Confusion, Memory Loss, And Altered Alertness: Check Your Symptoms

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When to See a Doctor

Have you had a recent episode of confusion, decreased alertness, or extreme sleepiness?

See significance of temporary confusion or decreased alertness if you need information to help you answer the questions below.

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

Call your health professional immediately if you answer "Yes" to any of the following questions.

Yes

Have you had a change in your mental state, such as a period of confusion?

Yes

Have you had a brief (2 seconds to 1 minute) unexplained episode of decreased alertness?

Yes

Have you had one or more episodes of unexplained, purposeless, repeated body movement?

Yes

Do you feel depressed, and you have not moved, talked, or responded normally to touch or voice for hours or days?

Yes

Do you have decreased alertness and diabetes?

Yes

Do you have decreased alertness and a severe headache?

Yes

Do you have decreased alertness and a stiff neck?

Yes

Do you have decreased alertness and shaking chills?

Yes

Do you have decreased alertness and new, tiny purple or red spots on your skin (petechiae)?

Yes

Do you have decreased alertness and a sudden increase in bruises (purpura)?

Call your health professional today if you answer "Yes" to any of the following questions.

Yes

Do you have a seizure disorder and have you had one or more episodes of unexplained, purposeless, repeated body movement that is different than your usual seizure symptoms?

Yes

Are you very sleepy or hard to wake up but do not have any other symptoms?

If you have answered "No" to the above questions, go back to Check Your Symptoms and continue to answer the questions to evaluate your symptoms.

Last updated:	February 27, 2007
Author:	Jan Nissl, RN, BS
Reviewed By:	William M. Green, MD - Emergency Medicine, Colin Chalk, MD, CM, FRCPC - Neurology
Editors:	Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA, Tracy Landauer