Coma (overview,symptoms,causes,treatment,..)

What is coma?

A coma is a condition of chronic fainting that can be caused by a variety of problems - severe head injury, stroke, brain tumor, drug or alcohol abuse, or even a basic illness, such as diabetes or an infection.

A coma is a medical emergency. Immediate action is needed to maintain brain health and function. Doctors often order a blood test and a CT scan of the brain to try to determine the cause of the coma to begin treatment.

A comma usually lasts longer than a few weeks. People who do not know for a long time may switch to a more vegetative state.

Depending on the cause of the coma, people who have been in a vegetative state for more than a year are less likely to wake up.

Symptoms

Signs and symptoms of coma often include:

• Eyes closed
• Depressed attitudes, such as students who do not respond to the light
• There are no organ responses, other than reflex movements
• There is no response to painful stimuli, other than reflex movements
• Abnormal breathing

Causes

Many types of problems can cause commas. Some examples are:

• Traumatic brain injury. Traumatic brain injuries, often caused by car crashes or violent acts, are common causes of coma.
• Stroke. Reduced or disturbed blood supply to the brain (stroke), which can be caused by blocked arteries or ruptured blood vessels, can lead to fainting.
• Tumors. Tumors in the brain or in the brainstem can cause coma.
• Diabetes. For people with diabetes, high blood sugar levels (hyperglycemia) or very low (hypoglycemia) can cause coma.
• Lack of oxygen. People who have survived drowning or those who have regained strength after a heart attack may not be able to wake up due to a lack of oxygen in the brain.
• Diseases. Diseases such as encephalitis and meningitis cause inflammation of the brain, spinal cord or tissues around the brain. Severe conditions of these diseases can cause brain damage or coma.
• Seizures. Continued seizures can lead to coma.
• Poison. Exposure to toxins, such as carbon monoxide or lead, can cause brain damage and coma.
• Drugs and alcohol. Drug or alcohol overuse can lead to coma

Complications

Although most people recover slowly from a coma, others get into a coma or die. Some people who recover from a coma may have major or minor disabilities.

Complications can develop during coma, including pressure sores, bladder infections, blood clots in the legs and other problems.

What you can do as a visitor

The experience of being in a coma varies from person to person. Some people feel they remember the events that took place around them while they were in a coma, while others do not.

Some people have reported feeling very reassured when there is a loved one when they come out of a coma.

When visiting a friend or a loved one in a coma, you may find the following suggestions helpful:

when you arrive, announce who you are

talk to them about your day as you used to - be aware that everything you say in front of them can be heard

show them your love and support - even just holding hands or stroking their skin can be a great comfort

Research has also shown that rejuvenating key senses - touch, hearing, sight, and smell - can help a person recover from a coma.

As well as talking to this person and holding his hand, you may want to try playing their favorite music over the headphones, putting flowers in their room or spraying your favorite perfume on them.

Treatment

A coma is a medical emergency. Doctors will first check the airway of the affected person and help maintain respiration (blood) and blood circulation. Doctors can provide respiratory assistance, blood transfusions, and other supportive care.

Emergency personnel can inject glucose or antibiotics into the arteries, or before the results of a blood test, in the event of a diabetes shock or a brain infection.

Treatment varies, depending on the cause of the comma. Procedures or medications to reduce brain stress due to inflammation of the brain may be required.

If the coma is the result of an overdose, doctors will prescribe medication to treat the condition. If the coma is the result of a coma, doctors will prescribe antiretroviral drugs.

Other therapies may focus on medications or treatments to deal with the underlying disease, such as diabetes or liver disease.

Sometimes the cause of the comma can be completely reversed and the affected person regains normal function. However, if the affected person is severely damaged in the brain, he or she may become permanently paralyzed or relapse. A person can get into a persistent vegetative state or become mentally ill.