Confusion
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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.
See also: Dementia, for more information about chronic or long-term confusion.
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. It may be associated with delirium or dementia.
Confusion is more common in the elderly, and often occurs during a hospital stay.
Some confused people may have strange or unusual behavior or 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
- Illness in a person with existing neurological disease such as a stroke
- 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)
References
Inouye SK. Delirium and other mental status problems in the older patient. In: Goldman L, Ausiello D, eds. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier. 2007: chap 26.
Knopman DS. Alzheimer's disease and other dementias. In: Goldman L, Ausiello D, eds. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier. 2007: chap 425.
Review Date: 2/6/2010
Reviewed By: David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine; Luc Jasmin, MD, PhD, Department of Neurosurgery at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, and Department of Anatomy at UCSF, San Francisco, CA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. Copyright 2004 A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.
Alternative Names
Disorientation; Thinking - unclear; Thoughts - cloudy
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.
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.
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.
See also: Dementia - home care
Call your health care provider if
Call 911 if:
If you have been experiencing confusion, call for an appointment with your doctor.
What to expect at your health care provider's office
The doctor will do a physical examination and ask questions such as:
- Does the person get days and nights mixed up? Is he or she awake during the usual sleep time?
- Does the person have trouble recognizing people?
- Does the person know where he or she is?
- Does he or she know the date and time?
- Can the person answer questions correctly?
- Is the person always confused?
- Are there many episodes of confusion?
- Is the confusion quickly getting worse?
- Does the confusion come and go?
- Has there been any recent illness?
- Has there been a recent head injury?
- Is the person diabetic?
- Does the person have chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), chronic bronchitis, or a similar lung disorder?
- What medications is the person taking?
- Has there been any exposure to other drugs or alcohol?
Tests may include:
Blood tests
CT scan of the head
Electroencephelogram EEG
Mental status tests
Neuropsychological tests
Urine tests
Prevention
Don't drink too much alcohol
Eat a balanced diet with plenty of vitamins and minerals
Get enough sleep
Keep careful control of your blood sugar if you have diabetes
Quit smoking, which puts you at greater risk for lung diseases
Take your medications as prescribed
References
Inouye SK. Delirium and other mental status problems in the older patient. In: Goldman L, Ausiello D, eds. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier. 2007: chap 26.
Knopman DS. Alzheimer's disease and other dementias. In: Goldman L, Ausiello D, eds. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier. 2007: chap 425.
Review Date: 2/6/2010
Reviewed By: David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine; Luc Jasmin, MD, PhD, Department of Neurosurgery at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, and Department of Anatomy at UCSF, San Francisco, CA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. Copyright 2004 A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.
Review Date: 2/6/2010
Reviewed By: David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine; Luc Jasmin, MD, PhD, Department of Neurosurgery at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, and Department of Anatomy at UCSF, San Francisco, CA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. Copyright 2004 A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.