FreeMD® Confusion Underlying Cause

Confusion

Underlying Cause

Confusion Underlying Cause

Causes of short-term episodes of confusion include:

Alcohol use
Drug side effect
Drug toxicity
Drug interactions
Head injury
Hyperglycemia
Hypoglycemia
Hyperthyroidism
Hypotension
Infection
Kidney failure
Liver failure
Medication side effects
Poisoning
Psychiatric illness
Respiratory failure
Seizures
Stroke

Causes of long-term confusion include:

Alcoholism
Alzheimer's disease
Vitamin B12 deficiency
Cancer
Drug abuse
Hydrocephalus
Lead poisoning
Malnutrition
Multiple sclerosis
Parkinson's disease
Senile dementia
Stroke

Continue to Confusion Anatomy

Related Conditions

Alzheimer's disease
Dementia
Hypoglycemia
Multiple sclerosis
Parkinson's disease
Seizures
Senile dementia
Stroke

Anxiety Checkup

Depression Checkup

Concussion Checkup

BP Checkup

Anxiety
Chronic headaches
Confusion
Headache
Head injury

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Last Updated: Apr 25, 2008 References

Authors: Stephen J. Schueler, MD; John H. Beckett, MD; D. Scott Gettings, MD

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Confusion References:

Cavaliere F, D'Ambrosio F, Volpe C, Masieri S. Postoperative delirium. Curr Drug Targets. 2005 Nov;6(7):807-14.
Lyons WL. Delirium in postacute and long-term care. J Am Med Dir Assoc. 2006 May;7(4):254-61. Epub 2006 Feb 3.
Turner S, Iliffe S, Downs M, Wilcock J, Bryans M, Levin E, Keady J, O'Carroll R. General practitioners' knowledge, confidence and attitudes in the diagnosis and management of dementia. Age Ageing. 2004 Sep;33(5):461-7.
Walker MP, Ayre GA, Cummings JL, Wesnes K, McKeith IG, O'Brien JT, Ballard CG. The Clinician Assessment of Fluctuation and the One Day Fluctuation Assessment Scale. Two methods to assess fluctuating confusion in dementia. Br J Psychiatry. 2000 Sep;177:252-6.
Woodrow P. Interventions for confusion and dementia. 4: Alternative approaches. Br J Nurs. 1998 Nov 12-25;7(20):1247-50.