severe triggers to provoke delirium. […] Once delirium is diagnosed in an inpatient setting, it is important to identify and treat the underlying causes. […] Although narcotics carry a risk of provoking delirium, guidelines recommend addressing uncontrolled pain through a pain management plan that may include a narcotic regimen. […] Pharmacologic therapy should be reserved for patients who are a threat to their own safety or the safety of others. […] Haloperidol has been the agent of choice for treatment of delirium, despite a higher incidence of extrapyramidal adverse effects. […] A prolonged state of delirium is associated with poorer outcomes, including functional decline, dementia, and death.

• #21 Delirium: Types, Causes, and Treatment

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

  Delirium happens when stressors like inflammation or infection interfere with your brain function. There are many possible causes. […] Any condition or factor that significantly changes your brain function can cause severe mental confusion. These include: […] Medication side effects are a major cause of delirium. Up to 39% of the time, delirium is caused by medications. […] Delirium itself is not usually treated with medication. Rather, it is the underlying cause that is being treated. But if you have severe symptoms of hyperactive delirium that do not improve, antipsychotic medications may be considered.

• #22 2. Causes of Delirium | ATrain Education

  https://www.atrainceu.com/content/2-causes-delirium-0

  A wide variety of medications can trigger delirium, and can include everything from antibiotics, antidepressants, antipsychotics, lithium, to sedatives and many more. Studies have shown that taking three or more medications can be a risk factor, putting elders who often take more than one prescription at particular risk (Maneeton Maneeton, 2013). Other prescribed medications can cause delirium, especially in older patients. These can include anticholinergic agents, benzodiazepines, and opiates (Cavallazzi et al., 2012). […] Infections, especially widespread illness like sepsis, can cause delirium (Sonneville et al., 2013). In fact, infection is a leading cause of delirium in pediatric patients (Maneeton Maneeton, 2013). Other infections such as urinary tract infections, meningitis, encephalitis, and pneumonia can also make patients susceptible to delirium (Maneeton Maneeton, 2013; NIH, MedLine Plus, 2014a; Grover et al., 2009).

• #23 Confusion and Delirium | Cancer-related Side Effects | American Cancer Society

  https://www.cancer.org/cancer/managing-cancer/side-effects/changes-in-mood-or-thinking/confusion.html

  Some medicines used with cancer treatment, such as steroids and those used to prevent or treat nausea, allergies, loss of appetite, or sleep problems. […] Electrolyte level changes in the blood, such as high calcium, low blood sugar, low magnesium, low phosphorous, or low sodium. […] Infection or high fever. […] Severe pain. […] Not getting enough oxygen to the brain. […] Anemia. […] Problems with how some organs are working. […] Not getting enough fluid or healthy food. […] Not being active. […] Confusion and delirium also happen more often in people who: Are older. […] Are in the hospital. […] Have more advanced cancer. […] Have vision or hearing problems. […] Already have changes in their memory, thinking, or focus. […] Have dementia or Parkinsons disease or have had a stroke.

• #24 What is delirium? Symptoms, causes, diagnosis, and treatment

  https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/326684

  Causes of delirium can include: infections, such as pneumonia and urinary tract infections; imbalances in acetylcholine or dopamine levels; brain tumors; head trauma; kidney or liver failure; alcohol, medicine, or drug misuse; certain medications, such as blood pressure medications, sleeping pills, and sedatives; exposure to toxic substances; extreme sleep deprivation. […] People over the age of 70 years have a higher risk of delirium. […] Other factors that can increase a persons risk of delirium include: having surgery; experiencing intense pain; having a history of conditions that injure the brain, such as stroke and dementia; having anemia; being male; having a functional disability; having poor vision and hearing; having mild cognitive impairment; overusing alcohol; taking legal or illegal psychoactive drugs, such as opioids, antidepressants, or hypnotic sleep aids.

• #24 What is delirium? Symptoms, causes, diagnosis, and treatment

  https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/326684

  Delirium is a sudden change in a persons mental function. This can include their ways of thinking, behavior, or level of consciousness. […] Medical professionals do not yet fully understand delirium, but it seems to have an association with older age, alcohol withdrawal, and certain medical conditions. […] Delirium can occur as a result of aging, alcohol withdrawal, certain medications, and underlying medical conditions. […] According to the authors of a 2013 article, there is a link between delirium and adverse health outcomes, such as extended hospital stays, faster cognitive decline, and a higher likelihood of developing dementia. […] Medical professionals do not know the exact cause of delirium. However, inflammation of the brain, imbalances in neurotransmitters, and chronic stress may all play a role in the onset of symptoms.

• #25 2. Causes of Delirium | ATrain Education

  https://www.atrainceu.com/content/2-causes-delirium-0

  Delirium tremens is a form of delirium that occurs during withdrawal, most notably of alcohol, but also with some drugs, such as benzodiazepines, barbiturates, other sedatives, and hypnotics (NIH, MedLine Plus, 2015; Maneeton Maneeton, 2013). In fact, many of the causes for delirium mentioned previously are related to alcoholism and withdrawal.

• #26 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. […] Delirium can have different causes. We may need to do medical tests to help decide what treatment is needed. […] 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).

• #27 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. […] If not identified early and treated, post-operative delirium can lead to long-term health issues, including cognitive decline and functional decline. […] Symptoms can appear within hours to weeks after surgery. […] While we work to resolve the underlying issue, we also work with the patient’s family to provide general comfort and support such as encouraging proper eating, exercising, and sleeping. […] 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. […] UT Southwestern has recently implemented the Hospital Elder Life Program (HELP) program on our ACE unit to care for older patients with or at risk for delirium.

• #28 Delirium vs Dementia: 10 Things to Know for Aging Health

  https://betterhealthwhileaging.net/what-is-delirium-10-things-to-know/

  Delirium treatment requires a care team to take a three-pronged approach. Health providers must identify and reverse the illness or problems provoking the delirium. […] Delirium has been associated with accelerated cognitive decline and with developing dementia. A 2009 study found that in such persons, delirium during hospitalization is linked to a much faster cognitive decline in the following year. […] Experts estimate that delirium is preventable in about 40% of cases. Preventive strategies are meant to reduce stress and strain on an older person, and also try to minimize delirium triggers, such as uncontrolled pain or risky medications.

• #29 Delirium | health.vic.gov.au

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

  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 involves an interaction between the patients predisposing vulnerabilities, which puts them at greater risk when faced with precipitating factors. […] Reducing, ceasing or avoiding the use of psychoactive drugs is recommended as they may worsen the delirium. […] Pharmacological therapy should only be considered in severe cases of behavioural or emotional disturbance because there is no strong evidence they effectively improve prognosis.

• #30 Patients and Families Overview

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

  Delirium is common. About 2 out of 3 patients in ICUs get delirium. […] Experts think delirium is caused by a change in the way the brain is working. This can be caused by: […] Delirium was the number one predictive factor for cognitive impairment. […] Research shows that patients who develop delirium might have dementia-like thinking problems that can last for months.

• #31 Alzheimer’s Disease and Delirium: Guidance and Tips

  https://www.webmd.com/alzheimers/confusion-delirium

  Its when confusion gets worse suddenly and comes and goes over several hours or days. It happens when a new health problem puts too much stress on the brain, and it can be a sign of a serious illness. […] In older people who have dementia, delirium is usually caused by medications, anesthesia and drugs for pain after surgery, and medical conditions like infections or long-term diseases that get worse.

• #32 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 is often caused by changes in your health, such as a physical illness or infection. […] Delirium can develop quickly and lasts for a few days. […] Delirium is often caused by changes in your health, such as a physical illness or infection. […] Other causes for delirium include: difficulty going to the toilet (constipation or not being able to empty your bladder), dehydration or not eating enough food, severe pain, some over-the-counter medicines, drinking a lot of alcohol, withdrawal from alcohol, cigarettes or medicines especially sleeping pills, changes in your environment, such as being in hospital. […] 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.

• #33 Delirium (sudden confusion) – Dementia UK

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

  Delirium is a state of mental confusion that comes on suddenly. It can have a big impact on the way a person behaves and functions, especially if they have dementia. […] Dementia can make people more likely to experience delirium. People who are over 80 and live with dementia are at greater risk, particularly during a hospital stay, when up to 50% of people with dementia develop 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. […] If a person is experiencing delirium, their doctor should check for underlying causes, such as signs of infection like a high temperature. […] Often, delirium gets better if the underlying problem is treated. […] 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.

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