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What is Delirium?

What is Delirium?

Delirium is a medical condition that causes a sudden change in the person’s behaviour, thinking, ability to function and understanding. It is usually caused by an illness, and is most common in older people, people living with dementia, patients in intensive care units and people with severe COVID-19.

If delirium is not treated, the person is at risk of falls, hospital admission and sometimes death.​

Causes of Delirium

​There are many causes of delirium, but the following are the most common ones:

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  • Infection 

  • Recent Surgery 

  • Dehydration 

  • Being admitted to hospital

  • Extreme grief or stress

  • Illness 

  • Constipation 

  • Pain

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Early Symptoms

If delirium is identified, the cause can be treated and the delirium will get better. Here are the early signs of delirium; a person might show one or several of these symptoms at the same time. Click on the links for more information

A woman stands in a kitchen pouring a cup of tea from a teapot.

How is it treated?

Most delirium will get better when the cause has been treated. So it is really important to tell your doctor if your person is showing signs of delirium. While the person has delirium, they will need a lot of support and supervision (see How to help leaflet).    

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