Confusion and delirium: Difference between revisions
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===Clinical and Associated Features=== | ===Clinical and Associated Features=== | ||
* Impaired cognitive function | |||
====Dementia==== | * [[Hallucination]] | ||
* Thought disturbances | |||
* [[Aggression]] | |||
* Agitation | |||
* Retardation | |||
* Sleep disturbance | |||
* Mood disturbance | |||
====Dementia rears its ugly head==== | |||
It's important to know the difference between [[dementia]] and [[delirium]]: | |||
Dementia | |||
* Chronic onset and progressive | * Chronic onset and progressive | ||
* Usually primary | * Usually primary | ||
* Relatively constant state | * Relatively constant state | ||
Delirium | |||
* Acute Onset | * Acute Onset | ||
* Secondary | * Secondary to something else. | ||
* Sleep disturbance | * Sleep disturbance | ||
* Fluctuates rapidly | * Fluctuates rapidly | ||
* Related to consciousness. | |||
===Differential Diagnosis=== | ===Differential Diagnosis=== | ||
===Investigations=== | ===Investigations=== | ||
===Management=== | ===Management=== | ||
Revision as of 17:01, 2 December 2009
Definition
Confusion is a loss of orientation (not knowing where, when, who and what you are), often combined with a loss of memory. Delirium is a short term state of confusion, accompanied with altered consciousness.
Epidemiology
Very common, especially in the elderly, or very ill.
Pathophysiology
As far as we can ascertain:
- If your body is a bit messed up, ie. electrolyte imbalances etc, you get confused.
- If your brain isn't working properly, ie. alzheimer's disease, etc, you get confused.
- If your brain is getting squashed, ie. massive brain tumour, etc, you get confused.
Clinical and Associated Features
- Impaired cognitive function
- Hallucination
- Thought disturbances
- Aggression
- Agitation
- Retardation
- Sleep disturbance
- Mood disturbance
Dementia rears its ugly head
It's important to know the difference between dementia and delirium: Dementia
- Chronic onset and progressive
- Usually primary
- Relatively constant state
Delirium
- Acute Onset
- Secondary to something else.
- Sleep disturbance
- Fluctuates rapidly
- Related to consciousness.