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Warning-sign checks

Dementia due to metabolic causes: when to get help

Go through these in order and stop at the first one that applies. If you are reading this for someone else, answer for them.

  1. 1

    Is any of this happening now?

    Call 911

    Call emergency services for:

    • Sudden confusion, extreme drowsiness, or difficulty waking
    • A seizure or loss of consciousness
    • New facial droop, arm weakness, speech difficulty, or other stroke signs
    • Severe low blood sugar that does not improve with the person's emergency plan
    • Confusion with severe breathing difficulty, collapse, or serious injury
    Other emergency signs, for anyone
    • Someone who is struggling to breathe, gasping, choking, or cannot get words out
    • Someone who has chest pain, tightness or pressure lasting more than a few minutes
    • Someone who has sudden weakness or drooping on one side of the face or body, slurred speech, or sudden confusion
    • Someone who is unconscious, or cannot be woken
    • Someone who is bleeding heavily and it will not stop with firm pressure
    • Someone who has had a seizure that will not stop, or does not wake up afterwards
    • Someone who has lips or skin that look pale, blue, grey or blotchy
    • Someone who you believe has taken an overdose or swallowed something poisonous
  2. 2

    Is any of this happening?

    Be seen today

    Seek urgent same-day medical advice for a clear worsening over hours or days, especially with dehydration, vomiting, fever, jaundice, poor food intake, repeated low blood sugar, or a recent medicine change.

  3. 3

    Does any of this apply?

    Book an appointment

    Arrange a routine appointment if you or someone close to you notices gradual, persistent changes in memory, thinking, behaviour, balance, or ability to manage daily tasks.

    Earlier assessment gives more opportunity to identify a treatable cause.

The article also says

Sudden confusion should not be assumed to be dementia.

It may be delirium, stroke, infection, or a serious metabolic disturbance.

Every sign above is quoted from the sofidex article on Dementia due to metabolic causes. If you are not sure, err upward — it is always reasonable to be checked.