Causes
Delirium is a very general and nonspecific symptom of brain dysfunction. Delirium may be caused by physical illness, which can be mild, or any process which interferes with the normal metabolism or function of the brain. For example, electric shock, fever, pain, poisons (including toxic drug reactions), brain injury, hypoxia, anoxia, surgery, traumatic shock, lack of food or water or sleep, and even withdrawal symptoms of certain drug and alcohol dependent states, are all known to cause delirium. In addition, there is an interaction between acute and chronic symptoms of brain dysfunction; delirious states are more easily produced in people already suffering with underlying chronic brain dysfunction.
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