| Obtundation | |
| Field: | 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.[1] 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.[2]
There is a huge 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.[3]
Symptoms include delayed reaction time, lessened interest in the environment, very short attention span, and excessive sleeping.[4] [5]
The root word, obtund, means "dulled or less sharp" (cf. obtuse angle).