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Consciousness - decreased - Overview

Alternative Names

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

Definition of Consciousness - decreased:

Decreased consciousness is reduced alertness or awareness.

Considerations:

A persistent coma is called vegetative state.

Common Causes:

Many 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 fatigue or 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

Reviewed last on: 4/21/2009
Jacob L. Heller, MD, Emergency Medicine, Virginia Mason Medical Center, Seattle, Washington, Clinic. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

References

Blok 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.

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