Coma is a dangerous condition in which the patient remains unconscious for years. It causes a complete shutdown of consciousness without signs of mental life. Coma comes from a Greek word meaning deep sleep. However, it is in stark contrast to even deep sleep. Periods of sleep can be interrupted using external stimuli, and a person can fall asleep again. While in a coma, no irritation can bring the patient to consciousness and if the patient is not treated in time, a coma can be fatal.
Coma is not an independent disease. It manifests itself as a development of the underlying disease, trauma, or other factors that have caused disruptions in the parts of the brain and central nervous system.
The reasons
A variety of reasons can cause a coma, and the most common are the following:
- infectious diseases of the brain,
- hormonal imbalances and diseases associated with the hormonal system (diabetes),
- decreased electrolytes and dehydration,
- mechanical damage to the brain, trauma to the skull,
- brain damage from lack of oxygen,
- overdose of alcohol, drugs or certain medicinal substances,
- electric shock
- strong overheating,
- stroke.
Symptoms
The symptoms of a coma can vary according to its stage.
Pre-Coma Symptoms:
- confusion of consciousness;
- moderate stuntedness;
- lethargy;
- drowsiness;
- mental states;
- movement coordination disorder;
- preserved reflexes;
Coma Symptoms:
- sleep or stupor;
- severe stuntedness;
- inhibition of reactions;
- inability to perform movements;
- a patient may / may not swallow liquid food or water;
- inability to make a turn while sleeping;
- abnormal breathing;
- hypothermia;
Treatment
Treatment must be carried out in a hospital setting, depending on the causes. Coma treatment consists of:
- usage of drugs that promotes blood circulation and respiration, stop vomiting;
- cleansing of blood;
- anticonvulsants;
- artificial ventilation of the lungs;
- surgical intervention of a neurosurgeon;
- a surgeon carries out surgical treatment (for head and neck injuries);
- drugs that force diuresis (with intoxication);
- usage of insulin or glucose (for diabetic coma);
- the use of an antidote (in case of an overdose);
- tracheal intubation;
- antibiotic therapy;
- the introduction of thiamine (with hypovitaminosis);