Change in Mental Status with Confusions
Head | Neurology | Change in Mental Status with Confusions (Disease)
Description
Altered mental status refers to general changes in brain function, such as confusion, amnesia (memory loss), loss of alertness, loss of orientation (not self-conscious, time or place ), defects in the judgment or thinking, lack of emotion regulation, and disturbances in perception, psychomotor skills and behaviour.
Causes and risk factors
While an altered mental state is obviously characteristic of a number of psychiatric and emotional disorders, medical conditions and injuries that cause brain damage can also cause mental status changes. The confusion, lethargy, delirium, dementia, encephalopathy and organic brain syndrome are all terms that have been used to refer to conditions characterized by mental status changes.
Diagnosis and Treatment
The treatment for change in mental status with confusions mainly consists in doing therapy with specialised doctors. The goal of therapy is to reverse the offending problem, support the vital signs, and protect the patient from self harm. Treatment may include: oxygen, sedation, anti-nausea medications, mechanical intubation and intravenous fluids. If an infection is suspected antibiotics may be prescribed. ...