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Are Bouts Of Uncontrollable Diarrhea And Dehydration Serious Concerns Apart From Symptoms Of Confusion And Paranoia?
Question: Hello, Dr. Rynne,
My 91 year-old father in law is in the hospital. He has a spinal fracture that an orthopedist wants to do a non-invasive glueing, basically. He, however, has been dehydrated and had a two major bouts of uncontrollable diarrhea that put him in the hospital yesterday. They are running several tests but he is now being very paranoid and saying very strange things--he is extremely combative and confused. Is this from the dehydration or possibly shock? The doctors haven't made a conclusion. Thank you very much
My 91 year-old father in law is in the hospital. He has a spinal fracture that an orthopedist wants to do a non-invasive glueing, basically. He, however, has been dehydrated and had a two major bouts of uncontrollable diarrhea that put him in the hospital yesterday. They are running several tests but he is now being very paranoid and saying very strange things--he is extremely combative and confused. Is this from the dehydration or possibly shock? The doctors haven't made a conclusion. Thank you very much
Brief Answer:
delirium
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
this is called delirium. Delirium is usually associated with dementia particularly in the elderly. Some patients may have not exhibited symptoms of dementia before they present with delirium but they may manifest delirium when they're brought to a place they're not familiar with (a hospital in most cases) under stressful circumstances (an illness). Fever, diarrhea, dehydration are all potential causes for exhibiting symptoms of delirium. Shock is a disabling state and patients with true shock are usually quiet and even motionless.
Certain details may help to distinguish between dementia-associated delirium and delirium caused by other disorders. For example a patient who has become increasingly forgetful in the recent past and only exhibits delirium after being brought to the hospital is probably suffering from dementia (although other disorders may worsen dementia symptoms and lead to delirium). At his 91 years of age this is the most likely scenario... If everything turns out OK and he returns home, he will have to be assessed for dementia after he gets back to his normal level of activity.
Obviously, correcting any disorder (diarrhea, dehydration, etc.) will help him to get better.
I hope you find this information helpful! Please don't hesitate to use your follow-up questions if you'd like more help.
Regards!
delirium
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
this is called delirium. Delirium is usually associated with dementia particularly in the elderly. Some patients may have not exhibited symptoms of dementia before they present with delirium but they may manifest delirium when they're brought to a place they're not familiar with (a hospital in most cases) under stressful circumstances (an illness). Fever, diarrhea, dehydration are all potential causes for exhibiting symptoms of delirium. Shock is a disabling state and patients with true shock are usually quiet and even motionless.
Certain details may help to distinguish between dementia-associated delirium and delirium caused by other disorders. For example a patient who has become increasingly forgetful in the recent past and only exhibits delirium after being brought to the hospital is probably suffering from dementia (although other disorders may worsen dementia symptoms and lead to delirium). At his 91 years of age this is the most likely scenario... If everything turns out OK and he returns home, he will have to be assessed for dementia after he gets back to his normal level of activity.
Obviously, correcting any disorder (diarrhea, dehydration, etc.) will help him to get better.
I hope you find this information helpful! Please don't hesitate to use your follow-up questions if you'd like more help.
Regards!
Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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