0
Irritability is an excessive response to stimuli.
Alternative NamesInconsolability
ConsiderationsThe term "irritability" is used for infants and young children who, when ill, are especially fussy, whiny, and fretful, despite attempts at comforting and soothing them.
Parents are usually very aware of their child's normal behavior and may pick up early changes that the health care provider wouldn't notice. This can help diagnose illness early.
Common CausesIrritability can be a very early sign of serious problems. Although irritability is not a symptom of any specific illness, it should arouse suspicion in the parent that something might be wrong with the child, even though there may not yet be other symptoms.
Causes of irritability include:
- Alcohol or drug withdrawal state
- Autism spectrum disorders
- Cancer
- Colic in infants
- Congenital infections
- Diabetes or other metabolic disease
- Drug reaction
- Ear infection
- Encephalitis
- Fracture, sprain, or other bone, joint, or tissue injury
- Headache (migraine or other)
- Head trauma
- Hydrocephalus
- Hypoglycemia
- Intestinal obstruction
- Intracranial bleeding or abscess
- Iron deficiency anemia
- Lead poisoning
- Meningitis or other serious infection
- Milk intolerance
- Nutritional deficiencies
- Pinworm
- Psychiatric illnesses
- Sleep disorders
- Tay-Sachs or other genetic disease
- Teething
- Viral infection
Attempt to soothe the child with usual measures -- rocking, cuddling, or whatever the child normally finds soothing. If the child cannot be consoled, consult your health care provider.
Watch the child for other symptoms such as:
- Abdominal pain
- Fever
- Poor appetite
- Rash
- Vomiting
Contact your health care provider if your child is irritable or inconsolable, with or without other symptoms.
What to expect at your health care provider's officeThe health care provider will take a medical history and perform a physical examination. Tests may include:
Medical history questions documenting irritability in detail may include:
- How irritable is the child?
- Does the irritability persist?
- How does the child normally eat (how often, how much)?
- How is the child eating now?
- How often does the child normally have bowel movements?
- Does the child have problems with diarrhea or constipation?
- What other symptoms does the child have?
- Is there any fever, confusion, or pain?
After seeing your health care provider, you may want to add a diagnosis related to irritability to your personal medical record.
ReferencesMcCarthy PL. Evaluation of the sick child in the office and clinic. In: Kliegman RM, Behrman RE, Jenson HB, Stanton BF, eds. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 18th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007:chap 60.
What else can I help you with?
What is the ability to respond to stimulus called?
The ability to respond to a stimulus is called irritability or responsiveness. It refers to an organism's ability to detect and react to changes in its environment.
What is the adverb of irritability?
Irritably. As in: When spurred the horse irritably quickened its pace.
The importance of irritability?
Irritability is vital to life because it helps the organism to be alert to its environmennt. For example, when a person is afraid of snake and you hand her a snake she will freak out. This is what you call irritability.
Can protein shakes cause irritability?
Based on personal experience, YES! Others have reported protein shakes causing irritability as well. One way to minimize the irritability is to eat bananas or include them in the shake.
Why might one see a doctor if experiencing irritability?
One might see a doctor if experiencing irritability because it may be connected to a larger problem. As one example, depression is something that irritability could be a sign/symptom of.
What is irritability of animals?
The irritability of animals is called temperament. As in dog breeds, some are gentle and others have a more profound territorial instinct.
How do you know you have your period?
Bleeding, cramps, irritability.
The ablity to receive and respond to stimuli?
irritability
Characteristics of irritability in a muscle tissue?
Irritability in muscle tissue refers to its ability to respond to stimuli by generating an action potential. This leads to muscle contraction, allowing for movement. Irritability is a key characteristic of muscle tissue that enables it to function in response to various signals from the nervous system.
What are the symptoms of stimulant?
passive behavior disorganization confusion irritability
What are some withdrawls of smoking tabbaco?
Cravings, irritability, anxiety.
The ability of muscle to receive and respond to stimuli?
excitability
