Dementia Due to Sepsis

Dementia and delirium are closely related disorders. According to research published in the journal Intensive Care Medicine in 2007, delirium is a common complication of sepsis, which is an immune system disorder.

Dementia

• Dementia refers to a group of symptoms caused by diseases and conditions that affect the brain. Symptoms of dementia may include memory loss, impaired speech and language capability, behavioral disturbances, mood disturbances, personality changes and hallucinations.

Features

• According to Mayo Clinic, delirium and dementia frequently overlap and may share common causes. Dementia and delirium caused by infections and immune system disorders may be reversible.

Sepsis

• Sepsis is a serious disease caused by the body’s response to bacterial infection. An overactive immune system can cause blood clots to block the flow of blood to the organs, which may lead to organ failure and death.

Considerations

• According to Medline Plus, the elderly, infants and those with a weakened immune system are most likely to get sepsis. Dementia often is associated with death from sepsis in the elderly.

Cause

• Delirium and dementia are conditions that fall under the more general terms "mental status change" or "acute confusional state." Sepsis is a possible cause of mental status change.

Treatment

• Treating sepsis treats the dementia caused by sepsis. Medications used to treat sepsis may include antibiotics and vasopressors, which are drugs that increase blood pressure.