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);