Author:

Abstract

Delirium is a medical emergency which is commonly encountered across the branches of medicine. Recent evidence highlight delirium associated increased mortality and long-term cognitive impairment. Early identification of delirium helps to find out the underlying cause of delirium and sometimes, treatment of underlying cause can be lifesaving. E.g., hypoglycaemia, hyponatremia. There are effective ways to prevent delirium and it can improve patients’ overall outcomes and save healthcare cost. Use of antipsychotics and benzo diazepam in the management of delirium can be counterintuitive. Therefore, the pharmacological management of delirium has to be planned with caution. Multi-component non-pharmacological management found to be effective and safe. Hence, making awareness and training on non-pharmacological management of delirium enable us to provide optimum care this patient population.

Keywords: delirium, old age, prevalence, management, prevention

How to Cite: Isuru, L.L.A., 2022. Putting delirium in the spotlight. Anuradhapura Medical Journal, 16(3), pp.01–04. DOI: http://doi.org/10.4038/amj.v16i3.7752