Decreased alertness
Stuporous; Mental status - decreased; Loss of alertness; Decreased consciousness; Changes in consciousness; Obtundation; Coma; UnresponsivenessDecreased alertness is a state of reduced awareness and is often a serious condition.
A coma is the most severe state of decreased alertness from which a person cannot be awakened. A long-term coma is called a vegetative state.
Causes
Many conditions can cause decreased alertness, including:
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Chronic kidney disease
Chronic kidney disease
Chronic kidney disease is the slow loss of kidney function over time. The main job of the kidneys is to remove wastes and excess water from the body...
Read Article Now Book Mark Article - Extreme tiredness or lack of sleep
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High blood sugar or low blood sugar
High blood sugar
High blood sugar is also called high blood glucose, or hyperglycemia. High blood sugar almost always happens in people who have diabetes. High blood...
Read Article Now Book Mark ArticleLow blood sugar
Low blood sugar is a condition that occurs when the body's blood sugar (glucose) decreases and is too low. Blood sugar below 70 mg/dL (3. 9 mmol/L) i...
Read Article Now Book Mark Article - High or low blood sodium concentration
- Infection that is severe or involves the brain
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Liver failure
Liver failure
Loss of brain function occurs when the liver is unable to remove toxins from the blood. This is called hepatic encephalopathy (HE). This problem ma...
Read Article Now Book Mark Article - Thyroid conditions that cause low thyroid hormone levels or very high thyroid hormone levels
Low thyroid hormone levels
Hypothyroidism is a condition in which the thyroid gland does not make enough thyroid hormone. This condition is often called underactive thyroid....
Read Article Now Book Mark ArticleVery high thyroid hormone levels
Hyperthyroidism is a condition in which the thyroid gland makes too much thyroid hormone. The condition is often called overactive thyroid.
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Brain disorders or injury, such as:
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Dementia or Alzheimer disease (advanced cases)
Dementia
Dementia is a loss of brain function that occurs with certain diseases. It affects one or more brain functions such as memory, thinking, language, j...
Read Article Now Book Mark ArticleAlzheimer disease
Dementia is a loss of brain function that occurs with certain diseases. Alzheimer disease (AD) is the most common form of dementia. It affects memo...
Read Article Now Book Mark Article - Head trauma (moderate to severe cases)
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Seizure
Seizure
A seizure is the physical changes in behavior that occurs during an episode of specific types of abnormal electrical activity in the brain. The term ...
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Stroke (usually when the stroke is either massive or has destroyed certain areas of the brain such as the brainstem or thalamus)
Stroke
A stroke occurs when blood flow to a part of the brain stops. A stroke is sometimes called a "brain attack. " If blood flow is cut off for longer th...
Read Article Now Book Mark Article - Infections that affect the brain, such as meningitis or encephalitis
Meningitis
Meningitis is an infection of the membranes covering the brain and spinal cord. This covering is called the meninges.
Read Article Now Book Mark ArticleEncephalitis
Encephalitis is irritation and swelling (inflammation) of the brain, most often due to infections.
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Injury or accidents, such as:
- Diving accidents and near drowning
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Heat stroke
Heat stroke
Heat emergencies or illnesses are caused by exposure to extreme heat or sun. Heat illnesses can be prevented by being careful in hot, humid weather....
Read Article Now Book Mark Article - Very low body temperature (hypothermia)
Hypothermia
Hypothermia is dangerously low body temperature, below 95°F (35°C).
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Heart or breathing problems, such as:
- Abnormal heart rhythm
- Lack of oxygen from any cause
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Low blood pressure
Low blood pressure
Low blood pressure occurs when blood pressure is much lower than normal. This means the heart, brain, and other parts of the body may not get enough...
Read Article Now Book Mark Article - Severe heart failure
Heart failure
Heart failure is a condition in which the heart is no longer able to pump oxygen-rich blood to the rest of the body efficiently. This causes symptom...
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- Very high blood pressure
High blood pressure
Blood pressure is a measurement of the force exerted against the walls of your arteries as your heart pumps blood to your body. Hypertension is the ...
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Toxins and drugs, such as:
- Alcohol use (binge drinking or damage from long-term alcohol use)
- Exposure to heavy metals, hydrocarbons, or toxic gases
- Overuse of drugs such as opiates, narcotics, sedatives, and anti-anxiety or seizure medicines
- Side effect of almost any medicine, such as those used to treat seizures, depression, psychosis, and other illnesses
Home Care
Get medical help for any decrease in consciousness, even when it is due to alcohol intoxication, fainting, or a seizure disorder that has already been diagnosed.
Fainting
Fainting is a brief loss of consciousness due to a drop in blood flow to the brain. The episode most often lasts less than a couple of minutes and y...
Read Article Now Book Mark ArticlePeople with epilepsy or other seizure disorders should wear a medical ID bracelet or necklace describing their condition. They should avoid situations that have triggered a seizure in the past.
When to Contact a Medical Professional
Get medical help if someone has decreased alertness that cannot be explained. Call 911 or the local emergency number if normal alertness does not return quickly.
What to Expect at Your Office Visit
Most often, a person with decreased consciousness will be evaluated in an emergency room.
The health care provider will perform a physical examination. The exam will include a detailed look at the heart, breathing, and nervous system.
Physical examination
During a physical examination, a health care provider checks your body to determine if you do or do not have a physical problem. A physical examinati...
Read Article Now Book Mark ArticleThe health care team will ask questions about the person's medical history and symptoms, including:
Time pattern
- When did the decreased alertness happen?
- How long did it last?
- Has it ever happened before? If so, how many times?
- Did the person behave the same way during past episodes?
Medical history
- Does the person have epilepsy or a seizure disorder?
- Does the person have diabetes?
Diabetes
Diabetes is a long-term (chronic) disease in which the body cannot regulate the amount of sugar in the blood.
Read Article Now Book Mark Article - Has the person been sleeping well?
- Has there been a recent head injury?
Other
- What medicines does the person take?
- Does the person use alcohol or drugs on a regular basis?
- What other symptoms are present?
Tests that may be done include:
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Chest x-ray
Chest x-ray
A chest x-ray is an x-ray of the chest, lungs, heart, large arteries, ribs, and diaphragm.
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Complete blood count (CBC) or blood differential
Complete blood count (CBC)
A complete blood count (CBC) test measures the following:The number of white blood cells (WBC count)The number of red blood cells (RBC count)The numb...
Read Article Now Book Mark ArticleBlood differential
The blood differential test measures the percentage of each type of white blood cell (WBC) that you have in your blood. It also reveals if there are...
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CT scan or MRI of the head
CT scan
A head computed tomography (CT) scan uses many x-rays to create pictures of the head, including the skull, brain, eye sockets, and sinuses.
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A head MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) is an imaging test that uses powerful magnets and radio waves to create pictures of the brain and surrounding...
Read Article Now Book Mark Article - Oxygen level (pulse oximetry or blood gas)
Blood gas
Blood gases are a measurement of how much oxygen and carbon dioxide are in your blood. They also determine the acidity (pH) of your blood.
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Electrocardiogram (ECG)
Electrocardiogram (ECG)
An electrocardiogram (ECG) is a test that records the electrical activity of the heart.
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Electroencephalogram (EEG)
Electroencephalogram (EEG)
An electroencephalogram (EEG) is a test to measure the electrical activity of the brain.
Read Article Now Book Mark Article - Metabolic panel and liver function tests
- Toxicology panel and alcohol level
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Urinalysis
Urinalysis
Urinalysis is the physical, chemical, and microscopic examination of urine. It involves a number of tests to detect and measure various compounds th...
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Treatment depends on the cause of the decreased alertness. How well a person does depends on the cause of the condition.
The longer the person has had decreased alertness, the worse the outcome.
References
Berger JR, Price R. Stupor and coma. In: Jankovic J, Mazziotta JC, Pomeroy SL, Newman NJ, eds. Bradley and Daroff's Neurology in Clinical Practice. 8th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2022:chap 5.
Lei C, Smith C. Depressed consciousness and coma. In: Walls RM, ed. Rosen's Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practice. 10th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2023:chap 12.
Review Date: 4/29/2023
Reviewed By: Joseph V. Campellone, MD, Department of Neurology, Cooper Medical School of Rowan University, Camden, NJ. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.