Delirium

By Kelvin Nicholson and Caleb Gorman

A sudden severe confusion and rapid changes in brain functions that occur with physical or mental illness.

Definition

Alcohol and sedative drug withdraw

Drug abuse Infections Poisons surgery

Causes

Changes in alertness Changes in feelings Changes in movement

Symptoms

Ammonia levels in the blood Mental status test Chest x-ray

How it’s diagnosed

Avoid sedatives, staying still, bladder catheters, reality orientation programs.

Prevention

Take anti-depressants Sedatives Hearing aids glasses

Treatment

Al-Anon Family Group Headquarters 1600 corporate landing parkway Virginia beach VA 23454-5617 Phone:757-563-1600

Local Doctors

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/pmh0001749/

.003%(3.166) of hospital consultant episodes were for delirium not induced by alcohol and other psychoactive drugs in England

50% of older persons may develop delirium in hospital 40-50% of older persons develop delirium after hip

surgery 70% of persons 65+ admitted to intensive care

Sources/four statistics