Delirium facts for kids

Delirium is a medical term. It's also known as an acute confusional state. Doctors use this word to describe when someone suddenly has trouble focusing, concentrating, or remembering things. It's like their brain gets a bit mixed up. Delirium is a symptom, which means it's a sign of another problem, not a disease itself.

What Causes Delirium?

Delirium can happen for many different reasons. Here are some common causes:

• Head injuries or problems with the nervous system (your brain and nerves).
• Some mental health conditions.
• Serious injuries or a state of shock (when the body isn't getting enough blood flow).
• Having a high fever or a lot of pain.
• Certain drugs or harmful substances.
• Problems with your metabolism, which is how your body turns food into energy.
• Not getting enough water, food, or sleep.
• When someone stops taking certain medicines or substances they have been using for a long time, their body can react strongly.

How Do Doctors Define Delirium?

While there are different ways to describe delirium, these are generally true:

• Trouble paying attention or focusing on things. It can be hard to switch focus from one thing to another.
• hallucinations, which means seeing or hearing things that aren't really there.
• Finding it hard to solve problems or think clearly.
• Difficulty sleeping, or having a mixed-up sleep schedule. For example, being awake all night and sleepy all day.
• Problems with thinking clearly or remembering things.

How Is Delirium Treated?

Doctors might use special drugs, sometimes called antipsychotics, to help with delirium.

Delirium is always a serious medical situation. It's important to find out what's causing it so doctors can treat it properly and quickly.