Prostration

PROSTRATION (from Latin prosterno - I stretch out), a term defining the state of the organism at the moment of greatest weakening of general neuromuscular tone; a well-chosen term that best characterizes the external appearance of the patient in this state - the body being in a spread-out position. Prostration does not define the essence of the suffering, being only an external expression of the general reaction of the nervous system to endo- and exogenous factors affecting the energy settings of the organism. Prostration as a resulting state of general adynamia of the organism (see Adynamia) can be observed in various diseases causing loss of strength. A tendency to reactive states in the form of prostration indicates the predominance of asthenic properties of the somatic and psychic constitution. Somatic weakness, hypotonic musculature, small heart size, etc., in asthenics create favorable conditions for the appearance of the symptom complex of prostration during fatigue on the basis of prolonged and excessive strains of the neuromuscular system, especially of the cardiac muscle, as well as during exhaustion on the basis of starvation and during severe infectious diseases. Predisposition to asthenic, inhibitory affective reactions (melancholy, shame, fear, etc.) also facilitates the occurrence of prostration after severe shocks. In pathological states of personality, the symptom complex of prostration is observed as a result of severe depressions. - Clinical symptomatology details the adynamic reactions of the organism, guided by the state of consciousness at these moments. Prostration with preservation of consciousness, when only somatic reactions are absent, is characterized as the torpid form; with partially disturbed consciousness, when disorders in the sphere of perceptions, associative processes, and orientation in time and space are observed, they speak of the stuporous form of prostration. Externally similar to prostration are various forms of general weakness that occur acutely and are accompanied by deep clouding of consciousness and a sharp decline in cardiac activity - syncope, coma, collapse (the differentiation of these concepts - see COLLAPSE).