Confusional State Confusion

Overview, Causes, & Risk Factors

Confusion is an abnormal mental condition or state of mind.A person who is confused has trouble understanding the environmentand may react or respond inappropriately to it.

What is going on in the body?

Confusion is often a sign of an underlying problem or illness.The causes range from mild to serious. Confusion may come on suddenlyor may occur gradually over time. Many causes of confusion are reversible.

What are the causes and risks of the symptom?

There are many possible causes of confusion, including:

being in an unfamiliar situation. For example, roughly 30% of people whoget admitted to a hospital intensive care unitbecome confused during their stay. Being sick and in an unusual situationcauses enough stressto make many people become confused.

a sudden illness, especially when the illness is severe. This is most likelyto occur in young children and elderly persons. Even theflucan cause confusion in some people. Other infections, such as the brain infectionsmeningitisand encephalitis,and a serious blood infection called sepsis,commonly cause confusion.

illegal drugs, alcohol,and some medicines

withdrawal from drugs or alcohol

low blood sugar, known as hypoglycemia

head injury

brain damage, such as that from Alzheimer disease,multiple sclerosis,Parkinson disease,a brain tumor,or a stroke

fluid and salt imbalances,such as low sodium

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chronic or serious infections or illnesses, such asHIV,Treponema pallidum\ bacteria. Less often, syphilis is transmitted from a pregnant woman to her baby. This form of syphilis is known as \congenital syphilis.\syphilis,appendicitis,chronic obstructive pulmonary disease,cirrhosis,chronic renal failure,anemia,canceror heart attacks

hormone imbalances, such as low thyroid levels orhypothyroidism

There are many other causes of confusion. Sometimes, acause cannot be found.

Symptoms & Signs

What other signs and symptoms are associated with this symptom?

People who are confused may exhibit the following signs andsymptoms:

They don’t know who they are or where they are.

They don’t know what time it is or even what year it is.

They are drowsy.

They are not able to concentrate or pay attention.

They misunderstand the things they see or hear.

They show poor judgment.

They have problems with coordination or movement.

They may be restless or agitated.

They have trouble remembering recent events.

Other symptoms are often related to the cause of the confusion.

Diagnosis & Tests

How is the symptom diagnosed?

When someone is confused, the doctor will try to determine thecause. A medical history and physical exam is done first. In some cases,this may be all that is needed to figure out the cause. Further testing isoften needed, however.

Blood tests are commonly done to help check for salt orhormone imbalances, liver disease, and many other conditions. Urinetesting can help rule out an infection or kidney problem. A chest X-raycan be done to look for lung conditions, such as pneumonia.Other tests may be needed in some cases. For example, a cranial CT scancan be done to look for a stroke or brain tumor.

Prevention & Expectations

What can be done to prevent the symptom?

Prevention is related to the cause of the confusion. For example,avoiding certain drugs can prevent the confusion that can be caused bythem. Wearing a helmet when riding a bike or motorcycle and followingsports safety guidelines for children,adolescents,and adultscan help prevent head injuries. However, many causes cannot be prevented.

What are the long-term effects of the symptom?

Long-term effects are related to the cause of the confusion.For example, confusion caused by an infection often goes away oncethe person gets over the infection. An individual withcanceror chronic liver disease often dies from those conditions. In some people,confusion may get worse over time and become permanent, such as inAlzheimer disease,alcoholism,or AIDS.

What are the risks to others?

Confusion itself is not catching and poses no risk to others.If confusion is the result of an infection, the infection may be contagious.

Treatment & Monitoring

What are the treatments for the symptom?

Treatment is directed at the cause of the confusion.

A person who develops confusion while in the hospital may simply needsomeone to reorient him or her to the time and place.

An individual with low blood sugar may need to drink a sweet drink or eat asnack.

A person who formerly used drugs usually gets better when thedrug is stopped.

An individual with an infection may need antibiotics.

A person with kidney failure may need dialysis, which is aprocedure that filters the blood when the kidneys don’t work.

Someone with cancer may need chemotherapy,radiation therapy,or surgery.

What are the side effects of the treatments?

All medicines have possible side effects. For example,antibiotics may cause allergic reactionsor stomach upset. Surgery carries a risk of bleeding, infection, andallergic reactionto the anesthesia.

What happens after treatment for the symptom?

In many cases, confusion goes away when the cause is treated.In other cases, confusion may be a sign of more serious disease. Somecauses of confusion such as strokeand Alzheimer diseasemay cause permanent brain damage and problems with brain function.

How is the symptom monitored?

A confused person should not be left alone. Other monitoringdepends on the underlying cause. For example, those who have had astroke often need close monitoring in an intensive care unitfor awhile. Any new or worsening symptoms should be reported to the doctor.

Article type: xmedgeneral