Stupor
A state of near-unconsciousness or insensibility
Stupor is a state of reduced responsiveness and consciousness, where an individual is unresponsive to external stimuli and can only be aroused with vigorous or repeated stimuli. It is a condition that can be caused by various medical, neurological, or psychiatric disorders.
Characteristics[edit | edit source]
Stupor is characterized by a significant decrease in mental and physical activity. Individuals in a stuporous state may appear to be in a deep sleep and are generally unresponsive to their environment. They may not respond to verbal commands and require strong physical stimuli, such as shaking or loud noises, to elicit a response. Even when aroused, the response is often minimal and not sustained.
Causes[edit | edit source]
Stupor can result from a variety of causes, including:
- Neurological disorders: Conditions such as stroke, traumatic brain injury, or brain tumors can lead to stupor by affecting brain function.
- Metabolic disorders: Imbalances in electrolytes, hypoglycemia, or hyperglycemia can cause stupor.
- Infections: Severe infections like meningitis or encephalitis can lead to stupor by causing inflammation of the brain.
- Intoxication: Overdose of drugs or alcohol can depress the central nervous system, leading to stupor.
- Psychiatric disorders: Severe depression or catatonia can manifest as stupor.
Diagnosis[edit | edit source]
Diagnosing stupor involves a thorough medical history and physical examination. Physicians may use the Glasgow Coma Scale to assess the level of consciousness. Additional tests, such as blood tests, CT scans, or MRIs, may be conducted to determine the underlying cause.
Treatment[edit | edit source]
Treatment of stupor focuses on addressing the underlying cause. For instance, if stupor is due to a metabolic imbalance, correcting the imbalance is the primary treatment. In cases of drug overdose, detoxification may be necessary. Supportive care, including ensuring adequate nutrition and hydration, is also crucial.
Prognosis[edit | edit source]
The prognosis for individuals in a stuporous state depends on the underlying cause and the timeliness of treatment. Some individuals may recover fully, while others may have lasting impairments.
Related pages[edit | edit source]
Search WikiMD
Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD
|
WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia |
| Let Food Be Thy Medicine Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates |
Translate this page: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
தமிழ்,
తెలుగు,
Urdu,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
বাংলা
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
Greek,
português do Brasil,
polski,
română,
русский,
Nederlands,
norsk,
svenska,
suomi,
Italian
Middle Eastern & African
عربى,
Turkish,
Persian,
Hebrew,
Afrikaans,
isiZulu,
Kiswahili,
Other
Bulgarian,
Hungarian,
Czech,
Swedish,
മലയാളം,
मराठी,
ਪੰਜਾਬੀ,
ગુજરાતી,
Portuguese,
Ukrainian
Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The information on WikiMD is provided as an information resource only, may be incorrect, outdated or misleading, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. WikiMD expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. By visiting this site you agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, which may from time to time be changed or supplemented by WikiMD. If you do not agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, you should not enter or use this site. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates, categories Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.
Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD
