Welcome to Tiny Talk number 9,
About dementia,
MCI and cognitive challenges.
Today I will talk about delirium.
Delirium is often confused for dementia,
And can be seen as a type of dementia.
However,
The onset is much faster,
Within days if not hours.
And the good news is,
When the cause of the delirium is treated well,
Potentially all symptoms of the delirium are reversible.
Multiple causes can underlie delirium,
For example alcohol use,
Certain diseases and medication,
And poor lifestyle choices that lead to malnutrition,
Dehydration and sleep deprivation.
Deliriums occur more frequently in people who have dementia.
This is partly related to poor self-care.
It is important to keep an eye on potential symptoms when you know a person has or when you suspect dementia.
A delirium needs a prompt response,
In the hope of reversing the sudden changes in cognition.
Symptoms may include reduced awareness of the environment,
For example an inability to stay on topic,
Getting stuck on an idea instead of following the conversation,
Being easily distracted or being withdrawn,
Cognitive impairment,
Such as memory problems especially for recent events,
Disorientation and problems with speech,
Reading and writing.
Changes in behaviour include perceiving things that you do not,
In the form of hallucinations and delusions,
Restlessness,
Agitation and aggression,
Or the opposite of those,
Being quiet and withdrawn,
And sleep disturbances or a reversal of sleep-wake cycle.
Behaviour should be new to point to the onset of delirium.
And lastly emotional disturbances,
Like anxiety,
Fear or paranoia,
Depression,
Irritability or anger,
Euphoria,
Apathy.
Fluctuations may follow each other rapidly,
And you may notice changes in personality as well.
As you see,
Some of these symptoms sound contrary.
There is a hyperactive form of delirium,
Which is marked by restlessness,
Agitation and hallucinations.
And then there is hypoactive delirium,
Where a person slows down,
Looks like they are in a daze,
Sluggish,
Drowsy,
Withdrawn.
And the third option is a mixed delirium,
That alternates between the hyperactive and hypoactive stages.
Changes between those two stages may be rapid.
If you recognize these symptoms combined with the sudden onset,
It is important to consult with a doctor ASAP,
Bringing the person along.
The better you are able to describe the symptoms,
The onset,
And health behaviours before the onset,
The higher the chance a doctor can diagnose delirium and the cause.
With appropriate treatment,
The symptoms are reversible.
