Unconsciousness - first aid

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Unconsciousness - first aid

Definition:

Unconsciousness is when a person is unable to respond to people and other stimuli around him or her. Often, this is called a coma or being in a comatose state.

Other changes in awareness can occur without becoming unconscious. Medically, these are called "Altered Mental Status" or "Changed Mental Status." They include sudden confusion, disorientation, or stupor.

Unconsciousness and any other SUDDEN change in mental status must be treated as a medical emergency.

If someone is awake but less alert than usual, ask a few simple questions -- What is your name? What is the date? How old are you? If the person doesn't know or answers incorrectly, then his or her mental status is diminished.

Alternative Names:

Loss of consciousness - first aid; Coma - first aid; Mental status change; Altered mental status

Considerations:

Being asleep is not the same thing as being unconscious. A sleeping person will respond to loud noises or gentle shaking -- an unconscious person will not.

An unconscious person cannot cough or clear his or her throat. This can lead to death if the airway becomes obstructed.

Causes:

Unconsciousness can be caused by virtually any major illness or injury, as well as substance abuse and alcohol use.
Brief unconsciousness (or fainting) is often caused by dehydration, low blood sugar, or temporary low blood pressure. However, it can also be caused by serious cardiovascular or neurologic illness. Your doctor will determine if you need to be tested for such underlying disorders.
Other causes of fainting include straining during a bowel movement, strenuous coughing, or hyperventilating.

References:

Marx JA, Hockberger RS, Walls RM, eds. Rosen’s Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practice. 5^th Ed. St. Louis, MO: Mosby; 2002.

Noble J, ed. Textbook of Primary Care Medicine. 3^rd Ed. St. Louis, MO: Mosby; 2001.

Auerbach PS. Wilderness Medicine. 4^th Ed. St. Louis, MO: Mosby; 2001.

Review Date: 4/8/2005
Reviewed By: William D. Whetstone M.D., Division of Emergency Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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