{"id":17877,"date":"2021-01-08T15:08:29","date_gmt":"2021-01-08T20:08:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=17877"},"modified":"2021-01-08T15:08:29","modified_gmt":"2021-01-08T20:08:29","slug":"delirium-vs-dementia","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/delirium-vs-dementia\/","title":{"rendered":"Delirium vs. dementia: Compare causes, symptoms, treatments & more"},"content":{"rendered":"

If you are caring for a loved one and start to notice a change in their mental status, such as a decline in memory or confusion, your first thought will probably be dementia. However, there could be another culprit: delirium. Sharing many of the same characteristics, these two conditions can be tricky to distinguish from one another. Let\u2019s discuss the differences between dementia and delirium.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Causes<\/span><\/h2>\n

Delirium<\/span><\/h3>\n

\u201cDelirium is a usually <\/span>reversible<\/span> alteration in mental status and\/or behavioral disturbance, usually sudden in onset (but not always),\u201d says Lili Barsky, MD, an LA-based hospitalist and urgent care physician. She explains the common causes of delirium: \u201cIt can occur in response to an infection, metabolic disturbance, intracranial structural changes, medication or toxin, sensory or sleep deprivation, surgery or hospitalization.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Certain medications can lead to this acute confusional state, including anticholinergic and antipsychotic medications. Medical history, examinations, and lab results all help to diagnose delirium.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Dementia<\/span><\/h3>\n

One difference between delirium and dementia is that dementia usually develops over time as it is progressive in nature and it is persistent or progressing. “Dementia may be caused by neurodegenerative diseases, toxins, vascular defects, infections, autoimmune or inflammatory diseases, neurometabolic diseases, trauma, neoplasia or other structural changes in the brain,\u201d Dr. Barksy explains.<\/span><\/p>\n

Dementia is typically seen in older adults. There are a variety of conditions that cause dementia as well. Some common conditions include Alzheimer’s disease, dementia with lewy bodies, and Parkinson\u2019s disease. Evidence indicates <\/span>significant cognitive impairment<\/span><\/a> in people with dementia.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Delirium vs. dementia causes<\/span><\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
Delirium<\/b><\/td>\nDementia<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n
    \n
  • Infection, such as urinary tract infection<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Metabolic disturbance<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Intracranial structural changes<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Medication or toxin<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Sensory or sleep deprivation<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Surgery or hospitalization<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Drug toxicity<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n
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