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Consciousness - decreased

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Definition:

Decreased consciousness refers to diminished alertness or awareness.

Alternative Names:

Stuporous; Mental status - decreased; Loss of alertness; Decreased consciousness; Alertness - decreased; Changes in consciousness; Obtundation; Coma

Considerations:

Decreased consciousness may result from a multitude of conditions including intoxication (drug, alcohol, or toxin), metabolic abnormalities, seizure activity ( epilepsy ), central nervous system diseases and conditions, head trauma , shock , decreased oxygen ( hypoxia ), and decreased blood pressure (hypotension).

Decrease in consciousness, unconsciousness , and coma almost always require medical evaluation (with the possible exception of alcohol intoxication , simple fainting , or a previously recognized seizure disorder ).

Persistent coma is called vegetative state.

Common Causes:

• head trauma
• extreme fatigue or sleep deprivation
• seizure activity
• stroke (CVA)
• heart failure
• arrhythmia
• diabetic coma ( diabetic hyperglycemic hyperosmolar coma )
• hypoglycemia
• ketoacidosis
• head injury
• drug intoxication (for example, from pain killers, anticonvulsants, antihistamines, benzodiazepines, digoxin, ethanol (see ethanol overdose ), heavy metals, hydrocarbons, barbiturates, insulin, lithium, organophosphates, phencyclidine , phenothiazines - oral, salicylates - oral, or tricyclic antidepressants)
• electrolyte abnormality (hypernatremia, hypercalcemia)
• infection

• Review Date: 10/17/2005
• Reviewed By: Kevin Sheth, M.D., Department of Neurology, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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