Coma
People frequently hear the word "coma" in news reports and movies. But many are not aware of its causes, diagnoses, and treatments. Let's discuss coma, including its causes and available treatments.
What is a coma?
- A coma is a prolonged unconscious state caused by various factors, including head trauma, stroke, brain tumor, or medication. Secondary conditions like diabetes or an infection can also trigger a coma. In a coma, the person is alive, but they don't react to the world around them, and their brain is very inactive. A person in coma will be unaware of the surroundings and appears asleep. Unlike deep sleep, they cannot be woken up by any stimulation, including pain.
- A coma is recognized as a medical emergency, and doctors will do a series of blood tests and a brain scan to identify the cause of the coma and begin an appropriate treatment plan. A persistent vegetative state, also called brain death, can occur in people who have been unconscious for a long time.
What triggers a coma in a person?
Head traumas or problems with cerebral blood flow account for more than 50% of all comas. Brain injury can be caused by high blood pressure, hemorrhage, oxygen deprivation, or toxin buildup. Brain damage can be temporary and reversible, but it can also be permanent. Coma can be caused by the following factors:
Hepatitis
Head traumas or problems with cerebral blood flow account for more than 50% of all comas. Brain injury can be caused by high blood pressure, hemorrhage, oxygen deprivation, or toxin buildup. Brain damage can be temporary and reversible, but it can also be permanent. Coma can be caused by the following factors:
Anoxic brain damage
This neurological disorder is caused due to the brain receiving no oxygen. Even a few minutes of no oxygen causes brain tissue cells to die. A heart attack (cardiac arrest), a head injury or trauma, drug overdose, drowning, or poisoning can all result in anoxic brain damage.
Swelling
All swelling does not have to be caused by trauma. A lack of oxygen, an electrolyte imbalance, or severe infections can lead to swelling.
Head injuries
Head injuries can cause brain hemorrhage or swelling. The brain fluid exerts pressure up on the skull due to trauma. As the brain expands, it puts pressure against the brain stem, damaging the RAS (Reticular Activating System).
Internal bleeding
A wound can cause a part of the brain to swell and compress, allowing blood to seep into the brain's layers. The RAS and brainstem are damaged when the brain moves as a result of the pressure. It could put anyone in a coma. High blood pressure and cancer are two non-traumatic causes of brain bleeding.
Stroke
Severe strokes can leave a person unresponsive or in a deep sleep-like state like unconsciousness or coma.
Seizures
A single seizure seldom causes a coma. Constant seizure episodes can result in a coma. Regular seizures might make it harder for the brain to recover between episodes, which could put someone in this condition.
Blood sugar
If a person's blood sugar levels remain extremely high, he or she may fall into a coma. This coma is usually recovered once the blood sugar is stabilized. However, chronic hypoglycemia can result in lifelong brain damage and unconsciousness.
Infections
Coma can also result from neurological illnesses such meningitis and encephalitis.
Heart problems
The brain needs oxygen in order to function properly. A sudden cardiac arrest might cut off the brain's supply of oxygen and blood resulting in coma.
Toxins
Some chemicals, such as ammonia, carbon dioxide, and urea, can accumulate to toxic levels in the body if not eliminated. Large levels of alcohol and drugs can also damage neuron function in the brain.
Is there an effective medication for coma?
Comas are mainly treated with supportive care in an intensive care unit and often need life support until their condition improves. Also, the treatment of a coma is dependent on the causative substance.
With immediate medical attention, a possibly curable coma can be treated. If a brain infection is a reason, doctors may prescribe antibiotics. In the case of a diabetic coma, the body may need glucose, which may solve the problem.Surgery may be necessary to remove a tumor or relieve pressure on the brain if edema is the cause. Medication can also help with swelling. The same is true for seizures. They could also be treated with medication.
Conclusion
When someone is in a coma, it might be difficult to predict their recovery. Each patient is unique, therefore it is critical to consult with a healthcare provider. Many patients can wake up from a coma after a few weeks. However, they might be quite disabled. It is, nevertheless, always advisable to get medical help.
Note:
Brain death differs from a coma. A coma gives the chance for reversal, while brain death is irreversible.
