Learn About The Many Differences Between Delirium And Dementia

Age brings with it a host of health problems- delirium and dementia being the most common among them. Both these are the most common causes of cognitive impairment, although affective disorders like depression can also disrupt cognition. Both these conditions require just as much care as physical conditions, such as high blood pressure and heart disease. Dementia and delirium are separate disorders, but people tend to confuse the two due to some similar symptoms they both share.

Delirium basically affects attention, whereas dementia affects mainly memory. It is an acute illness or drug toxicity that leads to delirium, whereas Alzheimer’s disease or dementia is caused by anatomic changes in the brain and has slower onset. The former is often reversible, whereas dementia is generally irreversible. Delirium often develops in patients dealing with dementia. People often mistake delirium for dementia in senior adults, which must completely be avoided. A thorough history and physical examination is the best way to establish the cause of cognitive impairment.

As already mentioned delirium is easily overlooked in patients with dementia, which can largely be attributed to many of the symptoms that are the same even though the conditions are different.

Here’s how you can distinguish between delirium and dementia in seniors:

Delirium:

Symptoms– Mood changes (anger, anxiety, aggression, suspicion), sleep changes, changes in speech, visual hallucinations, confusion and disorientation, physical changes like incontinence, chills, fever, or pain.

Causes– Delirium is a common condition in older adults, which can result from infection (like UTIs), drug interaction or sensitivity, kidney failure, dehydration, liver failure, brain tumors or other head trauma, and other physical problems. Add to that, the illness is common following a surgery since it is one of the initial few signs that a person is experiencing a life-threatening emergency, like a stroke or heart attack- it is important to seek emergency care right away.

Treatment– Treatment starts with the doctor figuring out the cause of the issue first. Treatment depends on what is causing the episode since the causes vary a lot from case to case. For example, if the cause is a heart attack or stroke, doctors will treat the underlying condition as quickly as possible. On the other hand, if delirium is caused due to drug or medication, doctors will work towards fixing that to bring your loved one back in the pink of health.

Dementia:

Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia (around 60-80 percent of cases). The way dementia manifests itself varies from person to person because it can affect different parts of the brain. It is a progressive illness with symptoms worsening over time.

Symptoms– Memory loss, changes in mood, changes in the ability to solve problems, difficulty performing daily activities (day to days tasks like shopping, cooking, maintaining proper hygiene, etc.), changes in personality, and increasing difficulty with focusing or concentrating.

Causes– Dementia generally is the result of a degree of brain damage. The condition is usually associated with the dysfunction and death of neurons- nerve cells in the brain.

Treatment- It’s true dementia has no cure, however, there are medications (behavioural medications like mood stabilizers, antidepressants, etc.) that help slow down and lessen symptoms. Then there are assisted living Anthem services that can help those with dementia manage triggers and creates a supportive environment. Adequate hydration and sleep can improve a person’s quality of life. Plus, enjoyable social activities and proper stimulation can work wonders for someone with dementia.