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Suggest Therapy For Short Term Memory Loss
My Father in Law has for several months been showing signs of short term memory loss and confusion.
His history is that he suffered cancer of the colon 3 years ago, had it removed, stomach stretched and although he has not been in the best of health, considering what he has been through at the age of 83 has done well.
The signs of memory loss have been slowly getting worse. Recently he became dehydrated, very confused had a raging temperature and ended up in hospital having contracted an infection. He came out of hospital last Thursday but has had bouts of diarrhea and decided to self administer some morphine which was given to him at some stage during this last 3 years, possibly from the recent hospital visit. He now seems to be hallucinating, putting on hats that he does not have, says he has his trousers on when he hasn't, picking up cheque books that are not there but he is convinced they are and handing the phantom cheque book to us. Any ideas ?
His history is that he suffered cancer of the colon 3 years ago, had it removed, stomach stretched and although he has not been in the best of health, considering what he has been through at the age of 83 has done well.
The signs of memory loss have been slowly getting worse. Recently he became dehydrated, very confused had a raging temperature and ended up in hospital having contracted an infection. He came out of hospital last Thursday but has had bouts of diarrhea and decided to self administer some morphine which was given to him at some stage during this last 3 years, possibly from the recent hospital visit. He now seems to be hallucinating, putting on hats that he does not have, says he has his trousers on when he hasn't, picking up cheque books that are not there but he is convinced they are and handing the phantom cheque book to us. Any ideas ?
Fri, 12 Sep 2014
From your description it appears that your father in law has Delirium. It is an acute confusional state that needs urgent medical attention. Several factors can cause and precipitate Delirium. Pre-existing cognitive impairment (such as short term memory loss) makes a person more vulnerable to delirium.
In old age, Delirium is usually due to multiple causes. Your father in law too seems to have multiple factors: earlier cognitive impairment, dehydration, fever, diarrohea, morphine etc.
In my practice I give instructions about environmental management which are helpful.
You should not oppose him.
Be gentle with him. Avoid physical restraints.
Keep him in familiar surrounding and with familiar people around.
Give him gentle orienting clues about time, place and person.
Keep the lights bright in day time and dim at night time. Keep noise minimum at night.
Keep him awake and engaged in day time.
Ensure that he takes enough liquids. Try to give fluids with adequate electrolytes. Oral rehydration solution (ORS) is good.
The doctors may order blood tests to see if there is electrolyte imbalance etc.
If morphine is the main cause for delirium, it should recover as morphine is cleared away from body.
Once he recovers, take him to a psychiatrist or a neurologist for evaluation for dementia in view of his short term memory loss.
Hope this answers your question.
In old age, Delirium is usually due to multiple causes. Your father in law too seems to have multiple factors: earlier cognitive impairment, dehydration, fever, diarrohea, morphine etc.
In my practice I give instructions about environmental management which are helpful.
You should not oppose him.
Be gentle with him. Avoid physical restraints.
Keep him in familiar surrounding and with familiar people around.
Give him gentle orienting clues about time, place and person.
Keep the lights bright in day time and dim at night time. Keep noise minimum at night.
Keep him awake and engaged in day time.
Ensure that he takes enough liquids. Try to give fluids with adequate electrolytes. Oral rehydration solution (ORS) is good.
The doctors may order blood tests to see if there is electrolyte imbalance etc.
If morphine is the main cause for delirium, it should recover as morphine is cleared away from body.
Once he recovers, take him to a psychiatrist or a neurologist for evaluation for dementia in view of his short term memory loss.
Hope this answers your question.
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