Obtundation

Obtundation
Specialty	Emergency medicine

Obtundation is mild to moderate alertness reduction (altered level of consciousness) with decreased interest in the environment and slower than normal reactivity to stimulation.^{[ citation needed ]} It is distinguished from the much stronger states of unresponsiveness of stupor and coma. Obtundation typically occurs as a result of a medical condition or trauma. ^[1]

There is a wide range of potential causes including head injury, interruption of blood circulation, impaired oxygenation or carbon dioxide toxicity (hypercapnia); central nervous system (CNS) infections, drug intoxication or withdrawal, post-seizure state, hypothermia, and metabolic derangements such as hypoglycemia, hyponatremia, and hypercalcaemic crisis. ^[2]

Symptoms include delayed reaction time, lessened interest in the environment, very short attention span, and excessive sleeping. ^[3]

The root word, obtund, means "dulled or less sharp" (cf. obtuse angle ).

See also

• Altered level of consciousness

References

1. Panayiotopoulos, C. P. (2010). A Clinical Guide to Epileptic Syndromes and their Treatment. Springer Science & Business Media. pp. 76–77. ISBN   9781846286445 . Retrieved 7 March 2018.
2. In Wells, B. G.; in DiPiro, J. T.; in Schwinghammer, T. L.; in DiPiro, C. V. (2017). Pharmacotherapy handbook.
3. "The Difference Between Lethargy, Obtundation, Stupor, and Coma | Time of Care". 2017-11-29. Retrieved 2022-03-26.

External links

• The dictionary definition of obtundation at Wiktionary