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'''Mental Confusion''' or '''Decreased Alertness''' is the inability to think clearly and quickly; put simply, feeling things just are not right. When confused, one has difficulty paying attention and may feel [[dizziness|dizzy]]. Confusion interferes with ones ability to make decisions clearly and correctly. Many health problems cause confusion or decreased alertness. It is not unusual for a person who is sick to be sleepy or confused upon awakening. However, extreme sleepiness may be a symptom of a more serious health problem. Decreased alertness may occur when a person is not fully awake, aware of, or able to respond normally to his or her external environment. Decreased alertness may also indicate that a chronic [[illness]] has gotten worse.
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'''Mental confusion''' or '''decreased alertness''' is the inability to think clearly and quickly. When confused, one has difficulty [[concentration]], paying [[attention]] and may feel [[dizziness|dizzy]] or [[depersonalized]]. Confusion interferes with ones [[ability to make decisions]] clearly and correctly. Many health problems cause confusion or decreased alertness. Decreased alertness may occur when a person is not fully awake, aware of, or able to respond normally to his or her external environment. Decreased alertness may also indicate that a chronic [[illness]] has worsened.
   
 
== Causes ==
 
== Causes ==
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* Low level of [[oxygen]]
 
* Low level of [[oxygen]]
 
* [[Medication]]s
 
* [[Medication]]s
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* [[Psychosis]]
 
* Lack of [[sleep]]
 
* Lack of [[sleep]]
 
 
* [[Illness]]
 
* [[Illness]]
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** [[Dementia]]
 
** [[Infection]]s
 
** [[Infection]]s
 
** [[Brain tumor]]
 
** [[Brain tumor]]
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[[Category:Neurology]]
 
[[Category:Neurology]]
 
[[Category:Psychiatry]]
 
[[Category:Psychiatry]]
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[[Category:Thought disturbances]]
   
 
{{enWP| Mental confusion}}
 
{{enWP| Mental confusion}}

Latest revision as of 07:49, 24 July 2010

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Name of Symptom/Sign:
Confusion NOS
[[Image:{{{Image}}}|190px|center|]]
ICD-10 R41.0
ICD-O: {{{ICDO}}}
ICD-9
OMIM {{{OMIM}}}
MedlinePlus {{{MedlinePlus}}}
eMedicine {{{eMedicineSubj}}}/{{{eMedicineTopic}}}
DiseasesDB {{{DiseasesDB}}}

Mental confusion or decreased alertness is the inability to think clearly and quickly. When confused, one has difficulty concentration, paying attention and may feel dizzy or depersonalized. Confusion interferes with ones ability to make decisions clearly and correctly. Many health problems cause confusion or decreased alertness. Decreased alertness may occur when a person is not fully awake, aware of, or able to respond normally to his or her external environment. Decreased alertness may also indicate that a chronic illness has worsened.

Causes


Symptoms

Confusion may range from mild to severe. Symptoms of confusion may include:

Cures

Although it is not an actual cure, time, a walk in the park, or meditation can alleviate the symptoms of confusion. However, methods of curing more serious episodes of confusion must be determined by a doctor.


See also


External links

This page uses Creative Commons Licensed content from Wikipedia (view authors).
  1. Frackelton JP, Christensen, RL (1998). Mercury Poisoning and Its Potential Impact on Hormone Regulation and Aging: Preliminary Clinical Observations Using a New Therapeutic Approach. Journal of Advancement in Medicine 11 (1): 9-25.