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Coma

Medical Questions » Coma
Name: Coma
Also known as: Unconscious
A state of deep unconsciousness from which the patient cannot be aroused. The brain stops functioning normally and cannot be stimulated.
Causes of Coma
Very wide range of causes including head injury, bleeding in or around the brain (eg. stroke), brain tumor or infection (eg. meningitis, encephalitis), after an epileptic seizure, overdoses of drugs or alcohol, severe dehydration, very low blood pressure, heart attack or rhythm abnormality, uncontrolled diabetes, severe lung diseases (eg. pneumonia), poisons and numerous other diseases and conditions.
Symptoms of Coma
Unrousable loss of consciousness. Depth of coma assessed by the Glascow coma scale— EYE OPENING (E) POINT SCORE • Spontaneous opening 4 • Open to verbal command 3 • Open to pain 2 • No response 1 MOTOR RESPONSES (M) • Obeys verbal command 6 Responds to painful stimuli by:— • localizes pain 5 • withdraws from painful stimulus 4 • abnormal flexion 3 • extensors response 2 • no response 1 VERBAL RESPONSES (V) • Oriented and converses 5 • Disoriented and converses 4 • Inappropriate words 3 • Incomprehensible sounds 2 • No response 1 COMA SCORE = E + M + V 3 = very deeply comatose 15 = completely conscious and alert.
Tests for Coma
A wide range of blood, urine, X-ray, CT and ultrasound scan, and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF — the fluid around the brain) tests will be performed in order to determine the cause.
Treatment for Coma
A coma is always serious and needs immediate medical treatment, but correct treatment will depend on identifying the cause.
Complications of Coma of its treatment
None.
Likely Outcome of Coma
A coma is always serious and needs immediate medical treatment, but correct treatment will depend on identifying the cause.
       
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