Physical Illness and Delirium

Delirium triggers :

- LRTI / UTI, any major infection

- Dehydration

- Hyper / Hypothermia  

- Constipation

- Food poisoning

- Diabetes

- Vitamin B12 deficiency, leading to anaemia

- Fractures

Drug reactions

Almost any drug can cause the effects described. The metabolic rate slows as people get older, so that drugs can accumulate in an  elderly person's body, causing toxicity.  Elderly people should usually be given lower doses of drugs.  Harmful drug interactions can be avoided by restricting the numbers of drugs given at any one time and starting with smaller doses.

Some drugs are particularly prone to psychological side effects including :

- Anti-Parkinsons drugs

- Antihypertensives

- Digoxin 

- Diuretics 

- Some painkilling drugs

- Long acting benzodiazepines can increase confusion

- Some anti-depressants especially given over a long period at a

high dose