Delirium

A delirium can have many causes. The most common ones include:[1]

• Injuries to the head or the nervous system
• Mental illness
• Trauma or shock
• Fever or pain
• Certain substances found in drugs or poisons
• Problems with metabolism. If a substance is transformed into another using an enzyme, a problem with that enzyme will lead to too much of the first, and too little of the second substance.
• Not having enough water, or food, or sleep
• Withdrawal symptoms (when people try to get away from a drugs or alcohol addiction). The delirium associated with alcohol withdrawal is called delirium tremens.

There are several definitions of what constitutes a delirium, but in general, the following is true:

• Disturbance of consciousness; problems to focus, shift the focus, concentrate, or shift concentration from one item to another.[2]
• hallucinations; reduced ability to solve problems.[2]
• Sleeping problems are common, very often the circadian rhythm is lost.[2]
• Problems with thinking; problems remembering things.[3]

Deliria are often treated with special drugs, called antipsychotics. Benzodiazepines are the most commonly used medications for alcohol withdrawal and DTs.[4] They help calm excited nervous system. Treatment also need intravenous fluids with vitamins and minerals to treat dehydration or bring your electrolytes back into balance.

Deliria are always a medical emergency, because it is impossible to predict how they develop. Worst-case scenarios include cardiac arrest, and malfunctions of the metabolism. In order to be able to treat a delirium, its cause must usually be found. In the case of alcoholism, the most common cause for a delirium is the withdrawal of alcohol.[5] This condition is known as Delirium tremens.