what is torpor

The brain is one of the organs that constantly withstand many of the aggressions that the body suffers in different parts of the body, it is a faithful fighter but there comes a time when the load is simply too great and it falls into a state of unconsciousness. Among these states is torpor, have you ever heard of it? In this article, we will explain it to you.

Therefore, continue reading and find out how possible it is to suffer from this state.

WHAT IS TORPOR?

It is known as torpor, deeply suppressing consciousness and together with it, the loss of the ability to produce motor acts voluntarily and therefore the safety of reflexes. Therefore, a person in this state cannot respond to environmental conditions or complete tasks, even ignoring the questions asked.

A person in torpor decreases muscle tone, has slow responses to light in the pupils even with the corneal reflex, and it is even explained that this condition appears due to damage to nerve structures of various etiologies, due to lack of oxygen to the brain or exposure to substances from the body or from outside.

IS TORPOR THE SAME AS COMA?

Of course not, they are very different states but it is usually possible for the torpor to turn into a coma since if the symptoms become deeper each time, complete loss of consciousness and developing a coma is possible. As there is no reaction to stimuli, the pupils do not react to light, although they do react to pain, to sudden sounds but without fully recovering their senses.

An individual in torpor possibly with a short time of intense and sudden stimuli can react but in the coma, there is no response, therefore the person will not come out of it by strong stimulation.

WHAT ARE THE CAUSES OF TORPOR?

There are causes of the appearance of torpor such as neurological and metabolic disorders, among others; Here are some of them: 

Neurological causes:

• Hemorrhagic or ischemic stroke.
• Brain injuries with bruises or concussion, hemorrhage, and hematoma.
• Abscesses, hemorrhages, brain tumor processes with edema and brain swelling.
• Hydrocephalus or dropsy.
• Vasculitis.
• Infectious-inflammatory diseases such as meningitis, encephalitis.
• Epictetus, seizures every half hour.
• Aneurysm rupture with subarachnoid hemorrhage.

Metabolic causes:

• Diabetes, when glucose concentration is not normal.
• Uremia, excessive protein accumulation.
• Hypothyroidism is due to insufficient hormone production by the thyroid gland.
• Decreased sodium concentration in the blood.
• Liver and kidney failure.

Other causes of torpor are:

• Severe hypertensive crisis.
• Heat and sunstroke.
• Toxic substances such as barbiturates, carbon monoxide, methyl alcohol.

HOW LONG CAN A PERSON BE IN A STATE OF TORPOR?

The duration of this state will largely depend on what caused the torpor and these can range from a few seconds off to a few months.

WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF SOPOR?

The symptoms of sopor go together with the underlying disease that causes it and will be severe depending on the function of the nervous system. The individual may have dull sensations, show no answer to what is asked, ignore questions, or change around him, his reflexes are reduced: breathing, swallowing function, corneal reflex.

A hyperkinetic sub come can be observed, with non-directional motor acts that are not at all united and incoherent, there is no contact with the person. In addition to presenting brain injuries, hemorrhage, seizures and muscle hypertonia, and paralysis.

WHAT IS THE TREATMENT FOR SOPOR?

First, the function of the respiratory system is guaranteed, through intubation and blood supply, if there is a low glucose level, vitamin B1 and a solution from the same intravenous line are placed, and naloxone is given, if there is suspicion of injury, in addition to immobilizes the neck with a neck brace.

Sopor is treated in the ICU with monitoring of vital functions such as body temperature, cardiac activity, breathing, and blood pressure. The ideal is to eliminate the reasons that originated the respective state, for them the respective medications are also applied.

WHAT IS THE PROGNOSIS AFTER SUFFERING FROM SOPOR?

The prognosis of sopor will depend on the nature of its cause, how deep the damage to the nerve structures has been, how suitable and effective the opportunity for therapeutic treatment is, these are the possible prognoses:

• If it has been detected early and treated quickly, this will contribute to the prompt elimination of the pathology and recovery of consciousness.
• Statistics reveal that if the torpor is due to an ischemic stroke, the prognosis is quite favorable.
• If it is from a hemorrhagic stroke, it leads in most cases to death.
• If the reason is due to poisoning and it is attended to promptly, it is favorable.
• It should also be emphasized that if there is fatal brain damage with fixation of the pupils and the complete absence of oculovestibular reflexes, after 3 days after the myocardium stops, the chances are minimal to be favorable.
• If it is due to a reversible metabolic alteration, recovery is favorable.
• Due to an overdose of barbiturates and immediate medical attention, prompt recovery is likely.  
• Disappearance of the reflexes of the stem, absence of motor reactions, with immediate attention and adequate therapeutic treatment, the probability is high of recovery.

CAN THE STATE OF TORPOR BE AVOIDED?

Avoiding a state of torpor can probably be avoided and for this, the following measures should be taken into account:

• The use of narcotic substances should be completely abandoned. and
• Stop consuming liquids that contain alcohol.
• Regularly monitor blood glucose levels.
• Control blood pressure.
• Monitor the psycho-emotional state of people with metabolic diseases or other conditions present.