Unconsciousness: Difference between revisions
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[[ | {{SI}} | ||
{{Infobox medical condition | |||
| name = Unconsciousness | |||
| image = [[File:Recovery_Position.JPG|250px]] | |||
| caption = A person in the [[recovery position]] | |||
| field = [[Neurology]] | |||
| symptoms = [[Unresponsiveness]], [[lack of awareness]] | |||
| complications = [[Aspiration pneumonia]], [[brain damage]], [[coma]] | |||
| onset = [[Sudden]] | |||
| duration = [[Variable]] | |||
| causes = [[Trauma]], [[hypoxia]], [[intoxication]], [[seizures]], [[stroke]], [[metabolic disorders]] | |||
| risks = [[Choking]], [[injury]] | |||
| diagnosis = [[Clinical assessment]], [[Glasgow Coma Scale]] | |||
| differential = [[Syncope]], [[coma]], [[seizure]], [[sleep]] | |||
| treatment = [[Airway management]], [[recovery position]], [[cardiopulmonary resuscitation]] | |||
| prognosis = [[Depends on cause and duration]] | |||
| frequency = [[Common]] | |||
}} | |||
[[File:Person_passed_out_on_sidewalk_photographed_with_a_dutch_angle_NYC.tif|left|thumb]] '''Unconsciousness''' is a state in which an individual is not aware of their surroundings and is unable to respond to stimuli. This condition can result from various medical conditions, injuries, or substances. Unconsciousness can be temporary or prolonged, depending on the underlying cause. | |||
==Causes== | ==Causes== | ||
Unconsciousness can be caused by a variety of factors, including: | Unconsciousness can be caused by a variety of factors, including: | ||
* [[Traumatic brain injury]] | * [[Traumatic brain injury]] | ||
* [[Stroke]] | * [[Stroke]] | ||
| Line 13: | Line 29: | ||
* [[Syncope]] (fainting) | * [[Syncope]] (fainting) | ||
* [[Cardiac arrest]] | * [[Cardiac arrest]] | ||
==Types== | ==Types== | ||
There are several types of unconsciousness, each with different characteristics and implications: | There are several types of unconsciousness, each with different characteristics and implications: | ||
* [[Coma]]: A deep state of prolonged unconsciousness where the individual cannot be awakened. | * [[Coma]]: A deep state of prolonged unconsciousness where the individual cannot be awakened. | ||
* [[Vegetative state]]: A condition in which a person is awake but not aware of themselves or their environment. | * [[Vegetative state]]: A condition in which a person is awake but not aware of themselves or their environment. | ||
* [[Minimally conscious state]]: A condition where the person has minimal but definite awareness of themselves or their environment. | * [[Minimally conscious state]]: A condition where the person has minimal but definite awareness of themselves or their environment. | ||
* [[Stupor]]: A state of near-unconsciousness or insensibility. | * [[Stupor]]: A state of near-unconsciousness or insensibility. | ||
==Diagnosis== | ==Diagnosis== | ||
The diagnosis of unconsciousness involves a thorough medical evaluation, including: | The diagnosis of unconsciousness involves a thorough medical evaluation, including: | ||
* [[Glasgow Coma Scale]]: A scale used to assess the level of consciousness. | * [[Glasgow Coma Scale]]: A scale used to assess the level of consciousness. | ||
* [[Neurological examination]] | * [[Neurological examination]] | ||
* [[Imaging studies]] such as [[CT scan]] or [[MRI]] | * [[Imaging studies]] such as [[CT scan]] or [[MRI]] | ||
* [[Blood tests]] to check for metabolic or toxic causes | * [[Blood tests]] to check for metabolic or toxic causes | ||
==Treatment== | ==Treatment== | ||
The treatment of unconsciousness depends on the underlying cause. General measures include: | The treatment of unconsciousness depends on the underlying cause. General measures include: | ||
* Ensuring an open [[airway]] | * Ensuring an open [[airway]] | ||
* Providing [[oxygen therapy]] | * Providing [[oxygen therapy]] | ||
* Administering [[intravenous fluids]] | * Administering [[intravenous fluids]] | ||
* Treating the underlying cause, such as administering [[antidotes]] for overdoses or performing [[surgery]] for traumatic injuries | * Treating the underlying cause, such as administering [[antidotes]] for overdoses or performing [[surgery]] for traumatic injuries | ||
==Prognosis== | ==Prognosis== | ||
The prognosis for an individual who is unconscious depends on the cause, duration, and severity of the condition. Some individuals may recover fully, while others may have long-term impairments or remain in a persistent vegetative state. | The prognosis for an individual who is unconscious depends on the cause, duration, and severity of the condition. Some individuals may recover fully, while others may have long-term impairments or remain in a persistent vegetative state. | ||
==See also== | ==See also== | ||
* [[Consciousness]] | * [[Consciousness]] | ||
| Line 46: | Line 54: | ||
* [[First aid]] | * [[First aid]] | ||
* [[Neurology]] | * [[Neurology]] | ||
==References== | ==References== | ||
{{Reflist}} | {{Reflist}} | ||
==External links== | ==External links== | ||
{{Commons category|Unconsciousness}} | {{Commons category|Unconsciousness}} | ||
[[Category:Medical emergencies]] | [[Category:Medical emergencies]] | ||
[[Category:Neurology]] | [[Category:Neurology]] | ||
[[Category:Symptoms and signs: Cognition, perception, emotional state and behaviour]] | [[Category:Symptoms and signs: Cognition, perception, emotional state and behaviour]] | ||
[[Category:Emergency medicine]] | [[Category:Emergency medicine]] | ||
{{medicine-stub}} | {{medicine-stub}} | ||
Latest revision as of 14:29, 9 April 2025
Editor-In-Chief: Prab R Tumpati, MD
Obesity, Sleep & Internal medicine
Founder, WikiMD Wellnesspedia &
W8MD medical weight loss NYC and sleep center NYC
| Unconsciousness | |
|---|---|
| |
| Synonyms | N/A |
| Pronounce | N/A |
| Specialty | N/A |
| Symptoms | Unresponsiveness, lack of awareness |
| Complications | Aspiration pneumonia, brain damage, coma |
| Onset | Sudden |
| Duration | Variable |
| Types | N/A |
| Causes | Trauma, hypoxia, intoxication, seizures, stroke, metabolic disorders |
| Risks | Choking, injury |
| Diagnosis | Clinical assessment, Glasgow Coma Scale |
| Differential diagnosis | Syncope, coma, seizure, sleep |
| Prevention | N/A |
| Treatment | Airway management, recovery position, cardiopulmonary resuscitation |
| Medication | N/A |
| Prognosis | Depends on cause and duration |
| Frequency | Common |
| Deaths | N/A |
Unconsciousness is a state in which an individual is not aware of their surroundings and is unable to respond to stimuli. This condition can result from various medical conditions, injuries, or substances. Unconsciousness can be temporary or prolonged, depending on the underlying cause.
Causes[edit]
Unconsciousness can be caused by a variety of factors, including:
- Traumatic brain injury
- Stroke
- Seizure
- Hypoglycemia
- Hypoxia
- Drug overdose
- Alcohol intoxication
- Syncope (fainting)
- Cardiac arrest
Types[edit]
There are several types of unconsciousness, each with different characteristics and implications:
- Coma: A deep state of prolonged unconsciousness where the individual cannot be awakened.
- Vegetative state: A condition in which a person is awake but not aware of themselves or their environment.
- Minimally conscious state: A condition where the person has minimal but definite awareness of themselves or their environment.
- Stupor: A state of near-unconsciousness or insensibility.
Diagnosis[edit]
The diagnosis of unconsciousness involves a thorough medical evaluation, including:
- Glasgow Coma Scale: A scale used to assess the level of consciousness.
- Neurological examination
- Imaging studies such as CT scan or MRI
- Blood tests to check for metabolic or toxic causes
Treatment[edit]
The treatment of unconsciousness depends on the underlying cause. General measures include:
- Ensuring an open airway
- Providing oxygen therapy
- Administering intravenous fluids
- Treating the underlying cause, such as administering antidotes for overdoses or performing surgery for traumatic injuries
Prognosis[edit]
The prognosis for an individual who is unconscious depends on the cause, duration, and severity of the condition. Some individuals may recover fully, while others may have long-term impairments or remain in a persistent vegetative state.
See also[edit]
References[edit]
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External links[edit]
Wikimedia Commons has media related to
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