Sign in  |  Register

Illustrated Health Encyclopedia
[an error occurred while processing this directive]

Ency. home > Injury > U > Unconsciousness - first aid

Unconsciousness - first aid   

Overview | Symptoms | Treatment | Prevention

Alternative names:

Loss of consciousness - first aid; Coma - first aid

Definition:

Unconsciousness is a state of unawareness or loss of consciousness with inability to respond to normal stimuli.

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.

Ency. home > Injury > U > Unconsciousness - first aid

[an error occurred while processing this directive]