Abstract
Consciousness is defined as the ability to maintain awareness of self and of the environment. Unconsciousness is a condition in which this ability is lost and there is a marked reduced responsiveness to environmental stimuli (Adams et al. Principles of neurology, 6th edn. McGraw-Hill, New York, 1997, pp 344—345). Loss of consciousness (LOC) can last briefly and resolve with no clinical intervention, be prolonged until a specific cause is treated and then be followed by a complete recovery or neurological symptoms, or sustain indefinitely. The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence defines transient loss of consciousness (T-LOC) as a brief and spontaneous loss of consciousness with complete recovery (Cooper et al., Ann Intern Med 155:543—549, 2001). The purpose of this chapter is to describe briefly the causes of transient loss of consciousness and then more thoroughly the possible aetiologies of syncope.
Original language | English |
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Title of host publication | Vasovagal Syncope |
Publisher | Springer International Publishing |
Pages | 27-39 |
Number of pages | 13 |
ISBN (Print) | 9783319091020, 9783319091013 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - Jan 1 2015 |
Keywords
- Classification
- Syncope
- T-Loc
- Transient Loss Of Consciousness
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Medicine(all)