Whats the difference between dementia and delirium for old age people?
Delirium and Dementia are the two main types of organic brain syndrome, with focal lesions also to be considered. The term organic brain syndrome means a general disturbance of brain function due to a physical disorder. The characteristic feature is a reduction in intellectual functioning. If the disturbance comes on suddenly, eg in the context of a very high fever, then there will be acute organic brain syndrome, most often referred to as delirium or acute confusional state, with reduced conscious level- drowsiness- as the cardinal feature. If however the disturbance comes on gradually, for example, in dementia due to Alzheimer’s, then the reduction in intellectual functioning will occur in clear consciousness, that is, there is no drowsiness (only until the terminal stages).
