Altered mental status (confusion)

Description

Change in perception of the environment in the mind of the person and /or mental functioning damage. It should treat causes, such as: infection, side effect of medicine, very high or low level of sugar in the blood, low level of oxygen, electrolyte disbalance in the blood.

Symptoms

Altered thinking, difficult concentration, weard behavior, excessive sleepiness, lethargy.

Overview

Anamnesis is being taken and physical examination is being done. Tests may include:complete blood count, level of glucose, hemoculture and urine culture in order to determine the infection.CT scan or magnetic resonance of endocranium are usually done.

Tests

Complete blood count (CBC), biochemical blood analysis, CT scan,D-Dimer, electrocardiogram (EKG), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), pregnancy test (beta-HCG), troponin,urine analysis and X-rays.

Additional analyses

Toxicological screening, ethanol level analysis, aspirine level analysis.

Specialists

Internal Medicine, Neurology

Therapy

The objective of the therapy is first to secure vital functions of the organism. This frequently includes intravenous fluids and inclusion of oxygen, if needed. Also, it should start with treatment and removal of problems that lead to this condition (altered mental status). It is also important to protect the patient from self-injuring.