Coma
A coma is a prolonged unconscious state. A coma person lives cold and has minimal brain activity.
Coma symptoms
The following are common indications of a coma:
- Sealed eyes
- Weakened brainstem reflexes, including the inability of pupils to react to light
- No limb reactions other than reflex motions
- No response to anxiety, different from reflex actions
- Abnormal breathing
Causes for coma
A coma can result from a wide range of issues.
They include:
- Brain trauma. Violent crimes or accidents frequently bring these on.
- Blockages in the arteries or blood vessel bulging can cause a reduced or interrupted blood flow to the brain (stroke).
- A coma may result from brain or brainstem tumors.
- Diabetes. A coma may result from blood sugar levels that are either high or too low.
- Continuous seizures may result in a coma.
- Toxin exposure, such as carbon monoxide or lead exposure, can result in comas and brain damage.
- Alcohol and drug addiction. Taking too much alcohol or drugs might put one into a coma.
Recovery from coma
The probability of someone recovering from a coma is influenced mainly by the nature and extent of the brain injury, the person’s age, and the length of time they have been unconscious. However, it is hard to precisely forecast whether the patient will finally recover, how long the coma will remain, and whether they will experience any long-term issues.
A coma-person world
The person appears to be unresponsive to their environment. They would not usually respond to sound or pain or be able to communicate or move voluntarily, and all basic reflexes, such as coughing and swallowing, will be significantly reduced.
They may be able to breathe independently, although some people require a machine to help them live.
Over time, the person may gradually retrieve consciousness. Some may wake up after a few weeks, while others may go into a vegetative or minimally conscious state.
Reviewed by – Dr. Priyanka, MBBS MD Microbiology
Page last reviewed: 16 JULY 2022