| Stupor | |
|---|---|
 | |
| A patient incatatonic stupor | |
| Specialty | Neurology,Psychiatry |
Stupor is the lack of critical mental function and alevel of consciousness, in which an affected person is almost entirely unresponsive and responds only to intense stimuli such aspain.[1] The word derives from theLatinstupor ("numbness, insensibility").[2]
Stupor is characterized by impaired reaction to external stimuli. Those in a stuporous state are rigid, mute and only appear to be conscious, as the eyes are open and follow surrounding objects. If not stimulated externally, a patient with stupor will appear to be in asleepy state most of the time. In some extreme cases of severe depressive disorders the patient can become motionless, lose their appetite and become mute.[1] Short periods of restricted responsivity can be achieved by intensestimulation (e.g. pain, bright light, loud noise, shock).[citation needed]
Stupor is associated withinfectious diseases, complicatedtoxic states (e.g.heavy metals), severehypothermia,mental illnesses (e.g.schizophrenia,major depressive disorder), epilepsy,vascular illnesses (e.g.hypertensive encephalopathy),acute stress reaction (shock),neoplasms (e.g.brain tumors), brain disorders (e.g.alzheimers,dementia,fatal insomnia),B12 deficiency,major trauma, alcohol poisoning, vitamin D excess, and other conditions.[3]
Lesions of the ascendingreticular activation system on height of thepons andmetencephalon have been shown to cause stupor. The incidence is higher after left-sidedlesions.[citation needed]
Because stupors are caused by another health condition, treatment focuses on uncovering and treating the cause. Doctors may administer IV antibiotics or fluids to treat infections and nutritional deficits, or conduct an MRI to check for lesions on the brain.[citation needed]
The dictionary definition ofstupor at Wiktionary