Delirium

Alternate Names : Acute Confusion, Acute Delirium

What are the treatments for the condition?

Treatment depends on the cause of the delirium. Symptoms can usually be reversed once the actual cause is named and treated. This is particularly true if the cause is low blood sugar or hypoglycemia. People with delirium are most comfortable in an environment that is:

Restraints may be necessary if the person is highly agitated. Sometimes the agitation must also be treated with medicine. In this case, the smallest dose of medicine is used because the drugs themselves may worsen the confusion at the same time that they calm the agitation. Medicines are stopped as soon as possible so recovery from delirium can be assessed.

What are the side effects of the treatments?

Some psychoactive medicines can actually cause confusion, which is a symptom of delirium. Usually, few major side effects appear from treatment after the cause of delirium is identified.

What happens after treatment for the condition?

Recovery from delirium can be slow. The rate of recovery can depend on the cause. Elderly people often recover at a slower rate.

How is the condition monitored?

The individual is monitored through blood chemistry studies and through physical exams. The specific monitoring will differ based on the cause of the delirium.