Dehydration appearing like drunkeness, is this possible?

[Isometimeswonder]

Hi.
Can anyone tell me, what could cause drunk-like symptoms without alcohol?
Eg slurring, unsteady, losing train of thought. Not severe, but noticeable.
This is in a 50yo man.
Previously had half a kidney removed due to cancer.
Would dehydration do this?
Thank you

I don't think so. I know low blood sugar can though. So could it be that?

I'd call 111 for advice. Severe water infection maybe? Could it be a stroke?

UTI, heatstroke, dehydration, head injury, sepsis…you need to get medical help

Sepsis could

Please get help now.

Dehydration can do this, but usually once the dehydration has got pretty bad (usually when someone had gone over 24 hours without fluids)

Be aware of stroke signs:

• Face – the face may have dropped on 1 side, the person may not be able to smile, or their mouth or eye may have drooped.
• Arms – the person may not be able to lift both arms and keep them there because of weakness or numbness in 1 arm.
• Speech – their speech may be slurred or garbled, or the person may not be able to talk at all despite appearing to be awake; they may also have problems understanding what you're saying to them.
• Time – it's time to dial 999 immediately if you notice any of these signs or symptoms.

Diabetic crisis presents like being drunk

He should go to A&E and get a blood test to check for infection

If he's dehydrated they'll put him on fluids via IV

UTI in older people.

Not enough info in your post, but from experience if this is someone with a historic alcohol problem, it's the alcohol they've promised they've not touched.

Infection causes this

Could well be UTI which in turn can turn into sepsis etc

I'd go now and get it checked out

These are symptoms that need to be looked into immediately

I got incredibly dehydrated - seriously dangerously so due to a medical situation.

My symptoms were dizzyness - like vertigo / being drunk and the room spinning, made me unsteady on my feet. Feeling sick. Fast pulse. Low blood pressure. Feeling very unwell, so yes, probably couldn't keep a train of thought. If you imagine having the (real) flu and someone trying to have a normal conversation with you, you'd struggle, iykwim.

Whatever's going on, he needs medical asseament, there's obviously something wrong.

Stroke, seizure, brain tumour

Uti stroke encephalitis. Sounds serious I would get him medical attention asap

UTI, stroke, sepsis, dehydration

why are you asking here not finding medical help in real life?

seizure

Yes. DEFINITELY. My mother's elderly friend was put in ICU because her confusion and physical condition caused the doctors to think she'd suffered a stroke. After several hours of IV fluids, she was coherent again. She'd been severely dehydrated.

My DH has stage 3-A chronic kidney disease, and if he doesn't get enough fluids he may get dizzy, fall, or pass out. His blood pressure drops to alarming levels. He doesn't have dementia, but when he's very dehydrated you'd think he did. His cardiologist said such extremely low blood pressure could easily kill him.

My mother now says if she becomes ill, we are to make sure she's checked for dehydration. She's not taking any chances that she accidentally winds up in a nursing home.

My mum is going through low sodium at the moment with same symptoms

Thank you everyone for responding. He was better after hydrating and a sleep.

I had already sought help, was waiting for a ring back.

Could be a brain haemorrhage. It definitely needs looking into urgently. Good luck, hope everything turns out okay.

Can't remember where I saw it but I recently came across gut fermentation syndrome (aka auto brewery syndrome), condition where what you eat (particularly high carbs) literally ferments into alcohol in the stomach so you get drunk. Very rare apparently so probably not that! Just found it fascinating.

Glad the patient is feeling better today.