![]() ![]() It may also help to place a clock and wall calendar nearby. This might be a quiet room with good light and familiar people and objects. Here are some ideas:įind a reassuring environment. There are things that can be done to help the person feel more comfortable and less confused. It is important to work closely with the health care team to find a solution. Other treatments may be also be required. The doctor may recommend that the person with confusion or delirium stops taking certain medications or takes new medications to treat the underlying cause or to ease symptoms. How can mental confusion be treated?įinding the underlying cause of mental confusion and treating it is the most effective solution. Based on this medical history and exam, additional tests and scans may be recommended as well. How do doctors diagnose mental confusion?ĭoctors will take a comprehensive history and physical exam, including a neurological exam to diagnose mental confusion. These include lung or heart problems, blood clots, and sleep problems. Health problems that cause low levels of oxygen in the blood can cause mental confusion. Sepsis is a life-threatening condition that happens when an infection spreads to your bloodstream. ![]() Bladder, lung (pneumonia), brain, and blood infections (sepsis) can cause mental confusion and delirium. Too much or too little sugar in the blood. Heart, kidney, or liver failure can cause this. Diarrhea and urinating a lot can also cause dehydration. This might happen if you are nauseated, vomiting, or having trouble swallowing. Too much of the mineral calcium in the blood.ĭehydration. Things that can upset the balance include: Having much more or much less than normal can cause mental confusion. The balance of fluids and minerals called electrolytes keeps your brain and body working correctly. Problems with fluid and electrolyte balance. Seizures or cancer that has spread to the brain can cause delirium. These can include the liver, kidneys, heart, or lungs. Mental confusion or delirium can happen if certain organs are not working correctly. Medications that can cause mental confusion include:Ī person may develop confusion or delirium if they suddenly stop taking certain medications, especially if they have previously been taking these medications for a prolonged period. Finding the cause is important so their doctor can choose the best treatment. This is especially true if a person is weak or very sick. Mental confusion may have more than 1 cause. Seeing things that others do not (hallucinating) or believing things that are not really happening (delusions) Personality changes, restlessness, anxiety, depression, or irritability Mixing up day and night and difficulty sleeping Not knowing where they are, what day it is, or other facts Speech and thoughts that do not make sense Trouble remembering things, writing, or finding words The main symptom is a change in general awareness and consciousness. What are the symptoms of mental confusion? More than 2 in every 3 people who have mental confusion go back and forth between types. Mixed mental confusion is the most common. A combination of hypoactive and hyperactive confusion. Acting sleepy or withdrawn and "out of it." How does someone with mental confusion act? It may also make it harder for the health care team to care for other symptoms. The condition can be difficult and stressful for the person affected as well as their loved ones. A person with mental confusion will think and act very differently from normal. It is a common problem for people with any advanced illness including advanced cancer or those at the end of life. Who gets mental confusion or delirium?Ĭonfusion is the most common sign that cancer or treatment is affecting the brain. The person will not recognize this change in themselves and is most often noted by family members or medical providers. A person with confusion or delirium might suddenly get very sleepy and unaware of their surroundings or act very upset and nervous. The main signs of mental confusion or delirium are sudden changes in awareness. Confusion affects how a person thinks, sees the world around them, and remembers things. Mental confusion, also called delirium, is a change in a person’s awareness. ![]()
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