Sundowning Symptoms and How They Differ from Delirium
Disorientation and confusion underpin most of the other <a href="http://www.time.news/music-has-a-profound-effect-on-people-with-dementia-sciencealert/” title=”Music Has a Profound Effect on People With Dementia : ScienceAlert”>sundowning symptoms and behaviors. As the day ends, individuals may experience uncertainty and confusion about their surroundings.
“For example, if their family is preparing dinner, the patient might be thinking, ‘What are these people doing?’ They don’t understand the activity around preparing the meal,” said Dr. Diaz, a dementia specialist. They may also feel that they are in the wrong place.
Due to this disorientation, they may become agitated and restless. “They might pace around or rock in their chairs, indicating an inability to relax,” explained Dr. Krowel.
Individuals may experience anxiety, irritability, or aggression, and have difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep. “Relatives may say they observe the patient wandering at night, as they are reversing their day-night cycle,” Diaz noted.
Symptoms can vary significantly between patients because there are several forms of dementia. For instance, visual or auditory hallucinations are more prevalent in patients diagnosed with Lewy body dementia.
It’s crucial to differentiate sundowning from delirium, as their symptoms can mirror each other. Delirium can indicate a serious or potentially life-threatening condition, making it essential to identify its root cause. “Disorientation in delirium may suggest that the patient is in critical condition, possibly due to severe infections, sepsis, or even strokes,” Diaz explained.
The primary difference between delirium and sundowning is the timing of the symptoms. Sundowning typically occurs around sunset or at specific times of the day, while delirium onset is abrupt and can occur at any time.
“Usually, once the underlying cause of delirium is treated or managed, the symptoms will resolve. In contrast, sundowning tends to recur, but there are ways to alleviate its symptoms,” added Diaz.
If you suspect your loved one is experiencing delirium, Krowel recommends consulting a primary care physician or seeking emergency care depending on the severity of the symptoms.