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