Essay Sample on Treating Neurocognitive Disorder: Delirium & Its Symptoms

Introduction

Delirium is a sudden alteration in the brain that leads to emotional disruption and mental confusion. As a result of the disorder, the affected find it hard to recall, think critically, sleep, and remain attentive while pursuing various life goals. There are chances of the disease to manifest alongside dementia, during alcohol withdrawal, and after undergoing surgery. Notably, delirium is often temporary and is effectively treatable. The neurocognitive disorder (delirium) is a significantly influential psychological disorder when it comes to jeopardizing the presence and functionality of the essential cognitive and mental systems. This postulate is founded on the premise that psychological abilities are centered in the brain whereby the motor, relay, and sensory neurons prolifically contribute to the cognition and mental capacities.

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Types of the Neurocognitive Disorder (Delirium)

The neurocognitive disorder (delirium) occurs in many categories depending on the characteristics, severity, and causalities. Delirium tremens is the severe form of the disorder and is commonly experienced by those who are on the verge of halting a drinking lifestyle (Arias, Bursian, Sappenfield, & Price, 2018). Hyperactive delirium is describable by an uncooperative and a highly alerting manifestation delirium (Arias et al., 2018). Hypoactive delirium is the most common form of the disorder that is characterized by intense sleeping, disorganization regarding the daily task and a lack of attention to vital aspects of life such as work or learning (Adamis et al., 2016). Key to note, another type of delirium (mixed delirium) occurs when hyperactive and hypoactive delirium disorders can be simultaneously detected owing to an alternate manifestation of the symptoms of the two states (Arias et al., 2018).

Causes of the Neurocognitive Disorder (Delirium)

The neurocognitive disorder (delirium) mainly revolve the jeopardized functionality of the brain. Therefore, causative agents of the disorder have a significant impact on the functioning of the mental and cognitive systems. Notably, diseases such as pneumonia, which are infectious and lead to inflammation, significantly interfere with brain function (Arias et al., 2018). The main reason for the emergence of the delirium disorder amid other diseases is the capacity to tamper with the brain and how it communicates with the rest of the body and vice-versa. This claim is built on the premise that the sensory, motor, and relay neurons often affect the conveyance of messages and signals across the communication route that connects the functionality of the brain, receptors, and effectors (Evered, Eckenhoff, & International Perioperative Cognition Nomenclature Working Group, 2017).

The neurocognitive disorder (delirium) is also caused by certain medications like those designed to normalize the blood pressure or the inappropriate use of drugs that can potentially disrupt the chemicals that boost an equilibrium in brain functionality. Freter, Koller, Dunbar, MacKnight, and Rockwood (2017) infer that there is logical reasoning behind adherence to prescriptions when subjected to medication-assisted treatments (MAT). It is because the biologically active ingredients in prescribed drugs must be analyzed and aligned to the desired outcomes when used by the diagnosed. Psychological functions must be assessed amid the use of the various drugs that could aim to alleviate the rate of blood pressure to avoid interference with the chemical composition and workability of the brain (Arias et al., 2018). These considerations are key to curbing deteriorations in the functionality and performance of the cognitive and mental systems that play a core role in instituting logical reasoning and critical thinking while handling daily chores.

Alcohol withdrawal and the ingestion of toxic substances also stand a high chance of causing neurocognitive disorder (delirium). Notably, alcohol withdrawal is a characteristic outcome of alcoholism and its addiction. Prior to the withdrawal syndrome, alcohol abuse makes the brain dependent on the intake of alcohol to feel okay as the psychological capacities such as emotional feeling and normalized reaction to issues become dependent on alcohol (Freter et al., 2017). The deterred functionality of the cognitive and mental systems is often brought about upon stopped drinking, whereby former addicts find it hard to pursue their various duties and goals without drinking.

Similarly, the entire functionality of the brain gets jeopardized and functions in an anomaly manner. Similarly, the ingestion of toxic substances deters the functionality of the essential body organs and organ systems such as mental and cognitive systems (Adamis et al., 2016). Therefore, the Psychological health and functions of the human body are correlational to the way other aspects such as medication-assisted treatments (MAT) and intoxication, which alter the chemical composition of the body and the body at large.

Asthma disease is another cause of neurocognitive disorder (delirium). As asthma, is a disease of the gaseous exchange system, it relates to breathing difficulties. As a result, the blood gets inadequately oxygenated, and it affects the entire body's functions, including critical organs such as the brain (Adamis et al., 2016). Notably, whenever the functionality of the brain is tampered with for whichever reasons, it becomes difficult to contain normal performances of essential systems such as the cognitive and mentality.

The Neurocognitive Disorder (Delirium) Risk

Specific conditions render people vulnerable to the contraction of the neurocognitive disorder (delirium). The old are susceptible to the disorder due to deterioration in the cell rejuvenation, especially in critical organs such as the brain (FitzGerald et al., 2016). Also, at the old age, people are susceptible to a wide range of disorders such as dementia that prolifically contribute to the deteriorations in the functionality of the brain (Evered, Eckenhoff, & International Perioperative Cognition Nomenclature Working Group, 2017). Such that, when old, there it is highly probable that reduced performances of the brain could lead to disorders that can manifest symptoms like memory lapse (FitzGerald et al., 2016). The others who are faced with increased risks of delirium are patients who have had surgery before, those who are fighting with alcohol and drugs, people who are diagnosed with extreme emotional stress, and those diagnosed with adverse conditions that potentially damage the brain such as dementia and stroke. Other lifestyles that increase the risk of delirium are dehydration, poor nutrition, sleep deprivation, infections like a urinary tract infection (UTI), and some medications such as sleeping pills, pain relievers, sedatives, and blood pressure drugs (FitzGerald et al., 2016).

Symptoms of Neurocognitive Disorder (Delirium)

Symptoms are essential for monitoring the emergence of neurocognitive disorder (delirium). The neurocognitive disorder (delirium) affects one's emotions, mind, sleeping patterns, and muscle control (Arias et al., 2018). As a result, concentration becomes a challenge as the affected feel confused regarding their whereabouts. Extremely slow or fast movements and mood swings are also characteristic symptoms of delirium (Freter et al., 2017). Other signs of the disorder include the inability to speak clearly and think critically, deteriorated short-term memory, poor sleeping and a drowsy feeling, as well as a loss of muscle control such as incontinence (Smith et al., 2016).

Neurocognitive Disorder (Delirium) Diagnosis

When the outlines symptoms appear in patients, it is prudent to seek the help of skilled and specialized healthcare practitioners who can further check for the presence of the disease. In this case, physicians must examine and observe the symptoms to infer regarding the capacity to speak, move, and normally think (Adamis et al., 2016). One specified method that can be used to diagnose neurocognitive disorder (delirium) is the Confusion Assessment Method (CAM) (Smith et al., 2016). The method is critically influential in helping healthcare practitioners to observe whether a person is rambling, is having a hard time remaining attentive or following closely as others communicate, and their behaviors change throughout the day, especially when hospitalized (Adamis et al., 2016).

Notably, the essence of an informed diagnosis process is to discern the most appropriate approaches to curbing the emergence and worsening of the neurocognitive disorder (delirium). Doctors work with an understanding that brain chemistry is highly volatile (Smith et al., 2016). As such, the tests that are relevant to the medical history and symptoms must be run to determine the cause of the neurocognitive disorder (delirium) (Smith et al., 2016). Some of the necessary examinations for checking these imbalances are head scans, drug and alcohol tests, blood chemistry test, liver tests, thyroid tests, urine tests, and a chest X-ray (Arias et al., 2018).

Treatment for Neurocognitive Disorder (Delirium)

The treatment method are dependent on the causes of neurocognitive disorder (delirium) whereby medications can be used or foster a stoppage for drugs that are aimed to cure other disorders (Adamis et al., 2016). Among the old, the accuracy of diagnosis is vital for treatment since the symptoms are closely related to dementia, but the two disorders call for totally different treatments.

Medication-Assisted Treatments (MAT)

The use of medication to treat the neurocognitive disorder can only be prescribed to address its underlying cause. For instance, when delirium is caused by a severe asthmatic attack, the diagnosed get prescribed to use a breathing machine or an inhaler to restore their breathing (Adamis et al., 2016). If the disorder is caused by a bacterial infection, antibiotic drugs are often prescribed. In other cases, medical practitioners have the mandate to recommend a stoppage to alcohol drinking and some medications such as codeine, which is known to depress the functional system (Scherrer et al., 2016). Similarly agitation and depression call for the use of small doses of thiamine to aid in preventing confusion, dopamine that can help in addressing drug poisoning, sedatives to deal with alcohol withdrawal, and depressants that are used to relieve stress.

Counselling

Counselling is also a therapeutic approach to addressing the prevalence of the psychological disorder that could jeopardize the attainment of goals from the daily tasks and duties (Evered et al., 2017). Pieces of advice influential in addressing the use of undesirable and harmful substances that trigger the emergence of delirium (Adamis et al., 2016). Also, counselling is important for reducing tension and fostering a feeling of comfort while safety discussing through and feelings.

Conclusion

In a nutshell, delirium is a psychological disorder that affect is caused by changes in the brain leading to disrupted emotions and mental confusion. Most of the causative agents such as toxic substances, asthma, and drugs that tamper with the chemical composition and functionality of the brain echo the distraction on the way the brain works (Freter et al., 2017). Symptoms such as confusion and emotional instability must be further assessed during the diagnosis to dictate the right treatment to prescribe (Arias et al., 2018). Therefore, with the right treatment technique, delirium is treatable, and patients are advised to consult their medical practitioners when the medications used cause side-effects.

References

Adamis, D., Meagher, D., Murray, O., O'neill, D., O'mahony, E., Mulligan, O., & McCarthy, G. (2016). Evaluating attention in delirium: A comparison of bedside tests of atten...