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Attention, chocolate lovers: You may not be able to help yourselves. Swiss and British scientists have linked the widespread love of chocolate to a chemical "signature" that may be programmed into our metabolic systems.
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Confusion

Overview, Causes, & Risk Factors

Confusion is an abnormal mental condition or state of mind. A person who is confused has trouble understanding the environment and may react or respond inappropriately to it.

What is going on in the body?

Confusion is often a sign of an underlying problem or illness. The causes range from mild to serious. Confusion may come on suddenly or may occur gradually over time. Many causes of confusion are reversible.

What are the causes and risks of the symptom?

There are many possible causes of confusion, including:

being in an unfamiliar situation. For example, roughly 30% of people who get admitted to a hospital intensive care unit become confused during their stay. Being sick and in an unusual situation causes enough stress to make many people become confused.

a sudden illness, especially when the illness is severe. This is most likely to occur in young children and elderly persons. Even the flu can cause confusion in some people. Other infections, such as the brain infections meningitis and encephalitis, and a serious blood infection called sepsis, commonly cause confusion.

illegal drugs, alcohol, and some medicines

withdrawal from drugs or alcohol

low blood sugar, known as hypoglycemia

head injury

brain damage, such as that from Alzheimer disease, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson disease, a brain tumor, or a stroke

fluid and salt imbalances, such as low sodium

vitamin or mineral deficiency, such as vitamin B2\ \niacin\ \vitamin B6\ \vitamin B12\ \folate\ \biotin\ \pantothenic acid\',CAPTION,'Vitamin B1');" onmouseout="return nd();">thiamine or B1\ \B2\ \B6\ \pantothenic acid\ \folic acid\ \niacin\ \biotin\ Cobalamin is the general name for vitamin B12. ',CAPTION,'Vitamin B12');" onmouseout="return nd();">vitamin B12 deficiency

chronic or serious infections or illnesses, such as HIV, Treponema pallidum\ bacteria. Less often, syphilis is transmitted from a pregnant woman to her baby. This form of syphilis is known as \congenital syphilis.\ ',CAPTION,'Syphilis');" onmouseout="return nd();">syphilis, appendicitis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, cirrhosis, chronic renal failure, anemia, cancer or heart attacks

hormone imbalances, such as low thyroid levels or hypothyroidism

There are many other causes of confusion. Sometimes, a cause cannot be found.