WHAT IS COMA

A coma is a medical emergency and a state of prolonged unconsciousness that can be caused by a variety of problems like traumatic head injury, stroke, brain tumour, drug or alcohol intoxication, or even an underlying illness, such as diabetes or an infection.

Causes: Coma can be a result of several problems. Following are a few examples: 

• Traumatic brain injuries, often caused by road accident or acts of violence
• Stroke
• Tumours in the brain or brainstem 
• Uncontrolled Diabetes
• Lack of oxygen
• Infections 
• Seizures
• Exposure to toxins, such as carbon monoxide or lead
• Drugs and alcohol abuse

WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF COMA 

• Shut eyes, pupils unresponsive to light on examination
• Nil responses of limbs, except for reflex movements
• nil response to painful stimuli, except for reflex movements
• Irregular and troubled breathing

DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT 

Diagnosis: People in a coma can't express themselves. Doctors rely on physical clues and information provided by families and close friends, such as : 

• Events preceding coma, such as vomiting or headaches
• Details of how the affected person lost consciousness.
• Affected person's medical history, including other past health conditions, prescriptions
• Any recent changes in the affected person's health or behavior 

Diagnosis is made by the following steps: 

• Physical exam ( checking the affected person's movements and reflexes, response to painful stimuli, and pupil size) 
• Laboratory tests ( Complete blood count, Electrolytes, glucose, thyroid, kidney and liver function, Carbon monoxide poisoning, Drug or alcohol overdose) 
• Lumbar puncture ( checking the signs of infection in the nervous system) 
• Brain scans ( to help doctors pinpoint areas of brain injury) 

Treatment: Once an accurate diagnosis has been made, the treatment of Coma will depend on it’s cause.

1. Emergency Medicine personnel may administer glucose or antibiotics intravenously in case of diabetic shock or an infection affecting the brain.
2. Patient may be put on ventilator, given blood transfusions and other supportive care.
3. If the coma is due to seizures, doctors will administer medications to control seizures.
4. If the coma is the result of alcohol or drug overdose, doctors will give medications to treat the condition. 
5. Other treatments may focus on medications or therapies to address an underlying disease, such as diabetes or liver disease.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION 

1. In case you see someone in a state of coma, seek immediate medical care.
2. If a person is in a Coma, the following complications may happen

a. Although many people gradually recover, others enter a vegetative state or become brain dead or die.

b. Some people who recover from a coma may have major or minor disabilities

c. Complications may develop during a coma, including pressure sores, bladder infections, blood clots in the legs, et cetera

d. If the affected person has suffered severe brain damage, he or she may sustain permanent disabilities or may never regain consciousness.