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Confusion - Overview

Alternative Names

Disorientation; Thinking - unclear; Thoughts - cloudy

Definition of Confusion:

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

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)

Head trauma

Reviewed last on: 2/13/2008
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.

References

Leclerc S, Lassonde M, Delaney J S et al. Recommendations for grading of concussion in athletes. Sports Med. 2001; 31: 629-636.

Bazakis AM, Kunzler C. Altered Mental Status Due to Metabolic or Endocrine Disorders. Emer Med Clinics of North America. 2005; 23(3): 901-908.

Biem J. Out of the cold: management of hypothermia and frostbite. CMAJ. 2003; 168(3): 305-311.

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