Obtundation


Obtundation refers to less than full alertness, typically as a result of a medical condition or trauma.
There is a huge range of potential causes including head injury, interruption of blood circulation, impaired oxygenation or carbon dioxide toxicity, CNS infections, drug intoxication or withdrawal, post-seizure state, hypothermia, and metabolic derangements such as hypoglycemia, hyponatremia, and hypercalcaemic crisis.
The root word, obtund, means "dulled or less sharp" cf. obtuse angle.