Coma

Being in a coma is an emergency condition that’s caused by several reasons, and in most cases, it doesn’t last for a long time.

Coma

A coma occurs when a person becomes unconscious and unresponsive to the surroundings, and they’re not aware of what their body itself needs. This medical emergency requires immediate action in order to prevent any further brain complications.

Causes and risk factors leading to coma

• Blood sugar fluctuations, like extreme hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia.
• Traumatic brain injuries.
• Stroke.
• Tumors.
• Brain infections, such as meningitis and encephalitis.
• Cerebral hypoxia.
• Brain bleeding.
• Seizures.
• Alcohol and drug abuse.

Factors that increase the risk of coma:

• Certain conditions like hypothyroidism, diabetes, epilepsy, hypotension, hypertension, elevated blood cholesterol, irregular heartbeat, multiple sclerosis, and electrolyte imbalance (like hyponatremia).
• Toxins, like carbon monoxide and heavy metals.

Symptoms of coma

Usually, a coma lasts a few minutes to 1-2 weeks, and rarely, longer than that. Symptoms include:

• Being unconscious or in a deep sleep.
• The eyes stay closed and unresponsive, like pupils that don’t respond to light.
• No motor movements except for some reflex responses.
• Atypical breathing.

Complications of coma

• Being in a coma means that the patient will stay bedridden until they regain consciousness, and this might cause:
• Blood clots in the legs.
• Urinary tract infections.
• Pneumonia.
• Bedsores.
• Muscle atrophy.
• Delirium.
• Death.

Diagnosis of coma

• Physical exam.
• Lab tests.
• Imaging tests.
• Neurological tests.

Treatment of coma

• Treating a coma depends on the cause.
• It’s possible that the patient could hear what’s going on while they’re in a coma; therefore, it’s recommended to not let them alone and talk to them occasionally.