Loss Of Consciousness - A Serious Look at Fainting

Introduction

The state of consciousness is characterized by alertness and the ability to respond properly to the surrounding environment of people and things. A person who loses consciousness becomes unaware and disoriented, with a reduced ability to open his eyes and stay awake. The brain is the major organ that is in charge of maintaining consciousness. In order to maintain consciousness, the brain requires adequate amounts of glucose and oxygen. Loss of consciousness mostly occurs when the brain does not receive enough blood supply.

What Is Loss of Consciousness?

Loss of consciousness is characterized by the complete or partial loss of awareness of one’s self and everything in the surroundings. When the loss of consciousness is short-term, spontaneous recovery of consciousness is usually seen, which is known as syncope. An unconscious person who is unable to respond to the surroundings is considered to be in a comatose state or coma.

What Causes Loss of Consciousness?

The definitive cause for loss of consciousness is the deficient blood supply to the brain. However, there are many factors contributing to the loss of consciousness. They are as follows:

• Low blood pressure.

• Over usage of alcohol or certain drugs.

• Any major head injury.

• Choking off an object (an object getting trapped in the windpipe or throat, blocking the airflow).

• Severe dehydration.

• Low blood sugar.

• Intense coughing.

• Situations that create severe emotional stress, like physical or emotional trauma.

• Intense pain.

• Extreme hunger and thirst.

• Serious heart problems like abnormalities in heartbeats, heart valves, and heart muscles.

• Certain bodily movements like coughing, peeing, and stretching.

• Compression of the carotid artery in the neck due to factors like excess stretching or turning of the neck, tight collar, and bone impinging the artery. The carotid artery is a blood vessel in the neck that supplies blood to the brain.

• Seizures.

• Stroke.

• Parkinson’s disease.

• Exercising or playing in the heat for a long time.

What Are the Symptoms of Loss of Consciousness?

The symptoms shown by a person who has lost consciousness will vary depending upon the causative factor responsible for unconsciousness. The common symptoms of loss of consciousness are as follows:

• Unresponsiveness to sound, touch, or other stimuli.

• Unable to remember the events before, during, and after the period of unconsciousness.

• Drowsiness.

• Instability of the body.

• Feeling of intense heat, especially in the face and neck at the beginning, after which the body may turn cold.

• Blurred vision just before losing consciousness.

• Nausea that may be accompanied by vomiting.

• A confused state of mind.

• Cold sweats.

• Feeling of heaviness in the legs and inability to move the body.

• Inability to speak.

• Lightheadedness.

• Rapid heartbeat.

• Loss of bowel or bladder control.

• Stressed out or feeling anxious.

• Headache.

• Hearing ringing sounds in the ears.

• Falling down.

If a person has lost consciousness due to choking, he may show certain additional symptoms. They are as follows:

• Severe difficulty in breathing.

• Producing high-pitched sounds while breathing.

• Weak coughing.

• Skin color may turn bluish.

How to Diagnose Loss of Consciousness?

The following measures are carried out to find out the exact reason for the loss of consciousness. They are:

• Medical History and Physical Examination: The doctor takes a detailed medical history of the patient and carries out a thorough physical examination. If the patient is unable to speak, the doctor collects the information from the patient’s family members to find out if the patient has any medical problems like diabetes, depression, or epilepsy. The doctor also enquires about the medications taken by the patient. The doctor also checks for a history of alcohol consumption or the use of illegal drugs.

• Blood Tests: Usually, a complete blood count (CBC) is advised by the doctor. This test may reveal a low hemoglobin level which may be an indicator of anemia. Blood reports showing elevated white blood cell (WBC) counts may indicate infections like pneumonia or meningitis. The levels of sodium, calcium, and potassium in the blood are also checked.

• Computed Tomography (CT) Scan: CT scan of the head is usually taken. CT scan uses rotating X-rays and a computer to obtain detailed images of the brain. This is done to find out any abnormalities present in the brain.

• Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI): MRI of the head is an imaging test that uses large magnets and computer-generated radio waves to obtain high-resolution images of the brain. The images obtained in MRI are clearer than in CT scans.

• Chest X-Ray: Chest X-rays are taken to evaluate the lungs, heart, airways, and bones of the chest. It can detect if air or fluid has been trapped in the space around the lungs.

• Toxicology Screen: This test is carried out using blood or urine samples to detect the presence of any medications, poison, or illegal drugs consumed by the patient.

• Liver Function Tests: Liver function tests are done to assess liver health by checking the levels of liver enzymes, proteins, or bilirubin in the blood.

• Electrocardiogram (ECG): ECG test is carried out to measure the electrical activity of the heart to find out abnormalities in the heart rate or heart rhythm.

How to Treat Loss of Consciousness?

The treatment of unconsciousness may vary depending on the cause. It is always advisable to take the person to a hospital. However, certain steps can be followed upon seeing a person turning unconscious. They are as follows:

• If the patient has no underlying medical problems, sprinkling cold water on the face and providing a well-ventilated atmosphere may help the patient regain consciousness. Following this, the patient can be asked to have water and any food item.

• If the patient has stopped breathing, cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) should be done. Simple chest compressions also can be done until medical help arrives.

• In some cases, tilting the head and lifting the chin of the patient may open the blocked airway, and the person can breathe comfortably.

• If the patient has low blood sugar levels, giving something sweet to eat or a glucose injection can help in regaining consciousness.

• If the unconsciousness is due to low blood pressure, the doctor may give medications to elevate the blood pressure.

• If the patient is bleeding due to any major injury, the source of injury should be found, and pressure should be applied to the injury site to reduce bleeding until medical help arrives. If it is a spinal injury, it is better to leave the person in the same position until the doctor arrives.

• The person should be made to lie in a position with his legs bent such that his knees and hip are at right angles.

Conclusion

Loss of consciousness for a short period may not be dangerous. However, if the loss of consciousness is due to any heart-related or neurological problems, it can be life-threatening. Repeated episodes of unconsciousness also may be an indication of some underlying medical problem. Hence consultation with a doctor can help to rule out any underlying medical problem or start the right treatment if any underlying cause has been detected.