What medical conditions cause unconsciousness?
What medical conditions cause unconsciousness?
Common causes of temporary unconsciousness include:
- low blood sugar.
- low blood pressure.
- syncope, or the loss of consciousness due to lack of blood flow to the brain.
- neurologic syncope, or the loss of consciousness caused by a seizure, stroke, or transient ischemic attack (TIA)
- dehydration.
- problems with the heart’s rhythm.
How does a heart attack cause unconsciousness?
When sudden cardiac arrest occurs, reduced blood flow to your brain causes unconsciousness. If your heart rhythm doesn’t rapidly return to normal, brain damage occurs and death results.
What causes sudden unconsciousness?
Brief unconsciousness (or fainting) is often a result from dehydration, low blood sugar, or temporary low blood pressure. It can also be caused by serious heart or nervous system problems. A doctor will determine if the affected person needs tests.
Can you pass out from a heart attack?
People with a heart attack rarely have fainting when the heart attack occurs (more common in older people). Other uncommon heart muscle disorders called cardiomyopathies can cause fainting, particularly during exercise, typically because of an abnormal heart rhythm.
What are the levels of unconsciousness?
Level of consciousness
- Fainting is a brief form of unconsciousness.
- Coma is a deep, prolonged state of unconsciousness.
- General anesthesia is a controlled period of unconsciousness.
How long can you be unconscious for?
If you lose consciousness briefly, and suffer a concussion, 75 to 90 percent of people will fully recover in a few months. But severe damage to the brain can cause unconsciousness for days, weeks, or even longer.
Can you have a heart attack and not lose consciousness?
A. People experiencing a heart attack often stay conscious and awake. In an acute heart attack, there’s usually one major blockage that some blood can flow around. The circulation is not as strong, but blood still reaches vital organs and the brain, so the person stays awake.
What to do if someone is having a heart attack and is unconscious?
What to do if you or someone else may be having a heart attack
- Call 911 or your local emergency number.
- Chew and swallow an aspirin while waiting for emergency help.
- Take nitroglycerin, if prescribed.
- Begin CPR if the person is unconscious.
What are the signs and symptoms of unconsciousness?
People who become unconscious don’t respond to loud sounds or shaking. They may even stop breathing or their pulse may become faint. This calls for immediate emergency attention. The sooner the person receives emergency first aid, the better their outlook will be.
What is the difference between fainting and unconsciousness?
Fainting is not the same as being asleep or unconscious. When a person faints, it’s usually temporary and the person can be revived in a few minutes. Someone who is unconsciousness, however, won’t respond to attempts to revive him.
When do you become unconscious from cardiac arrest?
Brain Activity and Cardiac Arrest. The common medical understanding is that cardiac arrest patients become unconscious within 20 seconds of the loss of blood flow (the heart stops).
What causes temporary unconsciousness due to low blood pressure?
Common causes of temporary unconsciousness include: low blood sugar. low blood pressure. syncope, or the loss of consciousness due to lack of blood flow to the brain. neurologic syncope, or the loss of consciousness caused by a seizure, stroke, or transient ischemic attack (TIA)
What happens to a person when they become unconscious?
Unconsciousness is the state in which a person is unable to respond to stimuli and appears to be asleep. They may be unconscious for a few seconds — as in fainting — or for longer periods of time. People who become unconscious don’t respond to loud sounds or shaking. They may even stop breathing or their pulse may become faint.
What happens if you have unconsciousness due to mi?
Unconsciousness due to an MI usually implies a cardiac arrest which would imply a period of time where the brain and heart receive no oxygen. The longer those two organs go without blood/oxygen the greater the chance of tissue death – ie – brain damage and/or heart muscle death.