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Decreased consciousness is reduced alertness or awareness.
Alternative NamesStuporous; Mental status - decreased; Loss of alertness; Decreased consciousness; Alertness - decreased; Changes in consciousness; Obtundation; Coma; Unresponsiveness
ConsiderationsA persistent coma is called vegetative state.
Common CausesMany conditions can cause decreased consciousness, including:
- Alcohol intoxication
- Drug intoxication (particularly opiates, narcotics, sedatives, and anti-anxiety or seizure medications)
- Arrhythmia
- Brain disorders
- Central nervous system diseases
- Lack of oxygen (hypoxia)
- Abnormal blood sugars (diabetic coma)
- Electrolyte or mineral imbalance
- Exposure to heavy metals or hydrocarbons
- Extreme fatigueor sleep deprivation
- Ketoacidosis
- Head trauma
- Heart failure
- Hypoglycemia(low blood sugar)
- Increased carbon dioxide levels (hypercarbia) often seen in emphysema
- Infection
- Low blood pressure (hypotension)
- Metabolic disorders
- Thyroid or adrenal gland disorders
- Seizures such as those related to epilepsy
- Shock
- Stroke
A decrease in consciousness almost always require a doctor's attention, except perhaps when due to alcohol intoxication, simple fainting, or a previously recognized seizure disorder.
See the article on seizures for tips on how to care for a person who is having a seizure.
Persons with epilepsy or other seizure disorder should carry a Medic-Alert bracelet or pendant describing their condition. Such individuals should avoid situations that have previously triggered a seizure.
Call your health care provider ifSee medical help if someone has unexplained, decreased consciousness. Call your local emergency number (such as 911) if normal consciousness does not return quickly.
What to expect at your health care provider's officeMost often, a person with decreased consciousness will be evaluated in an emergency room setting.
The doctor will perform a physical examination. The exam will include a detailed look at the cardiovascular, respiratory, and nervous systems.
The health care team will ask questions about the person's medical history and symptoms, including
- Time pattern
- When did the decreased consciousness occur?
- How long did it last?
- Has it ever happened before? If so, how many times?
- Did the person behave the same way on previous episodes?
- Medical history
- Does the person have known epilepsy or seizure disorder?
- Does the person have diabetes?
- Has the person been sleeping well?
- Has there been a recent head injury?
- Other
- What medications does the person take?
- Does the person habitually use alcohol or drugs?
- What other symptoms are present?
Tests that may be done include:
- Complete blood count or blood differential
- Electrolyte panel
- CT scan or MRI of the head
- ECG(electrocardiogram)
- EEG(electroencephalogram)
- Chest x-ray
- Urinalysis
- Toxicology panel
Treatment depends on the underlying cause of the decreased consciousness. How well a person does depends on the cause of the condition. The longer the person has a decreased or altered level of consciousness, the worse the outcome.
ReferencesBlok BK, Newman TM. Syncope. In: Tintinalli JE, Kelen GD, Stapczynski JS, Ma OJ, Cline DM, eds. Emergency Medicine: A Comprehensive Study Guide. 6th ed. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill; 2004:chap 52.
Huff JS. Altered mental status and coma. In: Tintinalli JE, Kelen GD, Stapczynski JS, Ma OJ, Cline DM, eds. Emergency Medicine: A Comprehensive Study Guide. 6th ed. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill; 2004:chap 259.
Kirsch TD. Head injury. In: Tintinalli JE, Kelen GD, Stapczynski JS, Ma OJ, Cline DM, eds. Emergency Medicine: A Comprehensive Study Guide. 6th ed. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill; 2004:chap 255.
What else can I help you with?
Did Cheyne stokes syndrome is an altered state of consciousness due to decreased blood flow to the brain?
yes
What does septic shock affect?
Symptoms include decreased consciousness, rapid heart and breathing rates and multiple organ failures
Does local anesthesia provide a decreased level of consciousness?
No, local anesthesia does not provide a decreased level of consciousness. It works by blocking nerve signals in a specific area of the body, allowing patients to remain fully awake and aware during procedures. This is different from general anesthesia, which induces unconsciousness. Local anesthesia is typically used for minor surgeries or dental work where sedation is not required.
What two words describe a decreased level of consciousness that does not put patients completely to sleep and that allows the patients to breathe on their own during a surgical procedure?
Local
What two words describe a decreased level of consciousness that does not put patients completely to sleep and that allows the patient to breathe on their own during a surgical procedure?
Local
What two words describe a decreased level of consciousness that does not put patients completely to sleep and that allows the patients to breath on their own during a surgical procedure?
Local
Is local anesthesia a type of anesthesia that provides a decreased level of consciousness True?
False! This is generally used for stitching up cuts, dental work and procedures where the patient is completely conscious
What is hyperosmolarity in diabetes in a way even I can understand?
It is a condition of dehydration that can accompany diabetes (usually type 2).The symptoms includeExtremely high blood sugar (glucose) levelsExtreme lack of water (dehydration)Decreased consciousness
What are some questions about consciousness that have yet to be answered?
Some unanswered questions about consciousness include: What is the exact nature of consciousness? How does consciousness arise from the brain's neural activity? Can consciousness exist independently of the physical brain?
What are the symptoms of CAA hemorage?
Symptoms of lobar hemorrhage in CAA include sudden onset of headache, neurologic symptoms such as weakness, sensory loss, visual changes, or speech problems, depending on which lobe is involved; and decreased level of consciousness.
What are the types of consciousness?
There are two main types of consciousness: phenomenal consciousness, which relates to our subjective experiences and perceptions, and access consciousness, which involves the processing and integration of information in the brain that allows us to be aware of our surroundings and make decisions. Other types, such as self-consciousness and higher-order consciousness, are also proposed by some theories of consciousness.
How can you use consciousness in a sentence?
Has he gained consciousness yet?
