What causes acute delirium?

Delirium is considered a medical emergency, in part because it's often the main expression of a sudden, life-threatening infection or illness. Hospitalization or recovery from surgery often precipitates delirium in older people. In fact, research shows 6% to 56% of older adults may experience it while hospitalized. Other possible causes include insufficient oxygen due to respiratory problems, extremely low blood sugar (hypoglycemia), undetected infections, and heart problems. Even a simple urinary tract infection might be a culprit.

In people of any age, alcohol withdrawal syndrome presents the classic picture of delirium. Similarly, delirium can occur from abrupt withdrawal from benzodiazepines, a group of anti-anxiety drugs that includes diazepam (Valium), chlordiazepoxide (Librium), and alprazolam (Xanax), or stem from taking multiple medications to treat co-existing health problems.