MENTAL CONFUSION
by Arnaldo Liechtenstein, physician
Particularly aimed at those 60 years of age, though it applies to anyone.
Whenever I teach clinical medicine to students in the fourth year of medicine, I ask the following question: “What are the causes of mental confusion in the elderly?”
- “Tumors in the head.” I answer: No!
- “Early symptoms of Alzheimer’s,” I answer No!
Soon their responses dry up with their failed suggestions.
They are even more open-mouthed when I list the three most common causes:
- Uncontrolled diabetes
- Urinary infection
- Dehydration
People over 60 generally stop feeling thirsty and consequently, stop drinking enough fluids.
Dehydration is severe and affects the entire body. It may cause abrupt mental confusion, a drop in blood pressure, increased heart palpitations, angina (chest pain), coma and even death.
This habit of forgetting to drink fluids begins at age 60. People over 60 have a lower water reserve. This is part of the natural aging process.
But there are more complications. Although they are dehydrated, they don’t feel like drinking water, because their internal balance mechanisms don’t work very well.
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Source: Thanks to Gail A.
