Who Is at Risk for Delirium?
Delirium happens most often in older people who have a serious illness. There's a greater risk if the person has dementia. But delirium can happen at any age.
Delirium is a sudden change in a person’s mental state and ability to think clearly. It happens most often in older people who have a serious illness. There's a greater risk if the person has dementia. But delirium can happen at any age. And it doesn't always happen in someone with a serious illness.
Delirium is seen as an emergency. It needs to be looked at by a healthcare provider right away.
What raises a person’s risk?
Delirium can happen while a person is being treated for an illness or other serious health condition. It can also happen after surgery. The person may be in a hospital or nursing home. Or they may be at home. Delirium often goes unrecognized in older adults.
A person is at risk for delirium if they have 1 or more of these:
Current dementia or cognitive impairment
A past episode of delirium
Depression
Are age 75 or older
Any serious illness, such as cancer, heart attack, or metabolism problem such as those linked to kidney or liver failure
Been admitted to intensive care in a hospital
Physical restraints
Been using or are withdrawing from drugs or alcohol
Past or current brain injury or disease
A bladder catheter
An infection
Broken bones, especially those that need surgery
Sleep problems because of light, noise, or other disruptions
Constant or severe pain that isn't well-managed
Fluid loss (dehydration)
Poor nutrition
Poor eyesight or hearing
Several tests or treatments in a short time
Not able to move or have pain with movement
Recent surgery with anesthesia
Medicines that raise the risk of delirium
Certain medicines can raise a person’s risk of having delirium. They include:
Prescription medicines. This includes sedatives, narcotics, antispasmodics, antibiotics, muscle relaxants, steroids, high blood pressure medicine, antacids, antidepressants, heart medicines, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen, and pain medicines, especially opiates.
Over-the-counter medicines. This includes allergy medicine, cough medicine, sleeping pills, and antinausea medicine. Diphenhydramine, found in many allergy and sleeping pills, is a very common cause.
Some herbal medicines
Psychoactive medicines
If you know someone at risk
Delirium is an emergency. If you think that your loved one has delirium, call 911 right away.