Delirium and Dementia: Definitions, Symptoms, and Differences in Medical Contexts

delirium

Acute, sudden disruption in brain function with fluctuating confusion, often reversible and caused by medical issues (ex UTI, meds)

key symptoms of delirum

inattention, disorganzied thinking, altered consiousness

delirium categories

hyperactive (agitated), hypoactive (lethargic), mixed psychomotor

CAM criteria for delirum

acute onsent + inattention + disorganized thinking or altered consciousness

dementia

chronic, progressive cognitive decline with memory loss and functional impairment

key differnce between dementia and delirum

delirium is sudden and reversible and dementia is slow and permanent

relationship between delrium and dementia

delirium increases risk of dementia and vice versa

alzheimers disease

most commmon dementia, memory loss, aphasia, apraxia

aphasia

language impairment

apraxia

inability to perform learned movements

lewy body dementia

hallucinations, wandering, confusion, high fall risk and getting lost

vascular dementia

caused by redcued blood flow (stroke), step like decline, seen on MRI, associated with cardiovascular disease

frontotemporal dementia

early personality/behavioral changes, occurs <65, loss of judgement, inappropirate behavior

#1 cause of cardiovascular disease

poor nutrition

why delirium is dangerous in older adults

can happen overnight, often missed, and is a medical emergency that can lead to prmamnet damge is untreated

why older adults are at higher risk for delirum

reduced brain reserve and increased sensititvity to stressors (infection, meds)

functional risk of delirium

forgeting stove on, wandering, inability to care for self

why alzheimers affects independence

patient forgets people, places, and basic tasks, cannot live alone safely

age related cardiovascular change

arteries stiffen, heart works harder

why aging increases heart disease risk

plaque builup + decreases elasticity

hypertension in older adults

high blood pressure, heart under constant stress, increases risk of stroke and heart failure

angina pectoris

chest pain due to lack of ozygen to heart muscle

why cardiovascular disease affects independence

fatugue, weakness, limited mobility

age related lung change

loss of elasticity, reduced oxygen change

why older adults get more infections

weaker cough reflux, cannot clear mucus

function impact of respiratory system aging

shortness of breath, reduced activity, loss of independence

UTI

infection of urinary tarct, commonlu E coli

why UTIs are dangerous in older adults

can cause sudden confusion (delirum)

common UTI sysmptoms

burning urination, frequency, cloudy urine

urinary incontinence (aging cause)

loss of bladder control due to weakened muscles

how incontinece affects quality of life

embarassment, social isolation, infection risk

renal failure

kidneys cannot filter waste

main causes of renal failure in older adults

diabetets and hypertension

why renal failure affects daily life

dailysis (hours mulitple times/week), fatigue, diet restrictions

why constipation is common in eldery

low fluid, low fiber, inactivity

fucntional impacts of constpiation

pain, discomfort, reduced appetite

diverticulitis

main symptoms is left lower abdominal pain, infection/inflammation of colon pouches

why diet matters for diverticulitis

low fiber increases risk, high fiber prevents

dysphagia

difficult swallowing

why is dysphagia dangerous in eldery

choking, weight loss, malnutrition

type 1 diabetes

no insulin production, lifelong

type 2 diabetes

lifestyle related, most common in eldery

why older adults are at higher risk of diabetes

obesity + aging + inactivity

symptoms of diabetes

frequent urination, thirst, blurred vision

complications in eldery from diabetes

falls, infections, vision loss, loss of indepedence

best management of diabetes

diet and exercise

age related change in immune system

Losing cells

Higher possibility of not recognizing bad from good

Not helping body get over illness

Wont be able to fight everything bc not as many cells

More susceptible to illness

High blood pressure, copd, renal failrue

Major struggle to help support body

why infections are more dangerous in eldery

slower healing, multiple chronic condtions

how to supprt immune system

sleep, hydration, nutrition

Function of immune system

Fight harmful substance and germs found within body

Recognise things that need to be repaired

Biggest autoimmune disease

type 1 diabetes or uncontrolled type 2

Cushing's syndrome

When body makes too much cortisol - helps with stress

Cortisol also helps to regulate type 2 diabetics insulin levels

Epidemiology

Obesity

Aging

main function of the endocrine system

homeostasis

Age relatrd disorders of the GI system

Xerostomia (dry mouth) - less saliva, bad breath

Diabetes is #1 leading cause of dry mouth

Dental Caries

Poop chart

Bristol stool chart, want to be type 4, 1 is too hard, 7 is too watery

Age related changes in the respiratory system

Decreased lung elasticity and size, reduced cilia and mucus production, weakened respiratory muscles, and a blunted cough reflex lead to decreased gas exchange and increased risk of infections and respiratory diseases such as COPD, pneumonia, and lung cancer.

functional impact of respiratory system

reduced gas exchnage, decreased oxygenation, and imapired ability to clear pathogens

age related urianry charges

reduced kidney function decreased GFR, decreased bladder elasticity, and weakened spinchter control leading to incontinence

reproductive system aging female changes

menpause, decreased estrogen, vaginal thickening, dryness, reduced fertility

reproductive system aging male changes

decreased testosterone, reduced sperm quality, enlarged prostate

functional impact of reproductive system

urinary issues, sexual dysfunction, increased cancer risk