Excited Delirium Research Paper

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EXCITED DELIRIUM 3/23/2011 EMS deal with many types of emergencies. Some of these may be extremely common such as car wrecks, heart attacks and seizures, while others namely Excited Delirium is not so common. According to Keith Wesley, MD, FACEP, excited delirium is, “a condition that manifests as a combination of delirium, psychomotor, agitation, anxiety, hallucinations, speech disturbances, disorientations, violent and bizarre behavior, insensitivity to pain, elevated body temperatures and superhuman strength” (Excited Delirium Strikes Without Warning). With these unusual characteristics, Paramedics must fully understand all aspects of it, how to assess it and what to do about it. It is exceedingly important to understand the…show more content…
Researchers believe that, elevated dopamine levels, psychiatric conditions, and being restrained are some of the factors that cause excited delirium. Per Wesley elevated levels of dopamine are the cause of Excited Delirium symptoms. With the increase in dopamine along with the effects of stimulant drugs the body has an increase in metabolic activity that induces hyperthermia. With all the increase in muscle use you have an elevated creatinine phosphokinase from the muscle death causing the patient to become acidotic. Now the patient is hyperkalemic from the metabolic acidosis causing dysrhythmias leading to cardiac arrest. (Excited Delirium Strikes Without Warning). Dopamine can be a self-induced problem by taking illegal drugs that block the uptake of dopamine or it can be something the body produces too much of on its own. Wesley goes on to say that, “A large number of these patients who suffer from excited delirium have pre-existing psychiatric conditions…” (Excited Delirium Strikes Without…show more content…
I understand that some want to blame law enforcement for the deaths of many individuals that have died as a result of what is being called Excited Delirium. However, I feel there is enough research to prove it is very plausible that police brutality is not the problem but most likely Excited Delirium. The simple fact that there is medical data from autopsies referring to the dopamine levels and the acidotic state from suspected ED deaths should be enough for serious consideration. The most important thing at this time is education of Excited Delirium for anyone who may have to deal with this type of issue. Law enforcement needs to learn how to recognize the symptoms and be taught proper restraining techniques to help prevent death. EMS must learn how to recognize and treat Excited Delirium patients so there can hopefully be more positive outcomes. All documentation refers to Law enforcement, EMS, and Doctors but I think the awareness needs to go further. There are other professions that could possible encounter this type of problem such as teachers. Education and training are the keys to preventing these

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