A coma is a protracted state of unconsciousness that can be caused by a variety of conditions, such as a head injury, a stroke, a brain tumour, a drug or alcohol overdose, or an underlying medical condition like diabetes or an infection.
A coma necessitates urgent medical intervention. In order to preserve lives and prevent brain damage, immediate action is required. Doctors frequently do a battery of blood tests and a brain scan in order to diagnose the cause of the coma and start treatment.
Comas usually come to an end after a few weeks. The possibility of acquiring fatal or irreversible brain damage increases with prolonged unconsciousness.
Contents
Can a Coma Be Contagious?
Symptoms
Some of the most typical indications of a coma include:
- eyes closed
- reduced brainstem reflex activation, resulting in symptoms like unresponsive pupils.
There are no limb reactions other than automatic reflexes. - Reflexes are all that exist when one lacks the capacity to deliberately react to unpleasant stimuli.
- abnormal breathing
What Circumstances Require Medical Care?
A critical medical condition is a coma. Emergency medical care is required for the coma sufferer.
Causes
- A range of medical conditions have the potential to cause comas. Several examples are:
- Traumatic brain injuries are generally the result of vehicular accidents or other violent acts.
- When blood flow to the brain is obstructed or halted for whatever cause, a stroke ensues (such as due to blocked arteries or a burst blood vessel).
Comas are a Frequent Sign of Tumours in the Brain and Brainstem.
Diabetes: High blood sugar (hyperglycemia) or low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) can both cause comas.
Lack of Oxygen: If a person’s brain has not received enough oxygen after being revived after a heart attack or saved from drowning, they may not awaken.
Illnesses: A number of infections, such as encephalitis and meningitis, can cause an enlargement of the brain, spinal cord, or brain structures. When these infections progress to a dangerous level, they may result in coma or even brain damage.
Seizures: A sustained seizure pattern raises the possibility of coma development.
Toxins: Exposure to toxic compounds like carbon monoxide or lead can cause brain damage and comas.
Alcohol and Other Drugs: A drug or alcohol overdose could result in coma.
Complications
While some coma survivors fully recover, others either go into a vegetative state or pass away. Those who emerge from comas are more likely to experience either temporary or chronic disabilities.
A coma can have complications at any point, including blood clots in the legs, pressure sores, and urinary tract infections.
