Altered mental status

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Altered Mental Status

Altered Mental Status (pronunciation: al-terd men-tl sta-tus) is a medical term that refers to a broad spectrum of disorders characterized by changes in a patient's consciousness, cognition, perception, affect, or behavior.

Etymology

The term "Altered Mental Status" is derived from the Latin words "alterare" meaning to change, "mens" meaning mind, and "status" meaning condition.

Definition

Altered Mental Status (AMS) is a disruption in how your brain works that causes a change in behavior, such as confusion, amnesia, loss of alertness, or disorientation. This can occur suddenly or over time and is often a sign of a serious medical condition that requires immediate attention.

Causes

AMS can be caused by a variety of conditions, including stroke, traumatic brain injury, seizure, hypoglycemia, hyperglycemia, dehydration, infection, drug overdose, alcohol withdrawal, and psychiatric disorders.

Symptoms

Symptoms of AMS can vary widely depending on the underlying cause, but may include confusion, disorientation, agitation, lethargy, hallucinations, and changes in personality or behavior.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of AMS involves a thorough medical history, physical examination, and often, diagnostic tests such as blood tests, urinalysis, imaging studies, and sometimes, lumbar puncture.

Treatment

Treatment of AMS is aimed at addressing the underlying cause and may involve medications, intravenous fluids, oxygen therapy, or other interventions as appropriate.

Related Terms

External links

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