Confused consciousness. Quantitative and qualitative disturbances of consciousness: twilight stupefaction, stupor and others. In older people

Violations mental state person is a serious symptom that requires close attention and adequate timely correction. Such a violation may indicate the development of many conditions, including life-threatening ones. Accordingly, the development of such problems is a reason to immediately seek medical help. Let's talk on this page www.rasteniya-lecarstvennie.ru about the features of such a disorder as confusion in a little more detail, consider its treatment, possible symptoms and reasons.

How confusion manifests itself (symptoms)

Confusion can be described as an inability to think at normal, habitual speed and with adequate speed. thought process in the brain. This pathological condition may be accompanied by a feeling of disorientation, decreased attention, impaired attention and difficulty making decisions.

Confusion can occur quickly or slowly, or over a long period of time, depending on the cause of the disorder. Quite often, such confusion is temporary. In other cases, it is considered permanent and at the same time incurable; most often, such a disorder is associated with delirium or dementia.

Confusion most often manifests itself as slurred speech or long pauses in speech. The patient may experience disorientation regarding location or time. A person may simply lose the essence of the task while trying to complete it. One of the classic examples of confusion is sudden changes in mood, such as the sudden onset of anxiety. Patients become inattentive and cannot maintain a conversation for a long time.

Sometimes the described symptoms are supplemented by more serious manifestations, including illusions, hallucinations, and excessive drowsiness.

About why confusion occurs (reasons in different life situations)

Confusion can occur in a variety of life situations. Sometimes this disorder is provoked by alcohol intoxication of the body. In addition, it can be caused by tumor lesions of the brain, concussions, and increased body temperature. Confusion can develop due to electrolyte imbalance, head trauma and traumatic brain injury. Often such symptoms occur in older people with corresponding age-related changes, and with existing neurological ailments, for example, stroke.

In some cases, confusion develops against the background infectious lesions, prolonged sleep deficiency, with a decrease in blood sugar and low oxygen levels (for example, with chronic lung diseases).

In certain situations, such symptoms are provoked by taking medicines and serious nutritional deficiencies, primarily niacin, thiamine, vitamin C and vitamin B12. Consciousness may still be impaired when sharp decline body temperature indicators, for example, with hypothermia, etc.

About how confusion is corrected (treatment)

Treatment for confusion depends solely on the reasons for the development of this condition. Sometimes such provoking factors can be identified and corrected on your own, this applies to reducing the amount of sugar in the blood, electrolyte imbalance, alcohol intoxication, etc.

So, if your blood sugar level is low, you should drink sweet tea or eat candy. If there has been a significant loss of fluid from the body, rehydration therapy should be carried out using special solutions that can be purchased at any pharmacy (for example, Regidron, etc.). In case of alcohol intoxication, you should use absorbents and drink more fluids (or the same Regidron).

If confusion is caused sharp increase temperature, it is worth bringing it down with improvised means - take antipyretics and wipe the patient with cool water (you can use dissolved vinegar). If the temperature does not drop, you need to urgently call a doctor. A sudden decrease in body temperature also requires consultation with a doctor and appropriate correction.

Changes in consciousness caused by head injuries deserve special attention. They require immediate consultation with a specialist or calling an ambulance. In such conditions, the patient must observe bed rest and accept many medications.

Tumor formations are treated depending on their nature and location. Shown to someone surgery, and for some, taking medications to relieve symptoms.

Shortage nutrients quite easy to correct. The missing elements are administered to the patient intravenously, intramuscularly or orally. However, with such a disorder, it is very important to find out which factor caused hypovitaminosis and eliminate it.

If disturbances of consciousness occur due to a constant lack of sleep, the patient needs to quickly optimize his daily routine. A variety of medications can be used to combat insomnia, from mild herbal sedatives to tranquilizers.

If confusion is the result age-related changes, then maintenance therapy is carried out using nootropic drugs, drugs for the cardiovascular system, etc.

Confusion is a serious reason to consult a doctor, and sometimes to immediately call an ambulance.

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Confusion: Symptoms, Causes and Treatment

Confused is generally understood as a state of consciousness in which the ability to think at normal speed is lost and the clarity and consistency of thoughts are disrupted. This name summarizes a whole group of injuries in the complex functioning of the brain. Let's take a closer look at the concept of “confused consciousness.”

Symptoms of the disease

The first signs to detect confusion are problems with attention and orientation. Then memory and logical thinking disorders may begin to appear. The disorder does not necessarily affect all higher mental functions at once; only one of them, for example, speech recognition, may be damaged. There may be problems with memory or spatial orientation. In such cases, the diseases are respectively called aphasia, dementia and agnosia.

Fast and slow manifestation of the syndrome

The onset of confusion syndrome can be either fast or slow, depending on the causes that cause it. Often it is temporary, but it can also be permanent, usually associated with dementia and delirium.

Individuals with confusion are usually very silent, move little and appear depressed. It happens that the disease is accompanied by illusions and hallucinations. If the former arise due to incorrect interpretation of stimuli, then the latter appear without them at all.

It must be understood that confusion manifests itself individually in everyone, depending on the degree of intoxication or the severity of another cause. Slowness and inconsistency of thinking are clearly visible in conversation, and these are the first symptoms accompanying the diagnosis of “confusion.” Therefore, in order to see the presence of a problem, you do not need to be a professional.

Disorientation, its varieties

Disorientation can be either allopsychic, in which a person is unable to name the date and place in which he is now, or autopsychic, in which his own identification becomes difficult. It is also easy to determine the presence of disorientation by asking a couple of questions. Based on the answers, the result is obvious - the consciousness is clear; if it’s confused, it means it’s time to get professional help. You should consult a psychiatrist or narcologist.

When providing assistance, it is necessary to pay sufficient attention to the meaning of the word “confused.” A person in such a situation really experiences difficulties in making decisions, including those regarding consent to hospitalization, so often in such cases there is a need to carry it out based on the indications of the condition.

Dependence on the root cause

Root causes often cause manifestations characteristic features. With VSD, obvious vegetation and moderate painful sensations, during a heart attack pain syndrome strongly expressed and sometimes capable of causing state of shock. Metabolic causes are usually accompanied by various characteristic manifestations, such as odors.

In older people

Confusion in older people is chronic, so they can partially develop an adaptation to it. If this condition lasts for a long time, it will most likely lead to a negative outcome. Speech in such cases is usually slow, there may be inconsistencies in it, sometimes delusional ideas can be seen, and illusory images may arise that turn into hallucinogenic ones. The mood of such people also often changes and is difficult to predict, so you should treat them with caution. Changes in sleep are also observed, and they can be diametrically opposed: from complete insomnia to excessive drowsiness.

Diagnostics

To make a diagnosis, both a classic survey and special neurological and psychiatric ones, for example the Glasgow Coma Scale, are used. And when organic diseases It is necessary to conduct a blood test, urine test, ECG and MRI. This will help identify the root cause and begin proper treatment.

Confused consciousness: causes of occurrence

This violation can manifest itself due to a number of completely various reasons. That is why it cannot be a signal of a certain pathology, but it is necessary to be aware of its danger and try to find the cause. One thing is clear: such a disease indicates that the patient has a neurological problem.

Let's consider the possible causes of confusion:

1. Traumatic. The disease can be a consequence of traumatic brain injuries, especially if they are penetrating in nature. Although sometimes a brain injury can cause similar problems due to the high sensitivity of brain tissue. Often the cause is aneurysms, characterized by a large number of dangerous manifestations.

2. Toxic. The cause of the disease can be poisoning with mercury, alcoholic beverages or drugs. In wartime, various neurotropic gases and organophosphorus substances were used as weapons that act in a similar way. Neurotoxins can be found in foods such as carambola and puffer fish. The occurrence of similar consequences of mushroom poisoning is also common.

3. Consequences of diseases. Diseases accompanied by severe intoxication of the body and hyperthermia (flu, sore throat, acute respiratory infections and others) sometimes lead to confusion. This is especially true for children and adolescents. The risk of such conditions arises from injuries, fractures and large blood losses. Tuberculosis and syphilis are other possible reasons. The cause may also be encephalitis, diabetes mellitus in acute form, severe hepatitis various types, end stages of AIDS.

4. Neoplastic manifestations, and not necessarily occurring in brain tissue. This is due to the fact that tumors are always accompanied by severe intoxication, so confusion in late-stage cancer becomes inevitable. The danger is posed not only by classical tumors, but also by leukemia. It appears in 15-30% of patients, and by the last weeks of life reaches 85%. It adds additional stress to the patient and his family and affects the symptoms and methods of cancer treatment, including adjusting the effect on pain.

5. Blood circulation pathologies. Both serious disorders, such as stroke, and ischemia, which are considered transient, i.e. occurring without consequences and only being a signal of the presence of problems, often provoke confusion. The severity of the disease and the manifestation of symptoms will vary depending on the severity of the pathology that serves as the trigger. With myocardial infarction, confusion occurs due to problems with blood circulation and the severity of pain sensitivity.

6. Vegetovascular dystonia due to partial disturbances in the areas of blood vessels and the autonomic nervous system, it is also accompanied by mild confusion.

7. Summary of degenerative diseases. The manifestation may be severe at its peak senile dementia, marasmus of various origins, Alzheimer's disease. In this case it is caused by problems brain activity and problems with orientation.

The starting points for such processes can be a wide variety of situations of varying severity. For emotionally weak people, a strong emotional shock is enough. Even a lack of vitamins, hypothermia, and prolonged lack of sleep and oxygen can lead to similar consequences.

Treatment of confusion

To treat confusion, it is initially necessary to establish the cause of its occurrence and then eliminate it. Since some medications are often the cause, it is necessary to stop taking all medications until all metabolic disorders are corrected. The etiology of confusion is often determined quite easily due to specific symptoms, but sometimes you can help with this by performing a full examination of the body.

Alcohol as a reason

Sometimes you can determine the cause and correct the triggering factors yourself. This applies to alcohol intoxication and lowering blood sugar levels. If your sugar level drops, sweet tea or candy will help. If you lose a large amount of fluid, you should resort to rehydration therapy using products available at the pharmacy. Absorbents and a large number of liquids.

If the cause is an injury, it is important to identify and eliminate it in time. Sometimes this requires the use of neurosurgery. After an ischemic stroke, thrombolytics are used; for hemorrhagic stroke, surgical removal of the hematoma is practiced. Exposure to toxic substances, in particular heavy metals, and radiation exposure also require appropriate targeted treatment. Diseases accompanied by intoxication of the body and elevated temperature, are treated with the use of antiviral and antipyretic drugs. For VSD, the daily routine and diet are adjusted, and sedatives and teas are also used: chamomile, mint, lemon balm.

There are certain medications that can help get rid of the disease, but the most effective is maintaining a therapeutic and protective regimen. If the patient is in an excited state, beds with fences on the sides or a special chair are used. Sometimes doctors are forced to resort to fixing the patient, but it is advisable to avoid this, giving him the opportunity for unrestricted movement in a limited space.

Disorientation in time

If the illness is associated with time disorientation, it is important to ensure that there are things in the room that help you navigate: large calendars and clocks. This will reduce anxiety and help patients feel more confident. If you have insomnia, you should provide the patient with a radio or leave him a book and a lamp on, which will help occupy time. In general, it is important to communicate with the patient and support his faith in recovery. Confusion in cancer is alleviated in this way.

If such means do not have sufficient impact, resort to drug treatment, usually consisting of taking antipsychotics. At the same time, there is no exact information about the advantage of any drugs over others; the main parameter is the presence of a sedative effect. However, they cannot always be used. The medicine is first prescribed in a minimal dose, and then it is gradually increased, while observing the reaction that occurs. It is important that there is no manifestation of the opposite effect - an increase in behavioral disorders.

It is also difficult to restore the sleep-wake cycle. Sometimes, to improve night sleep, the patient is not allowed to fall asleep during the day. Sleeping pills rarely have the necessary effect and more often the cycle returns to normal only after the confusion has passed.

Confusion

Confusion is symptoms of a person's darkened consciousness, which can be short-term or long-lasting in nature, depending on the underlying factor. This condition can be a manifestation of both a somatic process and a psychological disorder or severe nervous shock. This symptom requires complex treatment under the supervision of a doctor.

Clinicians identify the following etiological factors that can lead to the development of this human condition:

drug intoxication;

psychological diseases;

encephalitis;

traumatic brain injury;

severe concussion;

vascular pathologies of the brain;

neurological disorders;

damage to the central nervous system;

metabolic disorders;

post-traumatic psychosis;

epileptic seizures;

Alzheimer's disease;

toxic poisoning;

severe intoxication of the body and heat bodies;

multiple sclerosis;

alcohol poisoning;

hidden internal bleeding;

myocardial infarction.

In some cases, confusion may occur due to poor circulation, especially with cervical osteochondrosis.

Classification

The following forms of this disorder are distinguished, depending on etiological factor and patient age:

hallucinatory;

manic;

catatonic;

confabulatory;

vascular.

A separate form of symptom is confusion in older people. In this case, the manifestation of such a disorder may not always be caused by one or another illness; the symptom may be a consequence of age-related changes.

Symptoms

Confusion may be accompanied by the following symptoms:

partial memory loss, in most cases short-term - a person may forget what he did or said a few minutes ago, periodically not recognize his relatives, passport details and other similar information;

the patient may forget all information about himself;

disorientation;

sudden mood swings - a state of complete peace can be replaced by sharp aggression even towards close people;

slow and inconsistent speech;

uncontrolled urine output and defecation;

sleep disturbance.

With cervical osteochondrosis, the above-described clinical picture can be supplemented by the following signs:

pain in the heart and chest area;

increased sweating;

motor dysfunction;

weakening of muscle tone.

If the confused consciousness is due to hidden internal bleeding(most often intestinal), then the clinical picture can be supplemented by the following signs:

Confusion in a psychological disorder may be accompanied by the following additional symptoms:

inappropriate behavior;

attacks of aggression;

sleep disturbance, insomnia;

incorrect interpretation of the actions of others;

an unreasonable feeling of fear.

In this condition of the patient, you should urgently call medical care. The above-described clinical manifestations cannot be ignored, as this is fraught with the development of serious complications. In this case, death should not be ruled out, since a person in such a state is not responsible for his actions.

If you are confused, you should consult a therapist. After the initial examination, the doctor, if necessary, will refer the patient to a psychiatrist or carry out further treatment together.

An initial examination of the patient with anamnesis is required. The conversation with the patient should take place together with a loved one who can specifically answer some of the doctor’s questions.

To determine the root cause factor, the following laboratory and instrumental examination methods may be prescribed:

blood sampling for general and biochemical analysis;
general urine analysis;
Ultrasound of internal organs;
Dopplerography of blood vessels;
consultation with a psychiatrist.

In any case, no matter what the supposed etiological cause of the violation of a person’s clarity of consciousness, consultation with a psychiatrist, even for preventive purposes, is mandatory.

If confusion is a sign of a serious pathological process, and not a short-term symptom such as post-traumatic psychosis, then hospitalization is required. If possible, someone close to you should stay with the patient.

If the patient is in a state of agitation, the doctor may prescribe the following medications:

The drugs are administered intramuscularly, starting with a minimum dose. You cannot use such medications on your own, as this can lead not only to irreversible pathological processes, but also to death.

In addition to medication therapy, the patient needs to be provided with complete rest. Since in this state a person is not responsible for his actions, he needs care, including in terms of hygiene.

Duration of treatment and basic therapy individual. There is no general treatment program for this symptom. You cannot make adjustments to the course of treatment yourself, even if you feel better.

There are no preventive measures. As a basis, we can take preventive recommendations regarding diseases that relate to etiological factors.

“Confusion of consciousness” is observed in diseases:

Anaerobic infection is a disease of a bacteriological nature, caused by the growth and reproduction of bacteria without access to oxygen or with an acute lack of it. The causative agent is anaerobic bacteria. Their toxins penetrate into the body and are considered very dangerous. Bacteria mainly affect muscle and connective tissue. Patients more often develop symptoms of body poisoning than local signs. In women, this pathology occurs due to an incorrectly performed abortion or severe injuries to the genital organs.

Asthma - chronic illness, which is characterized by short-term attacks of suffocation caused by spasms in the bronchi and swelling of the mucous membrane. This disease has no specific risk group or age restrictions. But, as it shows medical practice, women suffer from asthma 2 times more often. According to official data, today there are more than 300 million people living with asthma in the world. The first symptoms of the disease most often appear in childhood. Elderly people suffer from the disease much more difficult.

Acidosis is a condition of the body that occurs as a result of certain etiological factors and is characterized by a violation of the acid-base balance. This disorder can occur in both adults and children. Metabolic acidosis, like other forms of this pathological process, can lead not only to complications, but also to death. Therefore, self-medication is unacceptable - you need to seek medical help.

Bradycardia is a type of pathology in which the sinus rhythm, controlled by the sinus node, that is, the direct “driver” of the rhythm. Bradycardia, the symptoms of which are a decrease in heart rate (within 30-50 beats/min), is defined as sinus bradycardia with reduced automaticity in the sinus node.

Pneumonia (officially pneumonia) is an inflammatory process in one or both respiratory organs, which is usually infectious in nature and is caused by various viruses, bacteria and fungi. In ancient times, this disease was considered one of the most dangerous, and although modern means Treatments allow you to get rid of the infection quickly and without consequences; the disease has not lost its relevance. According to official data, in our country every year about a million people suffer from pneumonia in one form or another.

Brain hematoma (intracranial hematoma) is a pathological process in which, as a result of injury, blood accumulates in the injured cavity. Along the way, vascular injury occurs. It should be noted that such injury in adults or children can be localized in any area of the brain. This type of injury is extremely life-threatening, so you should immediately seek medical help.

Hypercalcemia is defined as a disease characterized by a high concentration of calcium in the blood, in which its levels exceed 2.6 mmol/l. Hypercalcemia, the symptoms of which may often be completely absent in the patient, is detected through a blood test. As for the main cause of its occurrence, it is usually determined based on questioning the patient regarding the medications and nutrition he uses. Meanwhile, determining the causes of hypercalcemia mainly comes down to X-ray examinations and laboratory tests.

Hypomagnesemia is a pathological condition that is characterized by a decrease in the level of magnesium in the body under the influence of various etiological factors. This, in turn, leads to the progression of severe pathologies, including neurological and cardiovascular ones.

Hypothermia is a pathological decrease in central body temperature in men or women (including a newborn) to a level below 35 degrees. The condition is extremely dangerous for a person’s life (we are no longer talking about complications): if the person is not provided with medical assistance, death occurs.

Purulent meningitis is an acute inflammatory disease, which affects the soft membrane of the brain. Such dangerous disease can affect a person at almost any age. But most susceptible purulent meningitis people with a weakened immune system, who have previously suffered severe infectious or inflammatory diseases, or with head injuries. Premature babies are also at risk.

As is known, the respiratory function of the body is one of the main functions of the normal functioning of the body. A syndrome in which the balance of blood components is disturbed, or, to be more precise, the concentration of carbon dioxide greatly increases and the volume of oxygen decreases, is called “acute respiratory failure”, it can also develop into chronic form. How does the patient feel in this case, what symptoms may bother him, what are the signs and causes of this syndrome - read below. Also from our article you will learn about diagnostic methods and the most modern methods of treating this disease.

Gastrointestinal bleeding is the flow of blood from damaged vessels into the cavity of the organs that make up the digestive system. The main risk group for this disorder includes older people - from forty-five to sixty years old, but it is sometimes diagnosed in children. It is noteworthy that it occurs several times more often in men than in women.

Gastric bleeding is a pathological process that is characterized by the leakage of blood from damaged vessels of the stomach into the lumen of the organ. This clinical manifestation can be caused by both a gastroenterological disease and pathology of other organs or systems of the body, uncontrolled use heavy medications and trauma.

Malignant neuroleptic syndrome (syn. NMS) is a pathological condition that develops against the background long-term use psychotropic substances (neuroleptics or antipsychotics). It is noteworthy that the disease can develop even in completely healthy person who has been prescribed such medications for any reason.

Cardiogenic shock is a pathological process when the contractile function of the left ventricle fails, the blood supply to tissues and internal organs deteriorates, which often ends in human death.

Left-sided pneumonia is the rarest form of development of an infectious process in the lungs of the two existing varieties. Despite this, the disease poses a great threat to the patient's life. The main cause of the development of the disease is the pathological influence of pathogenic microorganisms, which penetrate into the left lung extremely rarely and often with a severe weakening of the immune system. In addition, doctors identify a large number of predisposing factors.

Meningism is a syndrome that manifests itself in infectious diseases, poisoning and traumatic brain injuries. It is characterized by irritation of the membranes of the brain. Some people confuse the problem with meningitis, but there is a difference in their clinical pictures. The symptoms of meningitis appear clearly and quite clearly.

Meningitis is infection, the course of which is characterized by extensive inflammation of the spinal cord and brain, its causative agents are various types viruses and bacteria. Meningitis, the symptoms of which appear depending on the specific type of pathogen, occurs either suddenly or within a few days from the moment of infection.

Meningitis is a severe pathological condition characterized by swelling of the brain and damage meninges. Meningitis most often occurs in children due to the anatomical and physiological characteristics of the body and immature immunity. The membranes of the brain and spinal cord become inflamed, but the brain cells themselves are not involved in the process. The disease is characterized by severe symptoms, and if treatment is not started in a timely manner, the disease can cause severe complications posing a threat to the child's life.

Metabolic acidosis is a pathological condition characterized by an imbalance in the acid-base balance in the blood. The disease develops against the background of poor oxidation of organic acids or their insufficient removal from the human body.

Dehydration is a process that occurs due to a large loss of fluid by the body, the volume of which is several times greater than the volume that a person consumes. As a result, the normal functioning of the body is disrupted. Often presents with fever, vomiting, diarrhea and increased sweating. Occurs most often in the hot season or when performing heavy physical activity with not too much fluid intake. Every person is susceptible to this disorder, regardless of gender and age, but according to statistics, children, people in the elderly age group, and people suffering from the chronic course of a particular disease are most often predisposed.

Arterial occlusion is an acute vascular insufficiency, which occurs when there is a blockage or blockage of blood vessels, as a result of which the delivery of blood to a particular organ is disrupted, which leads to malfunctions in its functioning.

A brain tumor is a disease characterized by cancerous damage to the meninges, nerve endings, and skull. This type of disease is very dangerous, because if it is started and the operation is not performed in time, then everything will lead to death.

acute respiratory infections (acute respiratory disease) is a group of diseases of viral or bacterial origin, characteristic feature which is the defeat of the upper respiratory tract, symptoms of general intoxication of the body. Respiratory infections affect people of all ages, from young children to the elderly. This group diseases manifest themselves seasonally - more often pathologies occur when the seasons change (in the autumn-winter period). It is important to take timely measures to prevent acute respiratory infections so as not to become infected in the midst of an epidemic.

Acute coronary syndrome is a pathological process in which the natural blood supply to the myocardium through the coronary arteries is disrupted or completely stopped. In this case, oxygen does not reach the heart muscle in a certain area, which can lead not only to a heart attack, but also to death.

A disease that is characterized by the formation of pulmonary insufficiency, presented in the form of a massive release of transudate from the capillaries into the pulmonary cavity and ultimately promoting infiltration of the alveoli, is called pulmonary edema. Speaking in simple words, pulmonary edema is a situation where fluid stagnates in the lungs and has leaked through the blood vessels. The disease is characterized as independent symptom and can be formed on the basis of other serious ailments of the body.

Focal pneumonia is an inflammatory-infectious disease that does not affect all of the lung tissue, but only a certain area of it. In this case, the formation of small-focal or large-focal inflammation occurs in the lobules of the lung. Pathology can be either independent or secondary. In the first case, the source is pathogenic bacteria, and in the second - the occurrence of other ailments that negatively affect the tissues of this organ.

Panic attack refers to attacks that begin suddenly in a person and are accompanied by intense fears with a number of characteristic symptoms. A panic attack, the symptoms of which are particularly expressed in increased heart rate, sweating, paleness, difficulty breathing and other manifestations, lasts no more than an hour, occurring on average up to three times a week.

Pancreatic necrosis of the pancreas is a dangerous and severe pathology in which the organ itself begins to actively digest its own cells. This, in turn, leads to certain areas of the gland becoming necrotic. This pathological process can provoke the progression of a purulent abscess. Pancreatic necrosis also negatively affects the functioning of other vital important organs. If timely and complete treatment is not carried out, this disease often leads to the death of the patient.

Peritonitis is an inflammatory disease that affects the peritoneum. This condition poses a huge danger to the body, since the result of such a pathology is a disruption in the functioning of all vital organs. Symptoms of peritonitis vary depending on the degree of the disease and its form: acute and chronic.

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With help physical exercise and abstinence, most people can do without medicine.

Disorientation is a condition in which a person loses the ability to think and act clearly and clearly. Depending on the type of disorientation, the patient loses the ability to recognize the place where he is and remember what happened to him. As a result, confusion arises, and the person can no longer make any decision on his own.

How does disorientation and confusion manifest?

A person in a state of disorientation is not able to realize his own personality, place of residence, time, social affiliation. Sometimes only one specific type of disorientation is noted, but in some cases a person exhibits a combination of the types of disorientation described above.

Early signs of confusion include orientation disorder , decreased attention . If this condition progresses, then the patient’s perception of the surrounding world and memory are gradually impaired, and later speech disorders occur. The patient does not recognize those who are next to him. Sometimes he has illusions – incorrect perception of what is happening around. As a rule, confusion leads to the fact that a person becomes silent, depressed, and moves very little.

Confusion in older people is characterized by a noticeable loss of orientation, confusion, and inability to act independently. Symptoms of confusion may appear gradually or suddenly. This syndrome can be either temporary (for example, patients periodically develop night disorientation ), and constant. Causes of confusion in older people can also be related to stress. It is important to consult a specialist in a timely manner, since proper treatment of confusion can slow down the development of the disease and delay the onset of progression.

Severe dizziness and confusion after anesthesia – a physiological phenomenon that disappears over time.

If confusion appears suddenly in a person and at the same time he has psychomotor hyperactivity and , then the patient is diagnosed delirium . Progressive and long-lasting confusion with gradual loss of a number of innate functions is defined as dementia.

General disorientation is also accompanied by autopsychic disorientation, which is characterized by various emotional disorders and disturbances in orientation in one’s personality.

gradually leads to a noticeable change in a person’s personality. A person who has emotional and moral disorientation cannot distinguish between bad and good deeds, good and evil inflicted on other people. Symptoms of disorientation can be expressed by apathy, indifference to what is happening around.

Personal disorientation is manifested by a violation of orientation in a person’s consciousness and self-awareness. Disorientation in time periodically occurs - the patient does not understand what period of the day or day of the week it is, and is confused about what happened just now and earlier.

The causes of disorientation in space, time, self, confusion are severe symptoms, indicating the development of diseases. Therefore, consulting a doctor in this case is necessary.

Why does disorientation and confusion occur?

Social disorientation manifests itself due to various reasons associated with diseases and pathological conditions. In children, this syndrome may be associated with sudden changes in life, for example, the beginning of visiting kindergarten, schools.

In young children, the manifestation of social disorientation is a physiological phenomenon. A small child is not able to correctly identify his own gender or occupation; he has difficulty finding his way around a group of new people. Only in adolescence a period of complete social orientation begins. But if parents suspect that the child is experiencing disorientation not related to age characteristics, you should definitely contact a specialist, as this sign may indicate the development dementia And mental retardation .

Disorientation in humans is often associated with organic brain damage, as well as metabolic disorders. In older people, confusion and disorientation are often associated with.

Confusion may result hypoxemia , which manifests itself in diseases of the lungs, as well as the nervous and cardiovascular systems. This symptom may occur with severe infections, severe malnutrition, or dehydration.

Thus, confusion may be a symptom of the following diseases: brain tumor , circulatory disorders in the brain , head injuries , hypoxemia , endocrine disorders , metabolic disorders .

Confusion of consciousness also manifests itself under the influence of certain external factors. Impaired consciousness is possible with severe hypothermia or heat stroke. This symptom is often observed in people who long time were intoxicated, took drugs or strong psychotropic medications.

How to get rid of disorientation and confusion?

To provide effective treatment diseases in which a person exhibits disturbances of consciousness and orientation, it is necessary to conduct a comprehensive examination and establish an accurate diagnosis. Initially, the specialist conducts a detailed survey of the patient and his loved ones. If there is a suspicion of the presence of organic brain damage, a biochemical blood test must be performed, other lab tests, EEG, MRI or CT, study of metabolic disorders.

If the diagnosis is established, comprehensive treatment of the underlying disease is carried out. It is important to discontinue all medications and ensure that there are no factors that may trigger confusion.

If we are talking about senile dementia , then care should be taken not only to treat the patient, but also to ensure proper care for him. With senile dementia, a person experiences a number of symptoms: loss of orientation when walking, incoherent thinking, loss of awareness of one’s own personality. It should be taken into account that people with dementia may experience both short-term loss of orientation and loss of spatial orientation for a longer period. If the patient experiences disorientation and dizziness regularly, he should not be left alone on the street.

It is important to remember that loss of orientation in space can lead to the patient simply getting lost. It is also necessary to ensure maximum patient safety. If necessary, mechanical aids can be used. A person who is marked senile dementia – a disease of loss of orientation in time and space – should be in the most calm and friendly environment. If the patient has only temporary loss of orientation, it is advisable to always keep a calendar and watch next to him. If possible, the patient should be constantly looked after by a nurse or one of the relatives. Depending on the patient’s condition, the doctor allows him to sit, walk, or go outside.

Sometimes patients with confusion are prescribed antidepressants. It is important to constantly monitor your pulse and prevent dehydration.

If a person becomes confused suddenly, they should immediately consult a doctor. For example, disturbances of consciousness can suddenly appear in diabetes mellitus if the blood sugar level drops sharply.

If a child has severe social disorientation, it is necessary to consult a psychologist. The specialist will tell you which behavior model to prefer in order to promote social adaptation child.

As a preventive measure against impaired consciousness and orientation, it is advisable to adhere to the principles proper nutrition, do not abuse alcohol, regularly get enough sleep. Patients with diabetes need to constantly monitor their blood sugar levels. Elderly people should take the medications prescribed by the doctor. To prevent senile dementia, it is important to lead an active life whenever possible and be sure to train your memory and brain.

Disturbances of consciousness are manifestations of dysfunction of certain areas of the brain, which may be accompanied by a temporary complete or partial loss of connection with reality, hallucinations, delusions, aggression or a feeling of fear.

Disturbances of consciousness include stupor, stupor, coma, twilight stupefaction and some other conditions in which the patient is not capable of adequate perception of reality.

Why does consciousness disappear?

The main causes of disturbances of consciousness include:

no visible structural changes brain;
and electrical activity of the brain;
, metabolic and mental diseases;
drug addiction, alcoholism, substance abuse;

Types of disorders and disorders of consciousness

Disorders of consciousness are divided into two large groups: quantitative and qualitative. The quantitative group includes coma, stupor (somnolence) and stupor. Qualitative ones include twilight stupefaction, ambulatory automatism, fugue and some other disorders of brain activity.

Main types of disturbance and/or clouding of consciousness:

Stupor (). Translated from Latin, this word means “numbness.” A patient in a stupor stops reacting to the surrounding reality. They don’t even cause a reaction from him loud noise and inconveniences such as wet beds. During natural disasters (fires, earthquakes, floods), the patient does not realize that he is in danger and does not move. Stupor is accompanied by movement disorders and lack of response to pain.
Twilight stupefaction. This type of disorder is characterized by sudden and also suddenly disappearing disorientation in space. A person retains the ability to reproduce automated habitual actions.
Locked-in syndrome. This is the name of a condition in which the patient completely loses the ability to speak, move, express emotions, etc. Those around him mistakenly believe that the patient is in a state of flux and cannot adequately respond to what is happening. In reality, the person is conscious. He is aware of everything that is happening around him, but due to paralysis of his entire body, he is unable to even express emotions. Only the eyes remain mobile, through the movement of which the patient communicates with others.
. This is a condition in which the patient is conscious but confused. Him understanding of the surrounding reality is maintained. The patient easily finds the source of sounds and reacts to pain. At the same time, he completely or practically loses the ability to speak and move. After their healing, patients say that they were fully aware of everything that was happening around them, but some force prevented them from adequately responding to reality.
. Characterized by constant desire fall asleep. At night, sleep lasts much longer than it should. Awakening usually does not occur without artificial stimulation, such as an alarm clock. It is necessary to distinguish between 2 types of hypersomnia: the one that occurs in a completely healthy person, and the one that is typical for people with mental and other types of disabilities. In the first case increased drowsiness may be a consequence of the syndrome chronic fatigue or . In the second case, hypersomnia indicates the presence of a disease.
Stun(or stunned consciousness syndrome). During deafening, the already mentioned hypersomnia and a significant increase in the threshold of perception of all external stimuli are observed. The patient may experience partial amnesia. The patient is unable to answer the simplest questions, hearing voices and knowing where the source of the sound is. There are 2 types of stunning consciousness. In a milder form, the patient can carry out the commands given to him, moderate drowsiness and partial disorientation in space are observed. With more severe form the patient performs only the simplest commands, his level of drowsiness will be much higher, and disorientation in space will be complete.
Wakeful coma (). Develops after serious ones. This condition received the name “coma” because, despite being conscious, the patient is not able to come into contact with the outside world. The patient's eyes are open eyeballs rotate. At the same time, the gaze is not fixed. The patient has no emotional reactions and speech. The patient does not perceive commands, but is able to experience pain, reacting to it with inarticulate sounds and chaotic movements.
. A mental disorder that occurs with disturbances of consciousness. The patient suffers from visual hallucinations. Him disorientation in time is observed, orientation in space is partially impaired. There can be many causes of delirium. People suffer from hallucinations old age and alcoholics. Delirium may also indicate the presence of schizophrenia.
. Due to injury and for some other reasons, a person loses the ability to be mentally active. The patient's motor reflexes are preserved. The cycle of sleep and wakefulness is maintained.
Dissociative fugue. A type of mental disorder in which the patient completely loses his previous personality and begins to new life. The patient usually seeks to move to a new place of residence, where no one knows him. Some patients change their habits and tastes and take a different name. A fugue can last from several hours (the patient, as a rule, does not have time to radically change his life) to several years. Over time, there is a return to the previous personality. The patient may lose all memories of the life he led during the fugue period. A mental disorder can be caused by events of a traumatic nature to the psyche: the death of a loved one, divorce, rape, etc. Psychiatrists believe that fugue is a special defense mechanism of our body, allowing us to symbolically “escape” from ourselves.
. A confusional disorder in which the patient loses the ability to synthesize. The big picture the world for him breaks up into separate fragments. The inability to connect these elements with each other leads the patient to complete disorientation. The patient is not capable of productive contact with the surrounding reality due to incoherent speech, meaningless movements and the gradual loss of his own personality.
Coma. The patient is in unconscious, from which it is impossible to derive it by ordinary methods. There are 3 degrees of this condition. In a first-degree coma, the patient is able to respond to stimuli and pain. He does not regain consciousness, but responds to irritation with defensive movements. While in a second-degree coma, a person is unable to respond to stimuli or experience pain. In third degree coma, vital functions are in a catastrophic state, muscle weakness is observed atony.
Short-term loss of consciousness (,). Fainting is caused by a temporary disruption of cerebral blood flow. The causes of short-term loss of consciousness can be conditions of low oxygen content in the blood, as well as conditions accompanied by disturbances in the nervous regulation of blood vessels. Syncope is also possible with some neurological diseases.

Twilight state of consciousness and its types

Stupefaction (twilight) occurs with, and. This type disorders of consciousness are called transient, that is, unexpectedly occurring and passing quickly.

Long-term stupefactions (up to several days) are possible mainly in epileptics. This condition may be accompanied by fear, aggression and some other negative emotions.

Twilight disorder of consciousness is characterized by hallucinations and delusions. The visions are frightening. Expressed aggression is directed towards people, animals and inanimate objects. A person suffering from twilight darkness is characterized by amnesia. The patient does not remember what he said and did during his seizures, and does not remember the hallucinations he saw.

Twilight consciousness occurs in several variants:

Outpatient automatism. This condition is not accompanied by delusions, hallucinations or aggressive behavior. Outwardly, the patient’s behavior is no different from his behavior in his normal state. A person automatically performs all usual actions. The patient may wander aimlessly along the street, following familiar routes.
Rave. The patient's behavior does not always change. This state is characterized by silence and an absent gaze. The patient may show aggression.
Oriented twilight stupefaction. The patient retains consciousness in fragments and is able to recognize close people. Delusions and hallucinations may be absent. The patient experiences fear or aggression.
Hallucinations. The visions that visit the patient during an attack are threatening. Patients see red or blood. Visions may include fictional characters or fantastic creatures that show aggression. The patient begins to defend himself, causing harm even to those closest to him.

At the first signs of twilight conditions, a person must be provided with pre-medical assistance, care and observation. The patient should not be left alone. If consciousness is not completely lost, contact can be maintained with it.

Sometimes familiar faces become the only reference point for someone who has lost touch with reality. You should not wait until the patient completely loses contact with the outside world. He needs urgent transport to the hospital.

First aid for impaired consciousness

During a patient's attack, people around him should take Urgent measures. If consciousness is completely lost, you need to try to bring the person to his senses: give him a sniff of ammonia, put it on his head soaked in cold water napkin.

You should also immediately call " ambulance", even if the person who lost consciousness managed to recover from the fainting state.

In case of partial loss of consciousness, the provision of first aid may be complicated by the patient’s inappropriate behavior. If there is an incomplete loss of contact with reality, it is necessary to conduct a constant dialogue with the person so that a complete break with reality does not occur.

The patient should not be left alone with himself. However, others need to remember that in similar condition a person may be subject to various kinds of hallucinations. He is capable of harming those he loves.

Providing medical care

A person suffering from any kind mental disorders, must be constantly monitored by a psychiatrist and undergo a medical examination on time. Since the causes of impaired consciousness may vary, treatment may also differ in each individual case.

For example, if a patient suffers renal failure, he is prescribed hemodialysis. In case of drug overdose Naloxone is required. Loss of consciousness caused by alcohol poisoning requires large doses of thiamine. In addition, in case of any poisoning, you must first rinse your stomach.

If during the next attack the patient lost consciousness for a long time, fell into a coma, a vegetative state or stupor, the doctor needs to assess vital functions and find out whether the patient’s body can independently support its vital functions.

(Tizercin, ) - drugs most often used in the treatment of disorders of consciousness, administered intramuscularly. To prevent the collaptoid state, Cordiamine is prescribed. If the first signs are present, the patient must be hospitalized. A nurse is assigned to the patient for care and constant monitoring.

Disturbances of consciousness are a group mental illness and disorders that prevent the patient from providing self-help. The relatives and friends of a sick person have a huge responsibility.

They should not allow the patient to remain left to himself for a long time, and at the first signs of the onset of a seizure, they must be able to help him.

Etiology

Clinicians identify the following etiological factors that can lead to the development of this human condition:

drug intoxication;
psychological diseases;
traumatic brain injury;
strong ;
vascular pathologies of the brain;
neurological disorders;
damage to the central nervous system;
metabolic disorders;
epileptic seizures;
toxic poisoning;
strong body and high body temperature;
hidden internal bleeding;

In some cases, confusion may occur due to circulatory problems, especially with.

Classification

The following forms of this disorder are distinguished, depending on the etiological factor and the age of the patient:

hallucinatory;
manic;
catatonic;
confabulatory;
vascular.

Symptoms

Confusion may be accompanied by the following symptoms:

partial, in most cases short-term - a person may forget what he did or said a few minutes ago, periodically not recognize his relatives, passport details and other similar information;
the patient may forget all information about himself;
sharp - a state of complete peace can be replaced by sharp aggression even towards close people;
slow and inconsistent speech;
uncontrolled urine output and defecation;

With cervical osteochondrosis, the above-described clinical picture can be supplemented by the following signs:

pain in the heart and chest area;
motor dysfunction;
weakening of muscle tone.

If confusion is caused by hidden internal bleeding (most often intestinal), then the clinical picture may be supplemented by the following signs:

increased sweating;
pale skin;

Confusion in a psychological disorder may be accompanied by the following additional symptoms:

inappropriate behavior;
attacks of aggression;
incorrect interpretation of the actions of others;
an unreasonable feeling of fear.

In this condition of the patient, medical assistance should be urgently called. The above-described clinical manifestations cannot be ignored, as this is fraught with the development of serious complications. In this case, death should not be ruled out, since a person in such a state is not responsible for his actions.

Diagnostics

In case of confusion, you should contact. After the initial examination, the doctor, if necessary, will refer the patient to or carry out further treatment together.

To determine the root cause factor, the following laboratory and instrumental examination methods may be prescribed:

blood sampling for general and biochemical analysis;
general urine analysis;
Ultrasound of internal organs;
Dopplerography of blood vessels;
consultation with a psychiatrist.

In any case, no matter what the supposed etiological cause of the violation of a person’s clarity of consciousness, consultation with a psychiatrist, even for preventive purposes, is mandatory.

Treatment

If the patient is in a state of agitation, the doctor may prescribe the following medications:

tranquilizers;
sedatives;
sleeping pills.

Panina Valentina Viktorovna

Actress, Honored Artist of the RSFSR

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I found out about you on the Internet - I urgently need an MRI.

And after the performance I’m with you. I really liked your staff. Thank you for your attention, kindness and accuracy.

May everything be as good in your soul as I am now, despite all the problems...

Be!!! We're happy! Your Panina V.V.

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I found out about you on the Internet - I urgently need an MRI.

And after the performance I’m with you. I really liked your staff. Thank you for your attention, kindness and accuracy.

May everything be as good in your soul as I am now, despite all the problems...

Be!!! We're happy! Your Panina V.V.

I found out about you on the Internet - I urgently need an MRI.

And after the performance I’m with you. I really liked your staff. Thank you for your attention, kindness and accuracy.

May everything be as good in your soul as I am now, despite all the problems...

Be!!! We're happy! Your Panina V.V.

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Sergei Shnurov

Russian rock musician, film actor, TV presenter and artist.

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