obtundation

{{Short description|Mild-to-moderate reduction in conscious awareness}}

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Obtundation is mild to moderate alertness reduction (altered level of consciousness) with decreased interest in the environment and slower than normal reactivity to stimulation.{{Citation needed|date=December 2024}} 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.{{cite book |last1=Panayiotopoulos |first1=C. P. |title=A Clinical Guide to Epileptic Syndromes and their Treatment |date=2010 |publisher=Springer Science & Business Media |isbn=9781846286445 |pages=76–77 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=yJQQzPTcbYIC&q=Obtundation |access-date=7 March 2018 |language=en}}

There is a wide 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.In Wells, B. G.; in DiPiro, J. T.; in Schwinghammer, T. L.; in DiPiro, C. V. (2017). Pharmacotherapy handbook.

Symptoms include delayed reaction time, lessened interest in the environment, very short attention span, and excessive sleeping.{{Cite web |date=2017-11-29 |title=The Difference Between Lethargy, Obtundation, Stupor, and Coma {{!}} Time of Care |url=https://www.timeofcare.com/the-difference-between-lethargy-obtundation-stupor-and-coma/ |access-date=2022-03-26 |language=en-US}}

The root word, obtund, means "dulled or less sharp" (cf. obtuse angle).