Causes of Terminal Restlessness
There are many different causes of delirium and terminal restlessness. Some causes are easily reversed, while others are not.
Some of the most common causes of delirium include:
- Medications: opioids, anti-seizure drugs, steroids, and anxiolytics are just a few of the medications that can cause delirium. Overuse of medications leads to toxicity and under-use amplifies pain and discomfort, which can further worsen delirium.
- Untreated physical pain or discomfort
- Dehydration
- Decreased oxygen in the blood/brain
- Anemia (decreased red blood cells)
- Infections and fevers
- Brain tumors or brain swelling
- Urinary retention (the inability to void urine could be caused by disease, a kinked urinary catheter, or bladder spasms)
- Constipation or fecal impaction
- Fear, anxiety, emotional turmoil
- Cancer treatments
- Metabolic disturbances (common at the end of life as vital organs begin to shut down)
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