Confusion

Overview

Confusion, surprisingly, takes its place among the symptoms of more serious health conditions.The term confusion can be applied to different types of behavior or responses and is defined as an inability to think quickly and coherently. Depending on the cause of confusion and the age of the person who experiences this mental state, this symptom can crop up suddenly or gradually and could either be temporary or irreversible. In many cases, a person who goes through a difficult or an emotionally stressful time may feel a sense of confusion. This is described as an inability to grasp the situation, inability to make decisions, or even a general sense of uncertainty and fear.

However, severe confusion could be the consequence of a complicated state of dementia and Alzheimer's disease. It could be caused due to the general aging process. In such cases, confusion may also be displayed in terms of hallucinations and delirium. Dementia is characterized by a long term and progressive confusion, with general signs of deterioration of other cognitive functions such as remembering, processing, and simple memory processes.

In many cases, confusion is a symptom of a chemical imbalance in the body. Many other medical conditions that affect the cardiovascular, neurologic, metabolic, and cerebro-vascular issues could cause confusion. In addition, confusion is also a sign of drug abuse or alcohol abuse and can also be caused due to the toxins found in the environment.

Confusion arises in hospitalized patients and elderly people, who are confronted with new situations and events. Mild confusion is also associated with various heart conditions and early brain tumor or seizure issues. The signs and symptoms of confusion may include personality change, unusual behavior, as well as sensory and motor deficits. In many cases, observing the person who exhibits mild to moderate signs of confusion is important in gauging the severity of the state and assessing its progression. And this can be achieved by the family and friends of the person.

Confusion may also be the sign of the following disorders; memory loss, head trauma, inability to concentrate, and inability to respond to multiple questions at a time. In some cases, medications that cause changes in the sleeping, eating, and behavioral habits of a patient can cause confusion. It may also be a symptom of heatstroke, hypothermia, or an infection.

Some herbal remedies such as St. John's Wort can cause confusion, especially when it is taken along with antidepressant drugs. In addition, nutritional deficiency can also bring about a confused mind state. For example, an inadequate intake of niacin, vitamin B12, and thiamin may produce progressive states of confusion, as well as mental deterioration in many individuals. In cases of prolonged confusion, it is best schedule a visit to the physician to determine its cause.

Treatment

A confused person should not be left alone. They should be constantly reassured and reminded of their day-to-day activities, since constant treatment can bring about a phenomenal improvement in them. To help a person who suffers from confusion due to low blood sugar (for example, from diabetes medication), a sweet drink or a sweet snack should be provided. If the confusion lasts longer than 10 minutes, call the doctor.