Stupor

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Stupor

Template:Search infobox Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]

Overview

Stupor is the lack of critical cognitive function and level of consciousness wherein a sufferer is almost entirely unresponsive and only responds to base stimuli such as pain. A person is also rigid and mute and only appears to be conscious as the eyes are open and follow surrounding objects (Gelder, Mayou and Geddes 2005). The word derives from the Latin stupure, meaning insensible. Being characterised by impairments of reactions to external stimuli, it usually appears in infectious diseases, complicated toxic states, severe hypothermia, mental illnesses (e.g. schizophrenia, severe clinical depression), vascular illnesses (e.g. hypertensive encephalopathy), neoplasms (e.g. brain tumors), vitamin D deficiency and so on.

Stupor is a common condition which presents itself in response to or during emergency medical services. It is defined as a clinical syndrome of akinesis and mutism but with relative preservation of conscious awareness. In other-words, is a state of reduced awareness.

Differentiating stupor from other conditions

Stupor is not the same thing as a coma or a vegetative state. For example, some people who become injured suddenly with a concussion or some other cognitive impairment resulting from injury enter a stupor, where they are partially aware of their surroundings, or they become unconscious until they are revived by themselves or by others. This is often mistaken for delirium and treated with Haldol and or other anti-psychotic drugs.

See also

• Torpor

References

• Ahuja 4th Edition Page 206 ISBN 81-7179-662-1

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