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Confusion of consciousness

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Confusion is a vast concept that often includes many subspecies of obscurity of consciousness and is sort of a collectible name. But the confusion of consciousness itself is the most inherent in asthenia. Most often this condition develops when a person is weakened after illness or any mental, labor overstrain. In the event that a person has some kind of nervous weakness as a natural tendency to this, this state can also be provoked. Its dangerous consequences vary depending on the severity, but this is a signal about individual mental problems or gaps. More common value of confusion is often used, for example, in the difficulties of diagnosing a particular condition that can appear in a person.

Confusion - what is it?

In general, all disturbances of consciousness are combined into two huge groups: unproductive, with disconnection of consciousness, and productive, with confusion of consciousness. Confusion is in some way a transitional state, while there is not always an opportunity to observe psycho products, but this state rarely happens on its own. At some point there will necessarily come a certain resolution of the situation of confusion and depends on the main pathology to the greatest extent. Some patients are able to gradually "boot", falling into a state of shutdown, and others on the contrary, gradually getting excited, unite confusion with other more dangerous psycho-productive obscurations of consciousness, amenity, delirium. Depending on what is more afflicted and which pathology is the root cause, different specialists deal with this person, in the first case there are more neurologists and even resuscitators, but in the latter there are psychiatrists. When the doctor uses the term confusion, he emphasizes problems with attention in the person, as well as a decrease in the process of wakefulness and violation of mental consistency. Characteristic is also a cognitive decline, mostly temporary, but affecting several mental spheres.

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Confusion in asthenia is a condition accompanied by a flicker of clarity of consciousness, expressed by the exhaustion of psychoneuron processes, deepening of obscuration by the evening. This condition is not produced from nowhere, it progresses along with the underlying disease that caused it.

Confusion is often used as a cumulative expression of obscurations of consciousness, but in fact, confusion turns into amenity or delirium. But if you evaluate in general, then all these states can really be called confusion. For a better understanding of the term "confusion", it is worth considering all the components included in it. So, delirium is a nonspecific organic cerebral syndrome, which is accompanied by a confusion of consciousness with experiences of illusory and hallucinatory composition. Amenia is the most severe form of obscuration of consciousness, manifested by a pronounced confusion, incoherence of associations, inability to assess the situation. All these states pass between themselves depending on the severity of pathological manifestations, while the time of day mainly affects the person's condition.

To diagnose confusion, it is important to understand the criteria for clarity of consciousness according to Jaspers. The disturbed consciousness can be considered when the person is alienated from the environment, disoriented, the person forgets the period of the disturbed consciousness. But each subtype of infringement has the features in all these infringements. So, with confusion of consciousness without any more aggravating accompanying, amnesia, if there is, then incomplete. Disorientation, mostly temporary and in the location, while the knowledge of their own person is preserved. If we talk about delirium in the structure of confusion, then there is already more pronounced amnesia, memories that appeared under the influence of psychoactive symptoms are well preserved, but the real events of that period were forgotten. Well, the most serious manifestation is amenia, in which amnesia is expressed completely for the entire period of obscuration, there is also a significant spatial disorientation with a violation of orientation in one's own personality.

The most common way to use this term is when there is no darkening of consciousness, but there is no clear consciousness either. Confusion can be diverse with its own manifestations, depend on the underlying causes and from the person himself, namely:

- Confusion of consciousness hallucinatory is characteristic for verbal hallucinosis.

- Catatonic confusion of consciousness is manifested during catatonic excitation.

- Confusional confusion is present in the presence of memory problems.

- Maniacal confusion is formed by the expressive course of manic syndrome, in a state of extreme arousal.

- Vascular confusion of consciousness is characteristic of vascular pathologies.

- Confusion in the elderly is confusion in the old age.

- Reactive confusion is also accompanied by confusion, disorientation and lack of understanding.

Consciousness confusion: causes of

This condition can not be attributed to very specific or signaling about a certain group of pathologies, but if it appeared, then awareness of its danger is important. Hence, the person clearly has some problems of the neurological group. This group can also include traumatic, brain injury with loss of consciousness is often capable of leading to confusion, especially with a picture of penetrating trauma. Often, even a brain injury can lead to a state of confusion due to the sensitivity of the brain tissue. Subarachnoid hemorrhages do not always cause injury, more often an aneurysm rupture in the brain, which, in addition to confusion, is characterized by a number of dangerous manifestations. Many neurological pathologies: Alzheimer's disease, multiple sclerosis, are also accompanied by confusion.

Toxic effects can also often act with the effect of confusion, lead poisoning, mercury, narcotic drugs and alcohol can lead to this condition. A variety of military neurotropic gases, as well as phosphorus compounds and other neurotoxins, often provoke this condition. In some cases, even some products can be considered neurotoxins, for example, carambola, fugu fish, fish stone and rambutan.

Diseases with severe intoxication and especially hyperthermia: influenza, colds, ARI, measles, rubella, chickenpox, tonsillitis, meningitis also lead to confusion with delirium, especially in young adults. Fractures, massive hemorrhage and multiple injuries also give rise to the risk of developing such conditions. Encephalitis, caused mainly by viral nature, herpes, lime borreliosis also leads to confusion states. Tuberculosis and syphilis, especially when they reach the brainstem, also lead to irreversible consequences.

Various neoplastic manifestations and not only those associated with the brain tissue also lead to this condition. After all, tumors are always intoxication, and in severe stages confusion is inevitable, as is the risk of metastasis. And not only classical tumors, but all kinds of leukemias are dangerous.

All states with the presence of pathology of the circulation with its violation also often provoke confusion. It can be, as serious infringement, for example a stroke, and less dangerous, but signaling about presence of a problem, transient, that is passing without leaving a trace, ischemic attacks. Confusion of consciousness in combination with such manifestations is always present, but its severity and the depth of the symptomatology is highly dependent on the severity of the lesion and the severity of the underlying pathology.

Confusion in myocardial infarction is also a very characteristic condition belonging to this group. In this case, it is provoked due to problems with blood circulation and severe pain sensitivity.

Confusion of consciousness in the VSD is also a very characteristic pathology, which brings considerable dyscomfort. This problem is associated with a violation of the innervation of individual vascular spaces and pathology in the normal work of vegetation. All this, depending on the subspecies, leads to different symptoms, but the accompanying confusion of mild degree is inevitable.

The manifestation of a degenerative disease, Alzheimer's disease, Pick, marasmus of any etiology, senile or vascular dementia also has confusion in its structure, and it is combined not only with approximate impairments, but also with difficulties in brain activity. Confusion at the expressed stages reaches or achieves a serious degree and can even be with the expressed psychoproduction.

Metabolic disorders, encephalopathies, fungal poisoning, acute complications of diabetes mellitus, especially hypoglycemia, can also lead to such difficulties. Because of confusion, the person is not able to navigate and quickly finds lethal "adventures."Excess fluid and some electrolytes can also lead to similar consequences. The lack of vitamins, like hypothermia, can also have similar outcomes.

Not only intoxication disorders, for example alcohol intoxication, but withdrawal symptoms can have a leading role in confusion. And, not necessarily alcoholic genesis, possibly narcotic, toxic or medicamentous. But the most common alcoholic confusion of consciousness, which later turns into delirium.

Severe hepatitis, like the final stages of AIDS, also lead to confusion. Deprivation of sleep, especially in emotionally labile individuals, as well as severe emotional upheaval also become a trigger in many similar problems.

Confusion: symptoms and signs

Confusion is a characteristic manifestation, specific for a variety of pathologies.

Confusion is manifested in different individuals individually and depends on the degree of intoxication or other causes that caused it. Person is difficult to think, so thinking slows down, mainly with a violation of the sequence of these processes. In addition to mental disorders, disorientation is always observed, mostly allopsychic, that is, in place and in time, but autopsychic is also possible, even when one's own personality becomes a mystery. You do not need to be a doctor to check the presence of this symptomatology, as the mental inconsistency and slowness are seen in a normal conversation. Well and to check orientation, it is enough to ask the person will be presented, and also to specify, where it is and what date now. If a person calls himself right, the autopsychic orientation is correct and this is a favorable sign. But to check it you need to have a document of a person or some of her acquaintances nearby who could confirm the identity of the victim. Well, time and place can even be checked by a child, and with the correct indication of these data by a person we are talking about the correct allopsychic orientation.

When consciousness is indicated, then the term confused is used, that is, consciousness is no longer clear, and this is a factor that it is important to pay attention to when rendering assistance. Attention is greatly weakened, that is, such a person is not able to support the conversation, especially for a long time, very soon it is exhausted and stops responding to questions. Adoption of the least difficult decisions in this state is problematic, even they are often not able to give a decision for hospitalization, then it is better to make hospitalization according to the indications of the condition.

Depending on the original cause, other characteristics may be mixed. Confusion of consciousness is accompanied by a pronounced vegetative with moderate pain manifestations. Often, people with a different special somatotype and they are quite easy to distinguish. Confusion of consciousness in case of a heart attack is always accompanied, in addition to the expressive pain syndrome described, which, in especially severe cases, can shock a person. Metabolic causes also have additional symptoms in the form of extraneous odors or specific manifestations.

Mental confusion in the elderly is more chronic and they partially adapt to it, in addition to the disorientation there are also pathognomonic senile disorders, such as a decrease in brain volume and cachexia. Confusion in the elderly is a prognostically unfavorable sign that indicates significant mental disorders. Depending on the reasons, this state can be transient or vice versa. If it is long, you can suspect dementia with a negative outcome. Speech in such persons also has a specific color, it is slow and not always consistent, often there may be sketchy "inconsistencies".Sometimes speech-motor excitement with illegibility of speech and some unpredictability of this personality is possible. The mood of these people can be very changeable and difficult to predict, so you need to be cautious about these people. In severe forms, confusion manifests itself with psycho products. Then in the speech of the patient, fragmentary delusions sound. Often there can be illusory images, which later flow into hallucinatory ones. The sleep pattern also basically changes, but at the same time it can lead to complete insomnia or more often to expressive drowsiness.

In addition to the classic survey, a wide range of neurological and psychiatric questionnaires are used for diagnosis: the Glasgow coma and the MMSE.Well, if the cause is organic pathology, then it is important to conduct MRI and laboratory tests: blood test, urine, biochemistry, bacteriological analysis. All this helps to identify the root cause. All poisonings have additional symptoms, depending on the substance, as well as intoxication confusion. Alcohol abstinence is more typical of delirious experiences with bright imaginative hallucinations.

Confusion: treatment

Depends on the underlying causes of confusion, treatment is very rife. In case of traumatic pathologies, it is important to identify and correctly treat in time, often with neurosurgery. With ischemic stroke, thrombolytics, such as Alteplase and Tenteplase, with hemorrhagic stroke, an operation to remove the hematoma. It is important to remember that a person with confused consciousness is able to bring troubles to others and harm themselves, so it is very important to keep the patient in a safe place. With the action of toxins, especially heavy metals and radiation, it is necessary to use anti-radiation preparations of general action and Unithiol. Diseases with intoxication and hyperthermia in the structure of confusion are treated with antiviral: Groprinosine, Tamiflu, Oseltamivir, and also antipyretic: Nurofen, Imet, Ibuprofen, Paracetamol.

Confusion in myocardial infarction is stopped by an action on the main pathology with painkillers: Morphine, ACE inhibitors, beta adreno blockers, Propranolol, Atenolol. Confusion is corrected by the regimen and dietetics. Also suitable is the use of soothing chamomile and mint-melissa teas. Of the drugs used: Persen, Valerian, Corvalol.

If the medicine has become a trigger for confusion, then it is necessary to cancel it and correct all the violations caused by it. When meningitis and various serious diseases it is important to apply antibiotics: Penicillin, Bicillin, Ampicillin, Flemoclav. With tuberculosis: Rifampicin, Isoniazid, Etambutol, Streptomycin, Etaperezid.

If there are behavioral disorders, then psychiatric drugs are used tranquilizers or neuroleptics: loxapine, haloperidol, depending on the situation. But still, if possible, it's better to just limit the person for the time of confusion, and then just maintain it for a softer exit from this state. If a patient with senile dementia and has confusion in the structure, then some minor things in care are important. In the room there must be things that help the person to orient, according to the type of calendars and hours. This will help to remove anxiety and give these people a little confidence. It is also important to care for the patient with insomnia, it is better to leave the book and the light, so that the person could occupy himself with something. In the absence of efficacy to use sleeping pills: Azaleptil, Barbiturates, Chloralhydrate, Flurazepam, Klozepat, Oxazepam.

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