Acute Brain Syndrome and Mental Confusion
Acute brain syndrome is a condition that is used in reference to a temporary state of fluctuating consciousness and mental confusion. It is evidenced by rapid changes that take place in the function of your brain and severe confusion. Acute brain syndrome is brought about by some type of mental or physical ailment or disorder. In medical terms, acute brain syndrome is a common and severe neuropsychiatric condition that has core features of generalized severe disorganization of behavior, attentional deficits, fluctuating course and acute (rapid) onset. Acute brain syndrome is also usually marked by altered sleep-wake cycle, other cognitive deficits, psychotic features like delusion and hallucinations, changes in arousal (hypoactive, hyperactive or mixed) and perceptual deficits. Acute brain syndrome is a condition that usually comes on suddenly. In many instances, it develops within hours or days. Acute brain syndrome may continue for anywhere from a few hours to several weeks or months. Acute brain syndrome is probably the single most common acute condition that adults are afflicted with in general hospitals. In fact, between 10 and 20% of all hospitalized adults are affected by acute brain syndrome. In addition, this condition affects 30 to 40% of hospitalized patients who are elderly and up to 80% of ICU patients. Acute brain syndrome is referred to in other ways. It is also known as acute confusional state and delirium. Acute brain syndrome should not be confused with dementia. Although these two conditions have signs and symptoms that are similar, they are not the same condition. As mentioned at the beginning, acute brain syndrome is brought about by some kind of physical or mental ailment or disorder. Fortunately, it is a condition that is usually temporary and reversible. There are several illnesses that can result in acute brain syndrome. These include things that deprive your brain of oxygen and other substances. Some of the causes include:- Various medications, such as narcotic pain relievers, sleep medications, antidepressants and allergy medications
- Acid/base or fluid/electrolyte disturbances
- Infections, such as urinary tract infections or pneumonia
- the mental illness Dementia
- Sudden, severe, terminal or chronic ailment
- Advanced age
- Drug Abuse
- Multiple medical procedures
- Emotional stress
- Poisons
- Movements that are initiated by changes that take place in your nervous system
- Being confused about the time or place (disorientation)
- An inability to think or behave with purpose
- Drowsiness and changes in your sleep patterns
- Having a hard time concentrating
- Changes in the level of your consciousness or awareness
- Talking in a way that does not make any sense (becoming incoherent)
- Changes in your alertness that involve you being more alert in the morning and less alert at night
- An inability to stop speech patterns or behaviors
- Changes in your movement, such as becoming inactive or moving slowly
- Depression
- Changes in your perception and feeling (sensation)
- Anger
- Irritability
- A decrease in your short-term recall and memory
- Apathy
- Anxiety
- Euphoria
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