Coma

Coma - Illnesses & conditions | NHS inform Home Illnesses and conditions Symptoms and self-help Tests and treatments Healthy living Care, support and rights Scotlands Service Directory 0 Home Illnesses and conditions Brain, nerves and spinal cord Coma Coma A coma is a state of unconsciousness where a person is unresponsive and cannot be woken. It can result from injury to the brain, such as a severe head injury or stroke . A coma can also be caused by severe alcohol poisoningor a brain infection (encephalitis). People with diabetes could fall into a coma if their blood glucose levels suddenly became very low (hypoglycaemia) or very high (hyperglycaemia) . What is a coma? Someone who is in a coma is unconscious and has minimal brain activity. Theyre alive, butcant be woken up and show no signs of being aware. The persons eyes will be closed andtheyllappear to be unresponsive to their environment. They wontnormally respond to sound or pain, or be able to communicate or move voluntarily. Someone in a coma will also have very reduced basic reflexes such as coughing and swallowing. They may be able to breathe on their own, although some people require a machine to help them breathe. Over time, the person may start to gradually regain consciousness and become more aware. Some people will wake up after a few weeks, while others may go into a vegetative state or minimally conscious state. Caring for and monitoring a person in a coma Doctors assess a persons level of consciousness using a tool called the Glasgow Coma Scale . This level is monitored constantly for signs of improvement or deterioration. The Glasgow Coma Scale assesses three things: eye opening  a score of one means no eye opening, andfour means opens eyes spontaneously verbal response to a command  a score of onemeans no response, andfive means alert and talking voluntary movements in response to a command  a score of one means no response, and six means obeys commands Most people in a coma will have a total score ofeight or less.A lower score means someone may have experienced more severe brain damage and could be less likely to recover. In the short term, a person in a coma will normally be looked afterin an intensive care unit (ICU). Treatment involves ensuring their condition is stable and their body functions, such as breathing and blood pressure, are supported while the underlying cause is treated. In the longer term, healthcare staff will give supportive treatment on a hospital ward. This can involve providing nutrition, trying to prevent infections, moving the person regularly so they dont develop bedsores, and gently exercising their joints tostop thembecoming tight. What you can do as a visitor The experience of being in a coma differs from person to person. Some people feel they can remember events that happened around them while theywere in a coma, while others dont. Some people have reported feeling enormous reassurance from the presence of a loved one when coming out of a coma. When visiting a friend or loved one in a coma, you may find the advice below helpful: when you arrive, announce who you are talk to them about your day as you normally wouldbe aware that everything you say in front of them might be heard show them your love and support even just sitting and holding their hand or stroking their skin can bea great comfort Research has also suggested thatstimulating the main senses  touch, hearing, vision and smell could potentially helpa personrecover from a coma. As well as talking to the person and holding their hand, you might want to try playing them their favourite music through headphones, putting flowers in their room or spraying a favourite perfume. Recovering from a coma A coma usually only lasts a few weeks, during which time the person may start to gradually wake up and gain consciousness, or progress into a different state of unconsciousness called a vegetative state or minimally conscious state. a vegetative state  where a person is awake but shows no signs of being aware of their surroundings or themselves a minimally conscious state  where a person has limited awareness that comes and goes Some people may recover from these states gradually, while others may not improve for years, if at all. People who do wake up froma coma usually come round gradually. They may be very agitated and confused to begin with. Some people will make a full recovery and be completely unaffected by the coma. Otherswill have disabilities caused by the damage to their brain. They may needphysiotherapy, occupational therapy and psychological assessment and support during a period of rehabilitation, and may need care for the rest of their lives. Thechances of someone recovering from a coma largely depend on the severity andcause of their brain injury, their age and how long theyve been ina coma. But its impossible to accurately predict whether the personwill eventually recover,how long the coma will last and whether theyll have any long-term problems. Further information and support For further information and support from healthcare professionals and the families of people in a coma, you may find the followingwebsites helpful: Brain and Spine Foundation Headway : the brain injury association ICUsteps : the intensive care patient support charity Source: NHS 24 - Opens in new browser window Last updated: 06 March 2024 How can we improve this page? Help us improve NHS inform Thank You Your feedback has been received Dont include personal information e.g. name, location or any personal health conditions. Email Address e.g. you@example.com Message Maximum of 500 characters Send feedback Add this page to\n            Info For Me Also on NHS inform Severe head injury Other health sites Brain and Spine Foundation: Moderate to severe head injuries Headway: coma ICUsteps: patients and relatives NHS inform About NHS inform Editorial policy Contact us Webchat Give feedback about NHS inform Info for Me tool Terms and conditions Privacy and cookies policy Freedom of information (FOI) Accessibility Other languages and formats  2023 NHS 24  v1.1.1.17852