Confusion, Memory Loss, and Altered Alertness

Emergencies

Yes	Do you have any of the following symptoms that require emergency treatment? Call 911 or other emergency services immediately.

• Unconsciousness or inability to respond to touch or voice (unresponsive)
• Sudden decreased level of consciousness lasting longer than 1 minute
• Signs of shock
• Moderate to severe difficulty breathing
• Sudden memory loss, confusion, or decreased alertness with any of the following symptoms:
  • Signs of a stroke
  • Chest pain, particularly if it is crushing or squeezing, that feels like a heavy weight on the chest, or occurs with any other symptoms of a heart attack
  • Heart rate changes and irregular heartbeats (arrhythmia), particularly if your pulse rate is less than 50 beats per minute or more than 150 beats per minute. To check your heart rate, see taking a pulse.
  • Skin changes such as hot, dry, red or flushed skin, even under the armpits.
  • Tiny purple or red spots (petechiae) or small bruises (purpura) on the skin.
  • Fear of dying or a sense of impending doom
• Confusion or decreased alertness after swallowing, breathing, or injecting an illegal drug or any other potentially poisonous substance

Check Your Symptoms

If you answer yes to any of the following questions, click on the "Yes" in front of the question for information about how soon to see a health professional.

Review health risks that may increase the seriousness of your symptoms.

If you have any of the following symptoms, evaluate those symptoms first.

• A head injury: Go to the topic Head Injury, Age 4 and Older.
• Cold temperature exposure: Go to the topic Cold Temperature Exposure.
• A headache: Go to the topic Headaches.
• Heat exposure: Go to the topic Heat-Related Illness.
• Seizure: Go to the topic Seizures.
• Symptom of poisoning: Go to the topic Poisoning.

Yes	Have you had a recent episode of confusion, decreased alertness, or extreme sleepiness?
Yes	Have you fainted (temporary loss of consciousness)?
Yes	Do you think that your symptoms may be caused by alcohol or drugs?
Yes	Do you think that your symptoms may be caused by a medicine?
Yes	Are you having problems with memory, judgment, or problem solving?

Other Symptoms to Watch For

Do you have any of the following symptoms?

• Dizziness, lightheadedness, or vertigo: Go to the topic Dizziness: Lightheadedness and Vertigo.
• Fever: Go to the topic Fever, Age 4 and Older.
• Weakness or fatigue: Go to the topic Weakness and Fatigue.

If a visit to a health professional is not needed immediately, see the Home Treatment section for self-care information.

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Author:	Jan Nissl, RN, BS	Last Updated: February 27, 2007
Medical Review:	William M. Green, MD - Emergency Medicine Colin Chalk, MD, CM, FRCPC - Neurology
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