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Confusion,Memory Loss,and Altered Alertness - Emergencies

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Step Two

Do you have any of the following symptoms that require emergency treatment? Call 911 or other emergency services immediately.

Unconsciousness or inability to respond to touch or voice (unresponsive)

Sudden decreased level of consciousness lasting longer than 1 minute

Signs of shock

Moderate to severe difficulty breathing

Sudden memory loss, confusion, or decreased alertness with any of the following symptoms:
- •Signs of a stroke
- •Chest pain, particularly if it is crushing or squeezing, that feels like a heavy weight on the chest, or occurs with any other symptoms of a heart attack
- •Heart rate changes and irregular heartbeats (arrhythmia), particularly if your pulse rate is less than 50 beats per minute or more than 150 beats per minute. To check your heart rate, see taking a pulse .
- •Skin changes such as hot, dry, red or flushed skin, even under the armpits (heatstroke).
- •Tiny purple or red spots (petechiae) or small bruises (purpura) on the skin.
- •Fear of dying or a sense of impending doom

Confusion or decreased alertness after swallowing, breathing, or injecting an illegal drug or any other potentially poisonous substance

WebMD Medical Reference from Healthwise

Last Updated: January 13, 2009

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information.