Loss of consciousness

Loss of consciousness is a condition in which a person is immobilized and not receptive to external stimuli. During this period, there are violations in the central nervous system. Consider the causes of loss of consciousness, symptoms of the condition and measures to help with fainting.

Causes of loss of consciousness

All causes of loss of consciousness are associated with damage to the brain cells in varying degrees. To trigger an unconscious condition can:

• circulatory disorders resulting from certain diseases (atherosclerosis, thrombosis, etc.) and conditions (ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke);
• oxygen starvation caused by blood loss due to physical trauma or bleeding due to illness;
• oxygen deficiency in cardiovascular and pulmonary pathologies;
• Anemia with a significant decrease in hemoglobin;
• violation of brain nutrition in diabetes mellitus and general exhaustion;
• epileptic syndrome;
• craniocerebral trauma;
• anaphylactic shock , resulting from an allergic reaction;
• toxic shock in severe infectious diseases;
• traumatic shock due to severe pain, freezing, heat stroke;
• poisoning with carbon monoxide due to improper operation of furnaces, gas appliances, car engines;
• Orthostatic syncope is caused by a sudden change in the position of the body at low pressure.

Sometimes the cause of sudden loss of consciousness is increased reactivity to psychological situations, such as fright, excitement, etc.

Symptoms of loss of consciousness

The clinical manifestations of loss of consciousness depend on the cause that caused this condition.

Short-term loss of consciousness (syncope) occurs due to a temporary disturbance of blood flow in the brain. In this case, loss of consciousness happens for a few seconds. Preceded by fainting:

• a feeling of nausea;
• "Flies" in the eyes;
• tinnitus;
• perspiration;
• general weakness.

After that comes a loss of consciousness, characterized by:

• increased or slowed heart rate;
• lowering of pressure;
• pallor of the skin;
• weakening of heart tones;
• the dilatation of the pupils and the decrease in their reaction to light.

With deep fainting, it is possible to develop seizures and involuntary urination.

Epileptic attack is accompanied by sharp involuntary twitching of the body, intense salivation, sometimes screaming.

Long-term loss of consciousness can take hours, days, and involves serious, and sometimes irreversible consequences for the body. In medicine, a persistent loss of consciousness is called "coma".

First aid for unconsciousness

Whatever the reason for the loss of consciousness, it is necessary to call a doctor who will determine how dangerous a person is to the unconscious state.

So far, the ambulance has not arrived:

1. The patient should be laid on his side, while slightly toss his head back.
2. It is important to monitor the pulse and breathing. In case of stopping breathing, turn the patient on his back, start making artificial respiration .
3. If a person comes to himself, he can not rise quickly and make sudden movements.
4. It is necessary to ensure the flow of air (open window, window, door)
5. In case of epileptic seizure, the patient's head should be held, turning slightly sideways, so saliva dribbles through the corner of the mouth, thus preventing its entry into the respiratory tract. After the end of the cramps, the patient should be placed on his side.

If fainting occurs, a comprehensive examination should be performed in order to identify a disease that causes obvious disturbances in the functioning of the body.