Postoperative Delirium

What is Delirium?

Delirium is a common disorder that mostly affects older adults. However, it doesn’t discriminate, and can also affect young people - especially following surgery.

It is an acute cognitive state that causes the patient to experience fluctuating disturbances such as confusion, disorientation and reduced awareness (Mayo Clinic 2020).

The Difference Between Delirium and Dementia

Other causes of cognition changes, such as a pre-existing dementia, need to be ruled out before a diagnosis of delirium can be made. As the symptoms of delirium and dementia are similar, delirium can sometimes be misdiagnosed as dementia.