Confusion

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Head trauma

Overview	Treatment

Confusion

Definition

Confusion is the inability to think with your usual speed or clarity. When confused, you have difficulty focusing your attention and may feel disoriented. Confusion interferes with your ability to make decisions.

Alternative Names

Disorientation; Thinking - unclear; Thoughts - cloudy

Considerations

Confusion may come on suddenly or gradually over time, depending on the cause. Some confused people may behave aggressively.

Many times, confusion is temporary. Other times it is permanent and not curable. Confusion is more common in the elderly, and often occurs during hospitalization.

Causes

Confusion may be caused by:

Alcohol intoxication
Low blood sugar
Head trauma or head injury
Concussion
Fluid and electrolyte imbalance
Nutritional deficiencies, particularly niacin , thiamine, Vitamin C, or Vitamin B-12
Fever
Sudden drop in body temperature (hypothermia)
Low levels of oxygen (for example, from chronic lung disorders)
Medications
Infections
Brain tumor
Illness in an elderly person
Sleep deprivation
Seizures

Review Date: 5/28/2004
Reviewed By: Jacqueline A. Hart, M.D., Senior Medical Editor, A.D.A.M., Inc. Galit Kleiner-Fisman MD, FRCPC, Department of Neurology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network (1/17/2001).

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