Can Delirium Cause Dementia In An Elderly Person?

Posted on Tue, 24 May 2016

Question: My elderly father has moved from his home into mine after a fall. Is now suffering delirium. Before he moved, his mind was clear. Can dementia come on this quickly.

Answered by Dr. Ajay Panwar (32 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Acute onset is more likely to be Delirium/Please tell a few details.

Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX,
Thanks for being on healthcaremagic.com.
I am Dr.Ajay Panwar,a neurologist,here to answer your query.

Broadly speaking,Delirium rather than dementia is the cause of altered mentation, when the clinical history is of such a short duration.

However,please tell me a few more details so that I can answer this well-
1)In how much time, has it all developed?
2)Did he get a head injury due to fall?-This is very relevant because sometimes in old age, subdural hematoma after a fall,may present with dementia like symptoms which may develop rapidly.
3)What are his symptoms?Does he recognize others?Awareness of the surroundings?-Please tell some details of the symptoms.

I shall be glad to have you in follow-up with details so that I can answer this well further.

Regards
Dr.Ajay Panwar,
MD,DM(Neurology)

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Ajay Panwar (5 minutes later)

It started about three weeks ago. He recognizes everyone. Is aware of where he is, what day it is, etc. He sometimes thinks he is back in the army, or still working. If I ask him a question about something today, he can answer me. He did not hit his head when he fell. He was hallucinating at night, but that seems to have stopped.

Can depression cause this? Or the Cipro?

Waiting for an answer.

Answered by Dr. Ajay Panwar (15 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Apparently,it is delirium.

Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX,
Thanks for being in follow-up and providing further details.

Considering your clinical details,this is likely to be delirium.

He should be admitted in a neurology facility and evaluated for the cause of delirium.
Preliminary investigations including serum electrolytes,Kidney function tests,Liver function tests,blood sugar must be done.

A brain imaging,either CT scan of head or preferably MRI of brain should be done.

Hope that helps.If you have any further questions,I shall be glad to have you in follow-up.

Regards
Dr.Ajay Panwar,
MD,DM(Neurology)

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Ajay Panwar (5 hours later)

Could it be a reaction to the Cipro or depression?

Answered by Dr. Ajay Panwar (3 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Depression can be the cause.

Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX,
Thanks for being in follow-up.

Yes,Depression can be the cause.

But,the causes of delirium as mentioned above need to be ruled out.So, he must be admitted to a neurology facility and evaluated whether it is some organic disturbance or depression is the cause.

Hope that I have answered your query.If you have some further questions,I shall be glad to answer else please close the thread,rate it and write a review.

Regards
Dr.Ajay Panwar,
MD,DM(Neurology)

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Ajay Panwar (7 minutes later)

How about the Cipro.

Answered by Dr. Ajay Panwar (50 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Not likely.

Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX,
Thanks for being in follow-up.

Cipro is not likely to be the culprit.This is not a usual clinical scenario with cipro.

Regards
Dr.Ajay Panwar,
MD,DM(Neurology)

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Naveen Kumar

Follow up: Dr. Ajay Panwar (35 minutes later)

What are side effects of Cipro

Answered by Dr. Ajay Panwar (15 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Gastritis/Diarrhea

Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX,
Thanks for being in follow-up.

Common side effects may be gastritis and diarrhea.

Although,there is a long list of side effects,however they are not usually observed in clinical practice.

Confusion,behaviour changes have also been mentioned as rare side effects.But,as it says,they are extremely rare.

Cipro can't be the cause,unless we rule out other important things.

If you have any further questions,I shall be glad to answer them.

Regards
Dr.Ajay Panwar,
MD,DM(Neurology)

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Sonia Raina