Difference between delirium and dementia

Posted By: Sm Adminon: November 06, 2015In: Miscellaneous

Delirium:
Delirium is a medical condition in which the patient has the problems to concentrate or remember things. It is not a disease. It is also called acute confusional state. Delirium is caused by medical problems, surgery and medications. It appears quickly and recovers soon.
Dementia:
Dementia is the brain disease which affects the way of the people think. It changes the personality of the one who suffers. The person loses the skill and knowledge he had learned. Dementia is of two types: reversible and irreversible. It is prolonged and takes time to recover.
Differences:

Basis	Delirium	Dementia
Definition (www.oxforddictionaries.com)	An acutely disturbed state of mind characterized by restlessness, illusions, and incoherence, occurring in intoxication, fever, and other disorders.	A chronic or persistent disorder of the mental processes caused by brain disease or injury and marked by memory disorders, personality changes, and impaired reasoning.
Causes	Its causes are: Alcohol and sedative drug withdrawal Drug abuse Electrolyte or other body chemical disturbances Infections such as urinary tract infections or pneumonia Poisons Surgery	Its causes are: Depression Medication side effects Excess use of alcohol Thyroid problems Vitamin deficiencies
Synonyms	Hallucination, hysteria, fever, ardor, enthusiasm, fervor	Derangement, mental disorder, unbalance, madness and insanity
Antonyms	Coldness, calm, happiness, lethargy, balance and dislike	Rationality, normality, soundness, wit, clearness and lucidity
Types	Its types are: Hypo active Hyperactive Mixed	Its types are: Alzheimer’s disease Vascular dementia Dementia with lewy bodies Mixed dementia Parkinson’s disease Frontotemporal dementia Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease Normal pressure hydrocephalus Huntington’s disease Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome
History	The development of the concept of delirium spans nearly 2,500 years. Its core clinical features were recognized at least as early as the 16th century, while its management reflected a humane approach from the beginning of the modern era. In the 19th century delirium became linked with the concepts of disordered consciousness and confusion, but these two terms were also used in regard to certain functional mental disorders.	The history of dementia is probably as old as mankind itself. In recent years, considerable advances have been made in our understanding of the epidemiology, the pathogenesis and the diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and related disorders, and the nosology of these disorders is under scrutiny. Furthermore, we are witnessing the emergence of therapeutic agents specifically designed to enhance memory and cognition in AD patients.
Word origin	It was originated in Mid 16th century: from Latin, from delirare ‘deviate, be deranged’ (literally ‘deviate from the furrow’), from de- ‘away’ + lira ‘ridge between furrows’.	It was originated in Late 18th century: from Latin, from demens, dement- ‘out of one’s mind’.
Cure	Delirium is curable and reversible.	Dementia is progressive and often incurable.
Nature	Delirium delirium lasts for days to weeks.	Dementia is permanent in nature.
Focus	Ability to focus is greatly reduced in delirium.	A person can concentrate in dementia.
Pronunciation	Eng (UK): /dɪˈlɪrɪəm/ Eng (US): /dəˈlirēəm/	Eng (UK): /dɪˈmɛnʃə/ Eng (US): /dəˈmen(t)SH(ē)ə/
Symptoms	Its symptoms are: change in alertness change in feelings and perception changes in level of consciousness or awareness changes in movement changes in sleep patterns, drowsiness confusion about time or place decrease in short term memory and recall disorganized thinking, such as talking in the way that doesn’t make sense emotional or personality changes, such as anger, agitation, depression, irritability, overly happy Incontinence movements triggered by changes in the nervous system problem concentrating	Its symptoms are: Memory loss Difficulty communicating or finding words Difficulty with complex tasks Difficulty with planning and organizing Difficulty with coordination and motor functions Problems with disorientation, such as getting lost Personality changes Inability to reason Inappropriate behavior Paranoia Agitation Hallucinations
Treatments	Its treatments are: Fluid and nutrition should be given carefully because the patient may be unwilling or physically unable to maintain a balanced intake. Reorientation techniques or memory cues such as a calendar, clocks, and family photos may be helpful. The environment should be stable, quiet, and well-lighted. Family members and staff should explain proceedings at every opportunity, reinforce orientation, and reassure the patient. Physical restraints should be avoided. Delirious patients may pull out intravenous lines, climb out of bed, and may not be compliant. These patients should never be left alone or unattended.	Its treatments are: Take vitamins for a deficiency of vitamin B12. Take thyroid hormones for hypothyroidism. Have surgery to remove a brain tumor or to reduce pressure on the brain. Stop or change medicines that are causing memory loss or confusion. Take medicines to treat an infection, such as encephalitis. Take medicine to treat depression. Get treatment for reversible conditions caused by AIDS.
Prevention	The delirium can be prevented by: Promoting good sleep habits Helping the person remain calm and well-oriented Helping prevent medical problems or other complications.	The dementia can be prevented by: Regular exercise Healthy diet Mental stimulation Quality sleep Stress management An active social life
Example in Sentence	Ricky fell into the state of delirium. A patient shouted in delirium.	The old man suffered from dementia. The people suffering from dementia may misunderstand.