Delirium - Research Article from World of Health

Lauren Oliver
This encyclopedia article consists of approximately 3 pages of information about Delirium.

Delirium - Research Article from World of Health

Lauren Oliver
This encyclopedia article consists of approximately 3 pages of information about Delirium.
This section contains 649 words
(approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page)
Buy the Delirium Encyclopedia Article

Delirium is a state of mental confusion which develops quickly and usually fluctuates in intensity. Rather than being a specific disease, delirium is a syndrome, or group of symptoms, caused by a disturbance in the normal functioning of the brain. The delirious patient has a reduced awareness of and responsiveness to the environment, which may be manifested as disorientation, incoherence, and memory disturbance. Delirium is often marked by hallucinations, delusions, and a dream-like state.

Delirium affects at least one in ten hospitalized patients, and is a common part of many terminal illnesses. Delirium is more common in the elderly than in the general population. While it is not a specific disease itself, patients with delirium usually fare worse than those with the same illness who do not have delirium.

There are a large number of possible causes of delirium. Metabolic disorders are the single most common cause, accounting...

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This section contains 649 words
(approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page)
Buy the Delirium Encyclopedia Article
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Delirium from Gale. ©2005-2006 Thomson Gale, a part of the Thomson Corporation. All rights reserved.