Alteration of Consciousness: Causes & Reasons

Possible Causes for Alteration of Consciousness

The study of consciousness disorders is a scientific challenge, and clinical differentiation among the various sorts of alterations in consciousness is difficult. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]

This process can be transient and can produce dramatic alterations in consciousness that later resolve. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]

There is a subgroup of patients with severe alteration in consciousness who do not meet diagnostic criteria for coma or the vegetative state (VS). [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]

Syncope

consciousness without complete loss of consciousness. [sah.org.au]

Also called fainting. syncope Neurology A transient loss of consciousness not explained by other altered states of consciousness in the history of the Pt, often linked to [medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com]

Syncope must be separated from seizures and other states of altered consciousness such as dizziness, vertigo, coma, and narcolepsy. [healthcentral.com]

Brain Concussion

His team studies acquired brain injury and altered states of consciousness (e.g., comatose, “vegetative”/unresponsive, minimally conscious and locked-in syndromes) confronting [youtube.com]

First, the clinician should establish the presence of any loss or other alteration of consciousness (LOC). [neurosurgery.pitt.edu]

Immediately following head injury, cerebral metabolic rate increases and may account for the initial alterations in consciousness.6,7 In the hours, days, and even weeks following [apsf.org]

Meningeal Tuberculosis

Stage II During this stage, patients might experience altered consciousness without any delirium or coma, although some minor focal neurological symptoms might be present. [hxbenefit.com]

In this study patients with elevated intracranial pressure, altered consciousness, and/or focal neurological deficit received intravenous dexamethasone. [neurologyindia.com]

The British Medical Research Council (MRC) staging system categorizes patients into three stages ( MRC 1948 ): stage I (mild cases) for those without altered consciousness [doi.org]

Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

[…] level of consciousness. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]

A 48-years-old Asian male presented to the emergency department with dyspnoea, altered state of consciousness and pale discolouration of skin after being locked inside a factory [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]

consciousness Loss of consciousness (no matter how brief) A carboxyhemoglobin level > 25% Hyperbaric oxygen therapy should also be considered for pregnant patients, possibly [merckmanuals.com]

Traumatic Brain Injury

TBI is manifested by either loss of consciousness, alteration of consciousness or mental status, or focal neurologic deficits, which may come and go. [pennmedicine.org]

Alteration of consciousness required a report by another individual on the scene. [doi.org]

A minimally conscious state is a condition of severely altered consciousness but with some signs of self-awareness or awareness of one's environment. [mayoclinic.org]

Hyperornithinemia-Hyperammonemia-Homocitrullinuria Syndrome

consciousness, consciousness disturbance ataxia coma developmental delay encephalopathy feeding, protein aversion or intolerance liver failure liver involvement or dysfunction [metagene.de]

Patients manifest protein intolerance, episodic vomiting, growth failure, hepatomegaly, liver failure, and neurologic manifestations, including altered consciousness, seizures [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]

Lactate/Pyruvate ratio normal/inc (urine) Ornithine inc (urine) Transaminases (ASAT/ALAT) normal/inc (serum) Uracil inc (urine) Urea normal/dec (serum) Symptoms lens opacities altered [metagene.de]

Thyrotoxic Crisis

This case nicely reviews the following: The importance of maintaining a broad differential diagnosis in any patient who presents with an altered level of consciousness and [emsimcases.com]

On arrival he presented with tachycardia with a goiter, altered consciousness, atrial fibrillation, and swelling of the abdomen. 3. [physio-pedia.com]

Clinical symptoms that often arise are fever, sweating, tachycardia to atrial fibrillation, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, agitation, and altered consciousness. [biomedpharmajournal.org]

Intracranial Hemorrhage

A nonspecific term used to describe transient alterations or loss of consciousness following closed head injuries. [icd9data.com]

A physical exam may demonstrate a focal motor deficit, neurologic deficits, lethargy, or altered consciousness. [statpearls.com]

[…] level of consciousness Anisocoria, nystagmus Focal neurological deficits Putamen - Contralateral hemiparesis, contralateral sensory loss, contralateral conjugate gaze paresis [en.wikipedia.org]

Anti-NMDA Receptor Encephalitis

Anti-NMDA receptor encephalitis was first described in 2005 when psychiatric features, memory loss and altered consciousness were found in four women with ovarian teratoma [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]

[…] in consciousness (36 vs. 50%), ICU admission (33 vs. 80%), and intubation (5 vs. 60%). [doi.org]

consciousness 5 (50%) 32 (62%) 31 (36%) 4 (67%) Ataxia 6 (60%) 7 (13%) 23 (27%) 0 Focal neurologic signs 6 (60%) 17 (33%) 24 (28%) 2 (33%) Stiff neck 3 (30%) 16 (31%) 27 [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]

Brain Abscess

Clinical manifestations include HEADACHE; SEIZURES; focal neurologic deficits; and alterations of consciousness.(Adams et al., Principles of Neurology, 6th ed, pp712-6) [termsciences.fr]

We report the case of a 43-year-old man who first presented with a seizure and an altered level of consciousness 5 months after halo-vest placement for an odontoid fracture [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]

High fever, shock, meningismus, and altered consciousness are prominent in this condition. CT with IV contrast is needed otherwise an abscess may be missed. [spinalmedicine.com]

Reye Syndrome

[…] in consciousness and, if available, b) a record of the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) containing less than or equal to 8 leukocytes/cu.mm or a histologic specimen demonstrating [wwwn.cdc.gov]

Diagnosis Reye's syndrome may be suspected in a child who begins vomiting three to six days after a viral illness, followed by an alteration in consciousness. [encyclopedia.com]

[…] to see all conditions) Clinical Criteria An illness that meets all of the following criteria: Acute, noninflammatory encephalopathy that is documented clinically by a) an alteration [wwwn.cdc.gov]

Epilepsy

"Dialeptic" seizures have as their main ictal manifestations an alteration of consciousness that is independent of ictal EEG manifestations. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]

[…] in consciousness in addition to what has been described under simple partial seizures. [brainfoundation.org.au]

There was no alteration of consciousness ictally but his seizures were sufficiently distressing to require sedation and ventilation. [jnnp.bmj.com]

Transient Ischemic Attack

The routine clinical symptoms include mildly altered states of consciousness, delirium, and seizures. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]

A patient with TIA will typically have a focal neurologic deficit rather than generalized confusion or alteration of consciousness. E. [clinicaladvisor.com]

[…] level of consciousness dizziness passing out severe headache an abnormal sense of taste an abnormal sense of smell weakness or numbness on just the right or left side of [healthline.com]

Sepsis

The patient's preoperative symptoms of fever, rigidity, altered consciousness, and autonomic instability presented a dilemma whether to proceed with battery exchange to treat [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]

Hyperventilation can also be induced intentionally to achieve an altered state of consciousness such as in the choking game, during Holotropic Breathwork, or in an attempt [en.wikipedia.org]

[…] mental status (for example, altered consciousness, mental confusion or delirium ) Fast respiratory rate (> 22 breaths/minute) Low blood pressure (≤ 100 mm Hg systolic) However [medicinenet.com]

Stroke

[…] in consciousness. [patient.info]

[…] level of consciousness dizziness passing out severe headache an abnormal sense of taste an abnormal sense of smell weakness or numbness on just the right or left side of [healthline.com]

Subarachnoid haemorrhage Subarachnoid haemorrhage should be considered in any patient presenting with sudden-onset, severe and unusual headache with or without any associated alteration [patient.info]

Liver Failure

At admission both pa-tients had a severely affected circulation, altered consciousness and hyperthermia, with a core temperature of > 40 degrees Celsius. [pure.au.dk]

1557The disease process is associated with the development of a coagulopathy of liver aetiology, and clinically apparent altered level of consciousness due to hepatic encephalopathy [en.wikipedia.org]

For example, seizures, focal neurological deficits, severe headache, and encephalopathy refractory to all measures should point towards an alternate cause for altered consciousness [gi.org]

Chronic Alcoholism

Delirium is an acute, fluctuating change in mental status, with inattention, disorganised thinking and altered levels of consciousness. [17] Inouye SK, Schlesinger MJ, Lydon [bestpractice.bmj.com]

Pneumonia

[…] levels of consciousness, such as comatose patients or inebriated individuals. 4 So, unless a virus or bacteria infects the lung tissue that is injured, this type is usually [articles.mercola.com]

For example, people with an altered level of consciousness, brain injury, intoxication, or swallowing difficulty have a high risk of aspiration. [innerbody.com]

Moreover, they are associated with potentially significant adverse events including altered consciousness, arrhythmia and death ( Gunn 2001 ; Kelly 2004 ). [doi.org]

Hypertension

Electroencephalography An electroencephalogram (EEG) may be indicated to evaluate recurrent seizure activity, persistent altered level of consciousness, or altered mental [emedicine.medscape.com]

CT Scanning of the Brain and Liver Brain Perform a CT scan of the brain to exclude cerebral hemorrhage in the setting of seizures, severe headache, or altered level of consciousness [emedicine.medscape.com]

West Nile Encephalitis

Have emergency equipment readily available if the patient has an altered level of consciousness. [quizlet.com]

[…] level of consciousness, dysarthria and dysphagia) plus fever (subjective or objective) within the previous 4 days AND CSF examination within the previous 96 hours showing [clinicaltrials.gov]

[…] encephalitis and/or myelitis as defined below: New neurologic abnormality: Asymmetric extremity weakness without sensory abnormality; or Other neurologic abnormality (including altered [clinicaltrials.gov]

Alcoholic Liver Disease

[…] thirst Fatigue Fever Jaundice Loss of appetite Nausea Weight gain due to ascites Additional symptoms associated with the disease: Abnormally dark or light skin Agitation Altered [puristat.com]

Altered consciousness, enlarged spleen and liver, as well as hypertension and development of esophageal varices are observed in severe cases. [symptoma.com]

For example, seizures, focal neurological deficits, severe headache, and encephalopathy refractory to all measures should point towards an alternate cause for altered consciousness [gi.org]

Bronchial Asthma

Patients with a severe exacerbation and impending respiratory failure typically have some combination of altered consciousness, cyanosis, pulsus paradoxus > 15 mm Hg, oxygen [merckmanuals.com]

Cerebral Malaria

Cerebral malaria is a disease characterized by alterations in consciousness and epileptic attacks; therefore, it requires a rapid evaluation and quick intervention. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]

The 27-year-old woman presented with fever, sudden onset of binocular blindness and altered consciousness 10 days after a short stay in Indonesia. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]

The signs of cerebral malaria include orthostatic hypotension chills, headache, muscle pain, lower blood pressure and altered state of consciousness. [onlymyhealth.com]

Alcohol Withdrawal Delirium

CAM uses the following criteria: An altered level of consciousness (eg, hyperalert, lethargic, stuporous, comatose) or disorganized thinking (eg, rambling, irrelevant conversation [msdmanuals.com]

The most severe form of AWS is AWD, characterized by acute onset of mental status change, inattention, disorganized thought, and altered level of consciousness which fluctuates [jmedscindmc.com]

[…] level of consciousness (RASS not zero) (4) disorganized thinking (e.g. can a stone float on water) MANAGEMENT Early recognition routine monitoring with CAM-ICU or ICDSC seek [lifeinthefastlane.com]

Hypovolemic Shock

Most participants entered the study in normal consciousness (57.7%) and 41.6% had altered consciousness. [journals.plos.org]

The possibility of abusive head trauma in infants and children needs to be considered, especially in situations of altered level of consciousness without obvious cause, or [cps.ca]

Septic Shock

The qSOFA score includes a respiratory rate of 22 breaths/minute or more, systolic blood pressure of 100 mm Hg or less, and altered level of consciousness. [1, 2] For completeness [emedicine.medscape.com]

Altered mental status or depressed level of consciousness secondary to sepsis may require immediate protection of the patient's airway. [atsu.edu]

Acute Mountain Sickness

Importance of AMS lies in its early recognition as it may progress to HACO, clinically identified with onset of ataxia, altered consciousness or both in a person suffering [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]

[…] level of consciousness. [trekking-in-bhutan.com]

Symptoms of mild AMS include: mild to severe headache; nausea; vomiting; lack of appetite; lack of energy; altered balance and coordination; dizziness. [bigislandhikes.com]

Encephalitis

Pathological state of brain parenchymal dysfunction leading to an altered state of consciousness or focal neurological signs. [bestpractice.bmj.com]

[…] of consciousness. [doi.org]

[…] tool=bestpractice.com such as altered state of consciousness, seizures, personality changes, cranial nerve palsies, speech problems, and motor and sensory deficits. [bestpractice.bmj.com]

Legionnaires' Disease

The cardinal symptom is an altered mental state. [verywellhealth.com]

This may include confusion, personality changes, decreased memory, poor concentration, lethargy, and, when severe, loss of consciousness. [verywellhealth.com]