Delirium

Delirium is a state of mental confusion marked by an acute decline in attention and cognition that is brought about by illness causing a disturbance in the normal functioning of the brain.  Symptoms are disorientation, incoherence, and memory disturbances.  Causes are typically metabolic abnormalities, vitamin deficiency, imbalance of fluids and electrolytes in the blood, severe dehydration, and drug intoxication.  A patient can be completely lucid part of the day and profoundly confused the rest of the day.  Treatment focuses on the underlying cause and reducing disturbing stimuli.