title: [Unconsciousness].
abstract: Unconsciousness is a directly life-threatening condition that requires immediate action to reveal its cause. The cause of unconsciousness is usually metabolic or toxic and in the rest of the cases structural and intracranial. Unconsciousness results from a disturbance of function of either the reticular activating system or both cerebral hemispheres. Treatment of an unconscious person begins with the confirmation of vital functions. Special attention is paid on head and neck injuries, meningism, pupillary inequality and papillary stasis. Both radiological and laboratory investigations are usually required. Owing to its quickness, CT scan of the head is the basic neurological examination, adequately revealing the common intracranial causes. Treating an unconscious patient calls for the complete range of a physician's expertise. Determined action and knowledge of common and treatable diseases will, however, bring the situation under control.
authors.forename: Mikko
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kallela
authors.forename: Olli
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Häppölä
authors.forename: Heidi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Eriksson
mesh_terms: D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D003952:Diagnostic Imaging; D006801:Humans; D014474:Unconsciousness / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy*