The Link Between Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and Dementia: What You Need to Know

Has anyone in your family, perhaps your mother, father, or a loved one, been in the intensive care unit (ICU) after a sudden illness or major surgery? Have you noticed any changes in their behavior, memory, or speech since they came home? Sometimes we think this is just a side effect of the illness. However, there may be a connection between intensive care treatment and long-term changes in brain function. Today we are going to talk about this topic that many people are not aware of, but it is very important.

The Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and your brain

An intensive care unit, or ICU, is a place where patients who require 24-hour specialized medical supervision are cared for after a life-threatening illness, serious accident, or major surgery.

Patients in the ICU are often given very strong medications. Also, their illness can reduce the amount of oxygen that reaches the brain and change the chemical processes in the brain. When all of this comes together, the way the brain processes information and maintains mental balance begins to become confused. The way we think, the way we speak, and even the way we see our surroundings can change. In medical terms, we call this condition delirium.

Simply put, this is a temporary state of severe mental confusion. When delirium occurs, the patient may forget where they are. Or they may think they are somewhere other than the hospital. They may see and hear things that are not there. People who come to help may not be able to speak clearly. Some describe the experience as being like being lost in a bad dream. This can be a very frightening experience for the patient and for the family watching.

What are the long-term effects of this condition?

Although delirium is a temporary condition, it can take days, even weeks, to fully recover. And research shows that its effects can linger after you leave the hospital. More than a third of people who recover from a serious illness have difficulty thinking clearly, remembering things, organizing their time, and solving problems.

Although this condition improves over time, it does not happen to everyone. Some studies show that up to 75% of patients discharged from intensive care units may show signs of some form of dementia .

Scientists are not sure why, but it seems that the longer the sedatives are given, the higher the risk. Also, people with sepsis ( blood poisoning), kidney failure, brain disease, or heart surgery are at higher risk of developing dementia.

How do you talk to hospital staff?

When your loved one is in the hospital, there are doctors, nurses, and other staff members who are there to take care of them. If you don't understand a word or treatment they use, don't be shy about asking them to explain it. Lack of good communication between family and staff is one of the biggest headaches during a hospital stay.

These things will help you maintain good communication:

• Choose a lead coordinator: Instead of asking everyone in the family for details at the same time, choose one family member (you or someone else) to speak to the staff.
• Know your daily plan: Talk to your doctor every day about your treatment plan for the day and what to expect in the next few days.
• Know who to ask questions to: If you have a question during the day, ask who the nurse or staff member is to talk to.
• Be prepared for when the doctors come: Most doctors come to see patients in the morning or evening. Be prepared by writing down your questions in advance.
• Ask questions in order: You may not get all the answers you need at once. So decide what the most important questions are and ask them first.
• Take notes: Write down what you say when you talk to the staff. This will make it easier to remember later.
• Ask for information leaflets: If you want to know more about a new treatment, ask if there are any brochures available about it.
• Get a contact phone number: Ask for a phone number you can call if you have a problem after you get home.

How to prevent and treat?

Because of this link between ICU delirium and long-term problems, doctors are now using special strategies to prevent this condition or to control it quickly if it starts. This is called the 'ABCDEF Bundle'.

Here are some of them:

• Trying to identify the pain or discomfort of patients who cannot speak.
• Using painkillers that have a low risk of causing delirium.
• Allowing the patient to rest and sleep well without frequent interruptions.
• Remove the patient from breathing machines as soon as possible.
• Get the patient out of bed as soon as possible and walk around a bit.
• Help maintain the natural sleep-wake cycle by keeping the lights on during the day and off at night.
• Involving family members in the patient care process.

Intensive Care Unit, ICU, Dementia, Delirium, Delirium, Memory Loss, Brain Health, Hospital Treatment