Not knowing what day or time of day it is, not recognising people or surroundings, not remembering events of minutes or hours ago. Usually happens because supply of oxygen or glucose to brain is disrupted.
Confusion is one of the symptoms of Hypothermia (dangerous loss of body heat, person's abdomen feels cold); this is an emergency, so give First Aid. if confusion comes on gradually after a fall or a head injury, and is accompanied by abnormal sleepiness or drowsiness, numbness or weakness, or Headache and Nausea, cause may be a subdural haemorrhage; appropriate action is to consult your doctor if there is no improvement in 2 hours.
Sometimes the symptoms of a subdural haemorrhage are difficult to distinguish from those of Senile Dementia, although generally speaking the confusion, patchy short-term memory, and personality changes which accompany senile dementia are of slower onset; in some cases, however, these symptoms maybe due to vitamin deficiency rather than senility.
Other conditions which may be responsible for confusion are High Blood Pressure, hypothyroidism (see Thyroid Problems) Hypoglycaemia (usually from lack of food), or a brain tumour. It should also be remembered that alcohol and drugs have considerable capacity to cause confusion in the elderly, as have infections.
Specific remedy to be taken every hour for up to 10 doses where confusion is acute and of sudden onset; if no improvement within 12 hours, see your medical doctor
- Fever, red face, staring eyes, person upset by slightest jarring Belladonna 30c
Specific remedies to be taken every 12 hours for up to 3 doses where confusion is chronic; if no improvement, see your homeopath
- Confusion due to senile dementia Baryta 30c
- Confusion associated with delusions and flights of fancy Cannabis ind. 30c
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