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What Are The Symptoms Of Delerium?
My mom seems to be experiencing signs of Delerium. She does good for about 3 months then she has to be hospitalized for 2-4 days. The diagnosis is always fever, UTI, Blood pressure. She seems to snap back after about 12 hours at the hospital. When she is hospitalized it s because she doesn t say much, she s confused, she can t tell you the year or who the President is. She can t hold a conversation. What steps should the family take to try and get control of this? Is it treatable?
Mon, 24 Nov 2014
Hello,
thank you for using health care magic.
Delirium symptoms typically vary through the day, with periods of relative calmness alternating with periods of florid delirium.
The hallmark of delirium is a fluctuating level of consciousness. Typically, a delirious person may be more consciousness impaired in the evening and at night.
Symptoms of delirium include:
1. Confusion
2. Hallucinations (perceived sensory experience with the lack of an external source) or distortions of reality .
3. Memory deficits, especially where recent events are concerned.
4. Agitation.
5. Sleep disturbances.
Other symptoms include unsteady gait, tremor, asterixis (an abnormal tremor consisting of involuntary jerking movements, especially in the hands), myoclonus (muscle Twitching), paratonia (involuntary resistance to passive movement) of the limbs and especially of the neck, difficulty in reading and writing and visuoconstruction problems, such as copying designs and finding words.
Treatment of delirium begins with recognizing and treating the underlying cause. Delirium can be managed by reducing disturbing stimuli, or providing soothing ways like use of simple, clear language in communication and reassurance, especially from family members. Physical restraints may be needed if the patient is a danger to himself or others, or if he insists on removing necessary medical equipment such as intravenous lines or monitors. Sedatives or antipsychotic drugs may be used to reduce anxiety, hallucinations, and delusions.
thank you for using health care magic.
Delirium symptoms typically vary through the day, with periods of relative calmness alternating with periods of florid delirium.
The hallmark of delirium is a fluctuating level of consciousness. Typically, a delirious person may be more consciousness impaired in the evening and at night.
Symptoms of delirium include:
1. Confusion
2. Hallucinations (perceived sensory experience with the lack of an external source) or distortions of reality .
3. Memory deficits, especially where recent events are concerned.
4. Agitation.
5. Sleep disturbances.
Other symptoms include unsteady gait, tremor, asterixis (an abnormal tremor consisting of involuntary jerking movements, especially in the hands), myoclonus (muscle Twitching), paratonia (involuntary resistance to passive movement) of the limbs and especially of the neck, difficulty in reading and writing and visuoconstruction problems, such as copying designs and finding words.
Treatment of delirium begins with recognizing and treating the underlying cause. Delirium can be managed by reducing disturbing stimuli, or providing soothing ways like use of simple, clear language in communication and reassurance, especially from family members. Physical restraints may be needed if the patient is a danger to himself or others, or if he insists on removing necessary medical equipment such as intravenous lines or monitors. Sedatives or antipsychotic drugs may be used to reduce anxiety, hallucinations, and delusions.
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