Hospital delirium is common and often goes unrecognized, reports Harvard Women’s Health Watch
Delirium — sudden and severe confusion — is a common complication of hospitalization among people ages 65 and over. As many as 20% of those admitted to hospitals, 60% of those who have certain surgeries, and 70% or more of those treated in ICUs develop delirium, reports the Harvard Women’s Health Watch in its May 2011 issue.
Anything that disrupts normal brain function can cause delirium, including inflammation, infection, and substances that interfere with brain chemicals (neurotransmitters) that communicate between nerve cells. One major pathway involves the neurotransmitter acetylcholine: if blood sugar levels fall too low or the brain doesn’t receive enough oxygen, acetylcholine levels can plunge. Also, many medications can trigger delirium, including narcotic painkillers, sedatives, sleeping pills, and certain drugs used to treat high blood pressure, incontinence, and allergy.
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