What is the difference between confused and disoriented

This is often caused by an infection or medicines. Another common cause of disorientation is drugs, especially alcohol or marijuana. It is also a side effect of some medicines. Treatment will depend on the cause of the disorientation. It will often disappear once the underlying cause is treated.

If you are caring for a person with dementia, you can help them by keeping familiar things around them in the house. Arrange furniture and objects so they can find their way around. People with dementia can suddenly become disoriented, even in previously familiar surroundings.

If the person goes out, make sure they carry identification — including their name, address and an emergency contact number. For more information on disorientation and dementia, visit the Dementia Australia website or call the National Dementia Helpline on Let your family know what to do if it happens again.

If a person suddenly becomes disoriented, call triple zero and ask for an ambulance. Stay with them to keep them calm until help arrives. When someone experiences symptoms of disorientation, it's important to see a doctor as soon as you are able. It's important to identify what is causing the disorientation so that the right treatment can be started as soon as possible. Learn more here about the development and quality assurance of healthdirect content.

Dementia affects each person differently. However symptoms such as confusion, memory loss and disorientation are usually present, and problems with mobility and co-ordination may also affect safety. It is important that family, carers, friends and health professionals assist the person with dementia to feel and be as secure as possible. Read more on Dementia Australia website. How can we best understand dementia?

Dementia causes a set of problems that are related to each other. These include memory loss, trouble communicating, confusion and difficulty with walking around.

Do not try to self-diagnose — get medical help if someone suddenly becomes confused or delirious. Page last reviewed: 14 June Next review due: 14 June Sudden confusion delirium. How to tell if someone is confused If a person is confused, they may: not be able to think or speak clearly or quickly not know where they are feel disorientated struggle to pay attention or remember things see or hear things that are not there hallucinations Try asking the person their name, their age and today's date.

Non-urgent advice: See a GP if:. A person who loses consciousness is not awake and is not aware of his or her surroundings. Fainting syncope is a form of brief unconsciousness.

Coma is a deep, prolonged state of unconsciousness. Check your symptoms to decide if and when you should see a doctor. Many things can affect how your body responds to a symptom and what kind of care you may need.

These include:. You have answered all the questions. Based on your answers, you may be able to take care of this problem at home. For men and women, the most common symptom is chest pain or pressure. But women are somewhat more likely than men to have other symptoms, like shortness of breath, nausea, and back or jaw pain. Based on your answers, you may need care right away. The problem is likely to get worse without medical care. Based on your answers, you may need care soon. The problem probably will not get better without medical care.

Sometimes people don't want to call They may think that their symptoms aren't serious or that they can just get someone else to drive them. Or they might be concerned about the cost. But based on your answers, the safest and quickest way for you to get the care you need is to call for medical transport to the hospital. After you call , the operator may tell you to chew 1 adult-strength mg or 2 to 4 low-dose 81 mg aspirin.

Wait for an ambulance. Do not try to drive yourself. As you age, it is normal to experience some memory lapses.

Usually, an occasional memory lapse does not mean you have a serious problem. Try these steps to help improve your memory:.

Ginkgo biloba is a popular herbal treatment for memory problems. But studies have not shown that ginkgo biloba helps improve memory or prevent dementia. Living with a family member who has a decline in memory, problem-solving ability, learning ability, or judgment dementia is hard. To ensure your family member's health and safety , give him or her short instructions when teaching a new task. Break the task down into simple steps.

You may find it helpful to give the person written instructions. Call your doctor if any of the following occur during home treatment:. You can sometimes reduce the impact of age-related memory problems. The saying "use it or lose it" applies to your memory. Your best defense against a memory problem is to stay healthy and fit. To prepare for your appointment, see the topic Making the Most of Your Appointment. You can help your doctor diagnose and treat your condition by being prepared to answer the following questions:.

Blahd Jr. Author: Healthwise Staff. Medical Review: William H. This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated, disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. Learn how we develop our content. To learn more about Healthwise, visit Healthwise. Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated.

Updated visitor guidelines. Confusion, Memory Loss, and Altered Alertness. Topic Overview It is not unusual to occasionally forget where you put your keys or glasses, where you parked your car, or the name of an acquaintance. Dementia is a slow decline in memory, problem-solving ability, learning ability, and judgment that may occur over several weeks to several months.

Many health conditions can cause dementia or symptoms similar to dementia. Alzheimer's disease is the most common cause of dementia in people older than age Delirium is a sudden change in how well a person's brain is working mental status.

Delirium can cause confusion, change the sleep-wake cycles, and cause unusual behavior. Delirium can have many causes, such as withdrawal from alcohol or drugs or medicines, or the development or worsening of an infection or other health problem.

Amnesia is memory loss that may be caused by a head injury, a stroke, substance abuse, or a severe emotional event, such as from combat or a motor vehicle accident. Depending upon the cause, amnesia may be either temporary or permanent. Health problems that can cause confusion or decreased alertness include: Infections, such as a urinary tract infection , respiratory infection , or sepsis.

Alzheimer's disease. Asthma or COPD , which cause a decrease in the amount of oxygen or an increase in the amount of carbon dioxide in the blood. Cardiac problems, such as heart failure , coronary artery disease , or irregular heartbeats arrhythmias , that reduce blood flow. Problems from diabetes. Kidney or liver failure , which causes high levels of toxins to build up in the blood. Malnutrition and vitamin deficiencies caused by health problems, such as alcohol use disorder Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome.

Mental health problems, such as depression or schizophrenia. Thyroid problems, such as hypothyroidism , myxedema coma , or hyperthyroidism. These problems may develop from: Taking too much of a medicine overmedicating or taking medicines that may interact with each other. Overuse of medicines may be the single biggest cause of memory loss or confusion in older adults. Alcohol and medicine interactions. This is a problem, especially for older adults, who may take many medicines at the same time.

Misusing a medicine or alcohol use disorder. Drug intoxication or the effects of withdrawal. Other causes of confusion or decreased alertness can include: A head injury. Decreased or blocked blood flow to the brain.

This may occur during a transient ischemic attack TIA or a stroke. Infection, such as a brain abscess, encephalitis , meningitis , or sepsis. Sexually transmitted infections , such as syphilis late-stage and human immunodeficiency virus HIV. A seizure disorder epilepsy. Brain tumors. Conditions in the environment that can cause changes in the level of consciousness include: Cold temperature exposure, leading to hypothermia. High temperature exposure, leading to heatstroke.

This especially affects older adults when their environment and routines are changed. Decreased oxygen in the blood hypoxia from high altitude. Exposure to toxins poisons , such as carbon monoxide. Check Your Symptoms Do you have a problem with memory loss, confusion, or changes in how alert you feel? How old are you? Are you male or female? Why do we ask this question? The medical assessment of symptoms is based on the body parts you have. If you are transgender or nonbinary, choose the sex that matches the body parts such as ovaries, testes, prostate, breasts, penis, or vagina you now have in the area where you are having symptoms.

If you have some organs of both sexes, you may need to go through this triage tool twice once as "male" and once as "female". This will make sure that the tool asks the right questions for you.

Have you had a recent head injury? Did you pass out completely lose consciousness? If you are answering for someone else: Is the person unconscious now? Are you back to your normal level of alertness? After passing out, it's normal to feel a little confused, weak, or lightheaded when you first wake up or come to. But unless something else is wrong, these symptoms should pass pretty quickly and you should soon feel about as awake and alert as you normally do.

Did the loss of consciousness occur during the past 24 hours? Could you be having symptoms of a stroke? Could you be having symptoms of a heart attack? If you're having a heart attack, there are several areas where you may feel pain or other symptoms.