What are the Causes and Effects of Loss of Consciousness?

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Courtesy of Godoy Medical Forensics

 

Causes

There is a long list of causes, including:

  • Alcohol or drug intoxication/overdose
  • Seizures
  • Diabetes
  • Trauma
  • Infection
  • Psychogenic (i.e. panic attack)
  • Stroke
  • Dehydration
  • Heart arrhythmia

Syncope

The medical term for transient loss of consciousness (passing out) is “syncope.”

Symptoms

LOC can occur without warning, or a person may have symptoms that allude to the cause.

Amnesia

Amnesia is an indicator of loss of consciousness, even if the person does not think that he or she lost consciousness. “I don’t think I passed out, but I don’t remember what happened.”

Concussions

LOC is not required for a concussion to be diagnosed.

 

 

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