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Suggest Remedy For Delirium Post Surgery
Question: my 63 year old brother just had major surgery. he had a tumor in his lower intestine removed, a foot of his colon removed and a tumor on his stomach removed. he is at home alone a week now,he is hallucinating . he sees at least three people in his home. He is on drugs including oxycontin 40 mg,simvastatin, ativan, lisinopril,oxygen 3,clopidogrel , he is unable to eat much, and is tsking water as his only liquid
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Brief Answer:
Likely to have developed Delirium.
Detailed Answer:
Hello and thanks for writing in.
I understand that you must be quite worried about your brother's recent problems. From the description of his symptoms, it appears that he has developed a medical condition called Delirium. Delirium is an acute confusional state where the person can have confusion, disorientation, hallucinations, etc.
This occurs commonly in older people and can often occur after a major surgery. Other factors like infections, taking multiple medications simultaneously and salt imbalances are also notorious causes.
So, in your brother's case, the recent major surgery, older age and multiple medication are significant risk factors. Also, since you have mentioned that he is not eating properly, he could possibly be having salt / electrolyte imbalances, dehydratio, hypoglycemia, etc. which could be precipitating factors. A post-operative infection should also be ruled out.
In such a situation, treatment will first involve having a detailed evaluation in orderto find out what the underlying cause for the Delirium. If the cause is identified correctly and treated, then his symptoms will resolve automatically.
So, I would advise you to take him to the emergency services as early as possible so that further management can be initiated quickly.
Regards,
Dr. Jonad Sundarakumar MBBS, DPM, MRCPsych(UK)
Consultant Psychiatrist
Likely to have developed Delirium.
Detailed Answer:
Hello and thanks for writing in.
I understand that you must be quite worried about your brother's recent problems. From the description of his symptoms, it appears that he has developed a medical condition called Delirium. Delirium is an acute confusional state where the person can have confusion, disorientation, hallucinations, etc.
This occurs commonly in older people and can often occur after a major surgery. Other factors like infections, taking multiple medications simultaneously and salt imbalances are also notorious causes.
So, in your brother's case, the recent major surgery, older age and multiple medication are significant risk factors. Also, since you have mentioned that he is not eating properly, he could possibly be having salt / electrolyte imbalances, dehydratio, hypoglycemia, etc. which could be precipitating factors. A post-operative infection should also be ruled out.
In such a situation, treatment will first involve having a detailed evaluation in orderto find out what the underlying cause for the Delirium. If the cause is identified correctly and treated, then his symptoms will resolve automatically.
So, I would advise you to take him to the emergency services as early as possible so that further management can be initiated quickly.
Regards,
Dr. Jonad Sundarakumar MBBS, DPM, MRCPsych(UK)
Consultant Psychiatrist
Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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