Medical history (history of illness) represents an important component in the diagnosis of acute confusion.
Family history
- What is the general health of your family members?
- Are there any diseases in your family that are common?
- Are there any hereditary diseases in your family?
Social history
- What is your profession?
- Are you exposed to harmful working substances in your profession?
Current medical history / systemic anamnesis (somatic and psychological complaints) [if necessary, external anamnesis].
- What symptoms have you noticed?
- How long have these changes been present?
- How exactly does the confusion manifest itself?
- Did the confusion develop slowly or abruptly?
- Has the confusion changed (improved/worsened* etc.)?
- Is communication possible without change? [if no* ]
- Is there a response to pain stimuli? [if no* ]
- Have there been any changes in muscle tone/posture* ? [if yes* ]
- Are other symptoms present, such as headaches, pupillary disturbances* , paralysis* , discoloration of the skin, etc.?
- Was the confusion preceded by an injury* ?
- Are there any known blood sugar fluctuations?
- Have you noticed any other symptoms? Fever? Signs of paralysis? Speech disorders?*
Vegetative anamnesis including nutritional anamnesis.
- Has your appetite changed?
- Have you noticed any unwanted change in body weight?
- Do you suffer from sleep disturbances?
- Do you drink alcohol? If so, what drink(s) and how many glasses per day?
- Do you use drugs? If yes, what drugs and how often per day or per week?
- Do you smoke? If yes, how many cigarettes, cigars or pipes per day?
Self history including medication history.
- Pre-existing conditions (infections, internal diseases, hormonal disorders).
- Operations
- Radiotherapy
- Vaccination status
- Allergies
- Environmental history
Medication history
- Acetylcholinesterase inhibitors (donezepil, galantamine, rivastigmine).
- Anticholinergics (parasympatholytics) – drugs that counteract the transmitter (transmitter) acetylcholine.
- Antidepressants, tricyclic and tetracyclic.
- Benzodiazepines – drugs that have antianxiety, central muscle relaxant, sedative, and hypnotic (sleep-inducing) effects.
- Digoxin – drug used in heart failure and cardiac arrhythmias.
- Diuretics (diuretic drugs).
- Hypnotics (sleeping pills)
- NMDA-anatgonists – group of drugs that inhibit the action of the neurotransmitter glutamate.
- Opioids (strong painkillers)
- Steroids
Environmental history
- Intoxications, e.g.:
- Alkaloids
- Alcohol
- Hypnotics (sleeping pills)
- Carbon monoxide
- Hydrocarbons (aliphatic, aromatic)
- Opiates (painkillers such as morphine)
- Sedatives (tranquilizers)
- Hydrogen cyanide/potassium cyanide
* If this question has been answered with “Yes”, an immediate visit to the doctor is required! (Data without guarantee)
