Confusion: Is this normal forgetfulness or a sign of a serious illness?

Do you sometimes feel like you're confused? You suddenly forget what you wanted to say, you can't remember why you went to a room, or it takes you a while to remember someone's name. These are small things that happen to us all the time. But in medicine, "confusion" refers to a slightly different, sometimes more serious condition. It's a symptom that indicates a problem with the way our brain is functioning. Today, we'll talk about the difference between this normal forgetfulness and the confusion that we really need to be concerned about.

What is Confusion? What are the things that confuse us?

In everyday life, we use the word "confusion" to refer to minor lapses. But in medicine, it has a much deeper meaning. Simply put, confusion is a disruption in our memory, thinking, attention, and awareness of the world around us.

Think about it, our brain is like a computer. Different parts of the brain are used for different tasks. Sometimes, several parts need to work together. Confusion occurs when these parts don't work properly.

You can easily understand this difference from the table below.

What are the possible causes of confusion?

Confusion can be caused by anything that disrupts the functioning of the brain. This means that there are a wide range of factors that can cause this. Sometimes, several factors can come together to cause this condition.

Here are some of the main reasons:

• Excessive drinking of alcohol .
• Excessively high blood sugar levels (Hyperglycemia) or excessively low blood sugar levels (Hypoglycemia).
• Bleeding in the brain .
• Brain cancer or other brain lesions.
• Dehydration (lack of water in the body).
• Electrolyte imbalances , for example, low sodium.
• Hormonal problems , especially thyroid disease (Hypothyroidism / Hyperthyroidism).
• Head injuries , especially concussions.
• Infections , especially diseases affecting the brain such as `Encephalitis`, `Meningitis`, and life-threatening infections such as `Sepsis`.
• A condition such as stroke causes blood flow to the brain to be disrupted.
• Lack of oxygen to the brain (Cerebral hypoxia).
• Use of certain medications or drugs .
• Mental illnesses , for example, conditions such as schizophrenia .
• Migraine .
• Neurological diseases such as Alzheimer's disease or dementia .
• Failure of major organs such as the liver or kidneys .
• Seizures , especially after a seizure.
• Carbon monoxideInhalation of toxic gases such as `(Carbon monoxide)` or ingestion of other toxins. In such cases, you can call the National Poison Information Center at the Colombo National Hospital for advice.

How is this condition treated?

In fact, doctors do not treat the symptom of Confusion, but the underlying medical condition that caused it.

If you or someone close to you has these symptoms, please do not self-medicate or try to do anything at home. Especially if this is something new, it is definitely best to see your doctor to find out the cause.

The doctor will conduct the necessary tests, find out what the cause is, and provide you with the most appropriate treatment for that disease.

What happens if left untreated?

Confusion is something that interferes with our ability to control what we think, do, and say. Therefore, a person with this condition may not realize that they have such a problem.

If left untreated, the following risks may occur:

• Behavioral changes: Sudden agitation, aggression, and therefore injury.
• Falls and accidents: Confusion increases the risk of falls and serious injuries.
• Inability to do one's own work: Over time, one may become unable to do things on their own and become dependent on others.
• Risk of other brain diseases: Confusion, especially after the age of 65, may increase the risk of developing diseases such as dementia later in life.
• Mental problems: Mental illnesses such as depression may occur.

Can confusion be avoided?

Confusion cannot be completely prevented, but we can reduce the risk of developing some of the conditions that cause it.

• Manage chronic diseases: If you have diseases like diabetes, high blood pressure, or epilepsy, follow your doctor's instructions and medications exactly.
• Wear safety gear: Head injuries are a major cause of this. So, wear a helmet when riding bicycles and motorcycles, and don't forget to wear a seat belt when riding in vehicles.
• Eat a balanced diet: A good diet helps prevent salt and nutritional deficiencies in the body.
• Be active: Exercising and maintaining a healthy weight can help prevent many diseases that affect the brain.
• Avoid drugs and alcohol:These directly affect brain function. Even the medications prescribed by a doctor should be taken in the exact dosage.

When should you see a doctor?

Also, if you or someone in your family is gradually starting to experience these symptoms of confusion, it's also a good idea to see a doctor. The sooner the cause is identified, the easier it is to treat.

Difference between Confusion and Delirium

You may have heard the word `Delirium`. `Delirium` is a more serious, specific condition than Confusion. It is usually something that can occur very quickly when the brain is under too much pressure due to an illness, accident, or other reason. The condition of a person with `Delirium` can change from hour to hour. Not all Confusion is `Delirium`, but `Delirium` is a more severe form of Confusion.

Confusion, Delirium, disorientation, brain fog