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Delirium
Make it clearer
Delirium is an acute change, one that comes on over a short time, in the way the mind works. It disrupts attention, which is being able to focus on something and stay focused; awareness, which is noticing what is going on around you; and cognition, which is thinking and remembering. It also fluctuates, meaning it rises and falls in intensity, and it is usually transient, so it passes, although it can persist in people with predisposing factors, underlying vulnerabilities.
It appears when a vulnerable brain faces physiological stressors, heavy demands on the body. Today it is described as acute brain failure: the networks of neurons stop working in a coordinated way. Think of an orchestra that suddenly stops playing in sync.
Two kinds of factors come into play. Predisposing factors, such as advanced age or dementia, reduce cognitive reserve, the margin the brain has to cope. And triggers, such as surgery, an infection or certain medications, can precipitate it.
In brief
Delirium is an acute disturbance of attention, awareness and cognition that fluctuates in severity and is usually transient, although it can persist in people with predisposing factors.
It arises when a vulnerable brain is exposed to physiological stressors: it is described as acute brain failure, with a breakdown in the coordinated activity of neural networks.
An orchestra that suddenly stops playing in sync.
Predisposing factors such as advanced age or dementia reduce cognitive reserve; triggers such as surgery, an infection or certain medications can precipitate it.
Sources (1)
- National Center for Biotechnology Information, StatPearls PublishingDelirium, StatPearlsPublished
This page explains the topic in general terms; it does not tell anyone what treatment to follow.
Updated