CONFUSION

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Confusion

Definition

Confusion is the inability to think with your usual speed or clarity, including feeling disoriented and having difficulty paying attention, remembering, and making decisions.

Alternative Names

Disorientation; Thinking - unclear; Thoughts - cloudy

Considerations

Confusion may come on quickly or slowly over time, depending on the cause. Many times, confusion is temporary. Other times it is permanent and not curable.

Confusion is more common in the elderly, and often occurs during a hospital stay.

Some confused people may act aggressively.

Common Causes

• Alcohol intoxication
• Brain tumor
• Concussion
• Fever
• Fluid and electrolyte imbalance
• Head trauma or head injury
• Illness in an elderly person
• Infections
• Lack of sleep (sleep deprivation)
• Low blood sugar
• Low levels of oxygen (for example, from chronic lung disorders)
• Medications
• Nutritional deficiencies, especially niacin, thiamine, vitamin C, or vitamin B12
• Seizures
• Sudden drop in body temperature (hypothermia)

Home Care

A good way to find out if someone is confused is to ask the person his or her name, age, and the date. If they are unsure or answer incorrectly, they are confused.

A confused person should not be left alone. For safety, the person may need physical restraints.

To help a confused person:

• Always introduce yourself, no matter how well the person once knew you.
• Often remind the person of his or her location.
• Place a calendar and clock near the person.
• Talk about current events and plans for the day.
• Try to keep the surroundings calm, quiet, and peaceful.

For sudden confusion due to low blood sugar (for example, from diabetes medication), the person should drink a sweet drink or eat a sweet snack. If the confusion lasts longer than 10 minutes, call the doctor.

Call your health care provider if

Call 911 if:

• Confusion has come on suddenly or there are other symptoms such as:
  • Cold or clammy skin
  • Dizziness or feeling faint
  • Fast pulse
  • Fever
  • Headache
  • Slow or rapid breathing
  • Uncontrolled shivering
• Confusion has come on suddenly in someone with diabetes.
• Confusion came on after a head injury.
• The person becomes unconscious at any time.

If you have been experiencing confusion, call for an appointment with your doctor.

Reviewer Info: Luc Jasmin, MD, PhD, Departments of Anatomy & Neurological Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, CA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc., 02/13/2008