Confusion
Lack of clarity and coherence of thought, perception, understanding, or action.
Also called: Confusion, Disorientation, Easily confused, Mental disorientation.
Conditions associated with confusion
The following conditions have been associated with confusion in medical literature. This is informational and not a diagnosis.
Acquired methemoglobinemia
Acquired methemoglobinemia is a medical condition that may be associated with various symptoms and signs....
Acute disseminated encephalomyelitis
Acute disseminated encephalomyelitis is a medical condition that may be associated with various symptoms and s...
Acute intermittent porphyria
Acute intermittent porphyria is a medical condition that may be associated with various symptoms and signs....
Acute liver failure
Acute liver failure is a medical condition that may be associated with various symptoms and signs....
Alpha-mannosidosis, infantile form
Alpha-mannosidosis, infantile form is a medical condition that may be associated with various symptoms and sig...
Alzheimer Disease
A progressive neurodegenerative disease and the most common cause of dementia, causing memory loss and cogniti...
Amoebiasis due to free-living amoebae
Amoebiasis due to free-living amoebae is a medical condition that may be associated with various symptoms and ...
Autoimmune hypoparathyroidism
Autoimmune hypoparathyroidism is a medical condition that may be associated with various symptoms and signs....
Babesiosis
Babesiosis is a medical condition that may be associated with various symptoms and signs....
Bacterial toxic-shock syndrome
Bacterial toxic-shock syndrome is a medical condition that may be associated with various symptoms and signs....
Behçet disease
Behçet disease is a medical condition that may be associated with various symptoms and signs....
Bickerstaff brainstem encephalitis
Bickerstaff brainstem encephalitis is a medical condition that may be associated with various symptoms and sig...
CAR T cell therapy-associated cytokine release syndrome
CAR T cell therapy-associated cytokine release syndrome is a medical condition that may be associated with var...
Cerebral autosomal dominant arteriopathy-subcortical infarcts-leukoencephalopathy
Cerebral autosomal dominant arteriopathy-subcortical infarcts-leukoencephalopathy is a medical condition that ...
Citrullinemia type II
Citrullinemia type II is a medical condition that may be associated with various symptoms and signs....
Coproporphyria
Coproporphyria is a medical condition that may be associated with various symptoms and signs....
Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever
Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever is a medical condition that may be associated with various symptoms and signs....
Cysticercosis
Cysticercosis is a medical condition that may be associated with various symptoms and signs....
Epilepsy
A neurological disorder characterized by recurrent, unprovoked seizures. Management focuses on seizure control...
Ethylene glycol poisoning
Ethylene glycol poisoning is a medical condition that may be associated with various symptoms and signs....
Exercise-induced malignant hyperthermia
Exercise-induced malignant hyperthermia is a medical condition that may be associated with various symptoms an...
Familial or sporadic hemiplegic migraine
Familial or sporadic hemiplegic migraine is a medical condition that may be associated with various symptoms a...
Hemorrhagic fever-renal syndrome
Hemorrhagic fever-renal syndrome is a medical condition that may be associated with various symptoms and signs...
Hepatitis delta
Hepatitis delta is a medical condition that may be associated with various symptoms and signs....
Hyperammonemia due to N-acetylglutamate synthase deficiency
Hyperammonemia due to N-acetylglutamate synthase deficiency is a medical condition that may be associated with...
Hyperprolinemia type 2
Hyperprolinemia type 2 is a medical condition that may be associated with various symptoms and signs....
Hypoglycemia
Abnormally low blood sugar levels causing shakiness, sweating, confusion, and in severe cases loss of consciou...
Idiopathic hypereosinophilic syndrome
Idiopathic hypereosinophilic syndrome is a medical condition that may be associated with various symptoms and ...
IgG4-related pachymeningitis
IgG4-related pachymeningitis is a medical condition that may be associated with various symptoms and signs....
Immune-mediated thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura
Immune-mediated thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura is a medical condition that may be associated with various...
Inhalational anthrax
Inhalational anthrax is a medical condition that may be associated with various symptoms and signs....
Inherited Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease
Inherited Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease is a medical condition that may be associated with various symptoms and si...
Kleine-Levin syndrome
Kleine-Levin syndrome is a medical condition that may be associated with various symptoms and signs....
Kufor-Rakeb syndrome
Kufor-Rakeb syndrome is a medical condition that may be associated with various symptoms and signs....
Lafora disease
Lafora disease is a medical condition that may be associated with various symptoms and signs....
Lujo hemorrhagic fever
Lujo hemorrhagic fever is a medical condition that may be associated with various symptoms and signs....
Mal de débarquement
Mal de débarquement is a medical condition that may be associated with various symptoms and signs....
Marburg hemorrhagic fever
Marburg hemorrhagic fever is a medical condition that may be associated with various symptoms and signs....
Marchiafava-Bignami disease
Marchiafava-Bignami disease is a medical condition that may be associated with various symptoms and signs....
Meningitis
Inflammation of the membranes around the brain and spinal cord, usually caused by infection. Can be life-threa...
Tests providers may use to investigate confusion
When investigating confusion, a healthcare provider may order one or more of the following laboratory tests. Test selection is a clinical decision made by a qualified professional.
CBC with Differential
Measures red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets to help evaluate overall health and detect disorder...
Cbc, Cmp, Ua, Thyroid, & Lipid Health Tests
Our standard health test panel includes thyroid testing, a CBC, CMP, Urinalysis, & Lipid Panel. These lab test...
Cholesterol & Lipid Test Panels
A complete cholesterol test (a lipid panel or lipid profile) is a blood test that can measure the amount of ty...
Comprehensive Metabolic Panel (CMP)
Measures 14 substances in the blood to assess kidney and liver function, electrolyte balance, and blood sugar ...
Crp Test C-Reactive Protein
This blood test measures levels of CRP to help indicate if cases of inflammation or infection are occurring. I...
Fasting Glucose
Measures blood sugar after fasting to screen for diabetes and prediabetes....
Fasting Insulin
Measures insulin levels to help assess insulin resistance....
Glucose 6-Phosphate Dehydrogenase G6Pd Test, Quantitative
Order Glucose 6-Phosphate Dehydrogenase (G6PD) Test, Quantitative.com online through our partner and visit a l...
Glucose Blood Test
The glucose test is a blood test used to measure glucose (blood sugar) levels. Glucose is the major source of ...
Symptoms commonly seen alongside confusion
Dizziness
A feeling of lightheadedness, unsteadiness, or faintness, which can be caused by many conditions....
Excessive Sweating
Sweating more than is needed to regulate body temperature, which can accompany fever, anxiety, hypoglycemia, o...
Irritability
Easily annoyed or frustrated mood, which can be caused by stress, sleep problems, hormonal changes, or mood di...
Light Sensitivity
Discomfort or pain when looking at light, which can accompany migraine, eye inflammation, or meningitis....
Poor Judgment
Impaired decision-making, which can be a sign of cognitive decline....
Rapid Breathing
Breathing faster than normal, which can be a sign of fever, infection, anxiety, or respiratory conditions....
When to seek care
Seek care from a qualified healthcare provider if confusion is severe, persistent, worsening, or accompanied by concerning symptoms. If you think you have a medical emergency, call your local emergency number immediately.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the symptom confusion mean?
Confusion is a health sign or symptom described in medical literature. Lack of clarity and coherence of thought, perception, understanding, or action.
Which conditions are associated with confusion?
Confusion has been reported in association with 72 conditions in the medical literature we index, including Acquired methemoglobinemia, Acute disseminated encephalomyelitis, Acute intermittent porphyria, Acute liver failure, Alpha-mannosidosis, infantile form. These associations do not mean you have any of these conditions.
Should I see a doctor about confusion?
You should discuss any persistent or concerning symptoms with a qualified healthcare provider. This website does not provide diagnosis. If you have severe symptoms or signs of a medical emergency, seek care immediately.