Delirium medical therapy: Difference between revisions
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==Overview== | ==Overview== | ||
==Treatment of Delirium== | |||
Delirium is not a disease, but a syndrome (i.e. collection of symptoms) indicating dysfunction of the brain, in the same way shortness of breath describes dysfunction of the respiratory system, but does not identify the disorder. Treatment of delirium is achieved by treating the underlying dysfunction cause, or in many cases, the cause'''s''' (plural), as delirium is often multi-factorial. | |||
Antipsychotics are the treatment of choice for distressing symptoms although ones with minimal [[anticholinergic]] activity, such as [[haloperidol]] or [[risperidone]] are preferable. Benzodiazepines are usually used in alcohol withdrawal.<br> | |||
* Treatment of underlying etiology important, as delirium can be reversible if diagnosed and treated correctly | |||
* Surrounding environment supports to help with orientation | |||
* Psychosocial support | |||
* Safety of environment | |||
== Pharmacotherapy == | |||
=== Acute Pharmacotherapies === | |||
* [[Antipsychotics]] | |||
* [[Benzodiazepine]]s | |||
==References== | ==References== |
Revision as of 04:35, 12 February 2014
Delirium Microchapters |
Diagnosis |
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Treatment |
Delirium On the Web |
American Roentgen Ray Society Images of Delirium |
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Vishal Khurana, M.B.B.S., M.D. [2]
Overview
Treatment of Delirium
Delirium is not a disease, but a syndrome (i.e. collection of symptoms) indicating dysfunction of the brain, in the same way shortness of breath describes dysfunction of the respiratory system, but does not identify the disorder. Treatment of delirium is achieved by treating the underlying dysfunction cause, or in many cases, the causes (plural), as delirium is often multi-factorial.
Antipsychotics are the treatment of choice for distressing symptoms although ones with minimal anticholinergic activity, such as haloperidol or risperidone are preferable. Benzodiazepines are usually used in alcohol withdrawal.
- Treatment of underlying etiology important, as delirium can be reversible if diagnosed and treated correctly
- Surrounding environment supports to help with orientation
- Psychosocial support
- Safety of environment