Delirium

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Reversible Causes of Mental Impairment

  Dementia Delirium Either or Both
Therapeutic Drug Intoxication     Yes
Depression Yes    
Metabolic
     Azotemia or renal failure (dehydration, diuretics, urinary obstruction, hypokalemia     Yes
     Hyponatremia (diuretics, excess antidiuretic hormone, salt wasting, IV fluids     Yes
     Hypernatremia (dehydration, intravenous saline)   Yes  
     Volume depletion (diuretics, bleeding, inadequate fluids, heat related)     Yes
     Acid base disturbances   Yes  
     Hypoglycemia (insulin, oral hypoglycemics,   starvation)     Yes
     Hyperglycemia (diabetic ketoacidosis, hyperosmolar coma)   Yes  
     Hepatic failure     Yes
     Hypothyroidism    
Yes
     Hyperthyroidism (especially apathetic)     Yes
     Hypercalcemia     Yes
     Cushing's Syndrome Yes    
     Hypopituitarism     Yes
  Dementia Delirium Either or Both
Infection, Fever, or Both      
     Viral     Yes
    Bacterial      
          Pneumonia   Yes  
          Pyelonephritis   Yes  
          Cholecystitis   Yes  
          Diverticulitis   Yes  
          Tuberculosis     Yes
          Endocarditis     Yes
Cardiovascular      
     Acute myocardial infarction   Yes  
     Congestive heart failure     Yes
     Arrhythmia     Yes
     Vascular occlusion     Yes
     Pulmonary embolism   Yes  
  Dementia Delirium Either or Both
Brain Disorders      
     Vascular Insufficiency      
          TIA   Yes  
          CVA     Yes
     Trauma      
          Subdural hematoma     Yes
          Concussion/confusion   Yes  
          Intracerebral hemorrhage   Yes  
          Epidural hematoma   Yes  
    Infection      
          Acute meningitis (bacterial or viral)   Yes  
          Chronic meningitis (tuberculous, fungal)     Yes
          Neurosyphilis     Yes
          Subdural empyema     Yes
          Brain Abscess     Yes
    Tumors      
          Brain metastases     Yes
          Primary brain tumor     Yes
     Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus Yes    
Pain      
     Fecal Impaction     Yes
     Urinary Retention   Yes  
     Fracture   Yes  
     Surgical Abdomen   Yes  
  Dementia Delirium Either or Both
Sensory Deprivation States: blind, deaf     Yes
Hospitalization      
     Anesthesia or surgery     Yes
     Environmental change and isolation     Yes
     Intensive Care Unit   Yes  
Alcohol Toxic Reactions      
     Lifelong alcoholism Yes    
     Alcoholism new in old age     Yes
     Decreased tolerance with age causing increasing intoxication     Yes
     Acute hallucinosis   Yes  
     Delirium tremens   Yes  
Tumor- systemic effects of nonmetastatic malignant neoplasm     Yes
Chronic Lung Disease with hypoxia or hypercarbia     Yes
Deficiencies of Nutrients: B12, folic acid, niacin Yes    
Accidental Hypothermia   Yes  
Chemical Intoxications      
     Heavy metals: arsenic, lead, mercury     Yes
     Consciousness altering agents     Yes
     Carbon monoxide     Yes
Vasculitis      
     Temporal arteritis Yes    
 

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