Coma Definition, Reason, Symptoms, Treatment & Prevention
Understanding
Coma is a term used to describe a condition, in which a person is unconscious and does not respond to sound or pain or pain. This condition occurs due to decreased activity in the brain as a result of various things. For example due to injury to the brain or brain infection.
Some people who experience a coma can lead to complete recovery without any disturbing complaints. Meanwhile, others end up dying or staying alive but unable to carry out light activities such as opening their eyes or communicating with other people.
The level of consciousness of a person in a coma depends on the part of the brain that is still functioning. This can change according to the condition of the person.
Those whose lives are not fully conscious and cannot respond adequately to their environment are said to be in a vegetative state. That is, the person can still be aware of what is happening around him even though he cannot respond either in the form of communication or body movements.
Symptom
Signs that appear when someone is in a coma include:
- Eyes closing
- The pupils of the eyes do not respond to light
- There is nobody response, including the hands and feet, to painful stimuli
- Irregular breathing
Reason
Many things can put a person in a coma, some of which are:
- Infections, such as meningitis or meningitis
- Trauma, such as a head injury
- Metabolic disease, such as diabetes, kidney failure or liver failure
- Stroke, both stroke due to blockage or rupture of blood vessels
- seizures
- Poisoning, for example carbon monoxide poisoning
- Drug and alcohol overdose
- Brain tumor
- Lack of oxygen
Diagnosis
To determine whether someone is in a coma, doctors can see it based on the person’s state of consciousness. In the medical world, a person’s level of consciousness is measured using the standard Glasgow coma scale.
This scale is calculated with numbers based on the response to the eyes, movement, and sound for the stimulation given. The highest value of this scale is 15, while the lowest is 3. The closer to number 3, the coma experienced by a person means that it is deeper and generally the hope of recovery is even lower.
-
Laboratory examination
Laboratory tests such as routine blood, blood sugar, electrolytes, and specific drug tests may be needed to determine the cause of someone being in a coma.
-
Imaging examination
Imaging examinations such as CT scans, MRI or EEG are needed to see directly the anatomical structure of the brain and patterns of activity in the brain. Brain tumors and strokes are easily seen on a CT- scan or MRI. While the EEG will show abnormalities in brain activity in cases of epilepsy.
Treatment
Handling of people who are in a coma is done based on the underlying disease. In some cases, brain surgery is needed. For example in cases of trauma, stroke or tumor. Whereas in cases of coma due to metabolic diseases – such as diabetes or kidney failure, the underlying disease must be treated first.
What is no less important in the treatment of people who are in a coma is nutrition. Nutrition for someone who is unconscious can be done through a tube that connects the nose to the stomach. People who are in a coma should not be given food or drink by mouth because of the high risk of choking.
Complications
The most fatal complication of coma is death. Another possibility that can happen is that someone is still alive, but is in a vegetative state.
This phase occurs when a person is still alive but is unable to carry out physical activity, even light activity. This condition also makes the person unable to communicate with his environment.
Prevention
To prevent someone from falling into a coma, the underlying disease must be treated properly. In the case of infection, the infection must first be completely resolved.
Meanwhile, in diabetics, blood sugar levels must be controlled properly. Likewise with people who have kidney and liver disorders, where treatment must be carried out routinely.
To prevent trauma, make it a habit to wear a helmet and head protection when you have to ride a motorbike. Likewise when doing sports that have head collisions.
Avoid using drugs outside the supervision of a doctor. Another thing that also needs to be considered is limiting alcohol consumption to reduce the risk of overdose.