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acute confusional state delirium Physiotherapy Psychiatry

Causes of Acute Confusional State (Delirium)

In this article, we will discuss various Causes of Acute Confusional State (Delirium).

In this article, we will discuss various Causes of Acute Confusional State (Delirium). So, let’s get started.

Causes

CNS disorders

A. Vascular: Cerebral, Subarachnoid, Subdural hemorrhage or Hypertensive encephalopathy

B. Infections: Meningitis, encephalitis, typhoid or malarial encephalopathy.

C. Nutritional/Vitamin deficiency: Thiamine (Wrenickle-Korsakoff syndrome), vitamin B12.

D. Head Injury/trauma

E. Epilepsy (postictal)

F. Degenerative: Multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer’s disease, Neoplastic disorders.

Metabolic

  • Hepatic or renal failure
  • Postoperative state
  • Porphyria
  • Fluid and electrolyte disturbance

Endocrinal

  • Hypo or hyperglycemia
  • Hypo or hyperthyroidism
  • Hypopituitarism
  • Adrenal crisis (Addison’s disease)

Cardiopulmonary

  • Myocardial infarction
  • Cardiac arrhythmia
  • Congestive heart failure
  • Respiratory failure (hypoxia, hypercapnia)
  • Shock

Systemic illness

  • Substance intoxication or withdrawal
  • Systemic infection
  • Heat injury (hypo or hyperthermia)

Drugs and toxins

  • Drugs of use having anticholinergic properties, narcotics, and benzodiazepines.
  • Drugs of abuse, e.g. alcohol intoxication and alcohol withdrawal, opiates, ecstasy, LSD, cocaine, marijuana, etc.
  • Poisons, e.g. inhalants, CO (carbon monoxide), ethylene glycol, pesticides

 

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