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.
How do you know if someone is 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.
Who is an unconscious person?
Unconsciousness is
when a person is unable to respond to people and activities
. Doctors often call this a coma or being in a comatose state
Does an unconscious person need CPR?
If someone is unconscious and not breathing normally,
it's very important to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) immediately
. Doing so can save lives, for instance after a heart attack.
What are the types of 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.
How long does unconsciousness last?
It depends on the severity of the injury. 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 wake up an unconscious person?
Do not give an unconscious person anything by mouth
; even if he/she regains consciousness, do not give anything until consulting a physician. Do not attempt to wake an unconscious person by slapping or shaking him/her or by putting cold water on the person.
What causes a person to be unconscious?
Unconsciousness can be caused by
nearly any major illness or injury
. It can also be caused by substance (drug) and alcohol use. Choking on an object can result in unconsciousness as well. Brief unconsciousness (or fainting) is often a result from dehydration, low blood sugar, or temporary low blood pressure.
Do 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.
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.
When should you not do CPR?
You should stop giving CPR to a victim if
you experience signs of life
. If the patient opens their eyes, makes a movement, sound, or starts breathing, you should stop giving compression. However, when you stop and the patient becomes uncurious again, you should resume CPR.
Can people snore when unconscious?
Nasal airways
are helpful for patients who are unconscious but not deeply so (ie: stuporous). These patients often have a gag reflex but exhibit signs of inability to protect their airway, like snoring.
What can happen if you leave someone who is unconscious and breathing lying on their back?
When a casualty is unconscious, their muscles become relaxed, including their swallowing muscles, and if the casualty is not placed on their side, they can choke on their own fluids. If an unconscious casualty is left on their back,
their tongue may fall back and block the airway
.
What are the four types of unconsciousness?
- Minimally conscious state.
- Persistent vegetative state.
- Obtundation.
- Coma.
- Brain stem death.
- Stupor. Sopor. Sleep. Somnolence.
- Cataplexy.
What happens in the brain during unconsciousness?
During unconsciousness,
disrupted connectivity, reduced efficiency, and a constrained repertoire of dynamic states create inhospitable conditions for information transmission and integration
, which is likely required for normal consciousness.
Is Sleeping unconscious or subconscious?
In other words, a
sleeping person is unconscious to most things happening
in the environment. The biggest difference between someone who is asleep and someone who has fainted or gone into a coma is the fact that a sleeping person can be aroused if the stimulus is strong enough.
