- Amnesia for (not remembering) events before, during, and even after the period of unconsciousness.
- Confusion.
- Drowsiness.
- Headache.
- Inability to speak or move parts of the body (stroke symptoms)
- Lightheadedness.
What are the levels of unconsciousness?
Unconsciousness is when a person is not aware of what is going on and is not able to respond normally to things that happen to and around him or her. 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 someone be unconscious?
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.
What is the first thing you should do if a person is unconscious?
If the person is unconscious but still breathing , put them into the recovery position with their head lower than their body and call an ambulance immediately. Continue watching the patient to ensure they don't stop breathing and continue to breathe normally.
Can unconscious patients hear?
Twenty-five percent of all unconscious patients can hear , understand, and emotionally respond to what is happening in their external environment. However, because of their medical condition, they are incapable of moving or communicating their awareness.
Do you feel pain when unconscious?
The unconscious person may still feel pain as they did when they were awake . For this reason pain medication will continue to be administered but perhaps by another method such as the subcutaneous route (through a butterfly clip in the stomach, arm or leg).
What are the reasons for unconsciousness?
- 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.
What are the 5 levels of unconsciousness?
- Confusion. Confusion describes disorientation that makes it difficult to reason, to provide a medical history, or to participate in the medical examination. ...
- Delirium. Delirium is a term used to describe an acute confusional state. ...
- Lethargy and Somnolence. ...
- Obtundation. ...
- Stupor. ...
- Coma.
What are the four types of unconsciousness?
- Minimally conscious state.
- Persistent vegetative state.
- Obtundation.
- Coma.
- Brain stem death.
- Stupor. Sopor. Sleep. Somnolence.
- Cataplexy.
What are the three levels of mind?
The famed psychoanalyst Sigmund Freud believed that behavior and personality were derived from the constant and unique interaction of conflicting psychological forces that operate at three different levels of awareness: the preconscious, conscious, and unconscious .
How can you tell if someone is sleeping or unconscious?
- suddenly becoming unresponsive.
- having a blank or confused look.
- feeling lightheaded or dizzy, or having trouble standing.
- slurring or mumbling.
- having a slow or rapid heartbeat.
- being unable to speak.
- having difficulty breathing.
- having bluish skin.
What is the first aid for fainting?
- Ask them to lie down.
- Check for other injuries. ...
- Kneel down next to them and raise their legs, supporting their ankles on your shoulders to help blood flow back to the brain.
- Make sure that they have plenty of fresh air. ...
- Reassure the casualty and help them to sit up slowly.
How do you handle an unconscious patient?
- Check the person's airway, breathing, and circulation.
- If you do not think there is a spinal injury, put the person in the recovery position: Position the person lying face up. Turn the person's face toward you. ...
- Keep the person warm until emergency medical help arrives.
Can unconscious patients cry?
A comatose patient may open his eyes, move and even cry while still remaining unconscious. His brain-stem reflexes are attached to a nonfunctioning cortex. Reflex without reflection. Many professionals speak of this condition as a ”persistent vegetative state.
What are signs death is near?
Pulse and heartbeat are irregular or hard to feel or hear . Body temperature drops . Skin on their knees, feet, and hands turns a mottled bluish-purple (often in the last 24 hours) Breathing is interrupted by gasping and slows until it stops entirely.
Can someone be unconscious for 2 days?
A coma often lasts for a few days or weeks. Rarely, it can last for several years. If a person enters a coma, this is a medical emergency. Rapid action may be needed to preserve life and brain function.
