Coma is a pathological state with an extreme degree of suppression of cerebral activity, which is accompanied by loss of consciousness, lack of response to any external stimuli and disorders of various vital functions (violation of thermoregulation, respiration, slowing of the pulse, decreased vascular tone).
Causes of cerebral coma
The causes of this condition are primary or secondary toxic and traumatic factors. The most common reasons are:
- trauma to the head and brain;
- strokes ;
- infectious brain damage;
- brain damage due to lack of oxygen;
- toxic damage by poisonous substances, certain drugs, drugs;
- alcohol poisoning;
- disruptions in the work of the endocrine system and, as a result, a deficiency or an overabundance of some hormones (diabetic, pituitary, hypocorticoid coma).
Symptoms of cerebral coma
At the initial stages of coma, a person seems to be simply asleep, eyes closed, and minimal possible movement. The victim can move in a dream, swallow saliva, some reflexes remain. In addition, it is believed that in the initial stage of the brain coma, a person can feel pain. At deeper stages of coma, the central nervous system and respiratory depression, atony of muscles, and cardiac disturbances are increasingly oppressed.
Forecasts and consequences of cerebral coma
The duration of coma and predictions directly depend on the type and severity of the lesions.
If help has been provided in a timely manner and it has been possible to avoid irreversible brain damage, a coma can last from a few days to several weeks. The longer the brain coma, and the deeper, the more unfavorable the predictions, and options are possible when a person does not leave it, remaining in a fully vegetative state for the rest of his life.
The main consequences of coma are reversible and irreversible disorders of brain activity. In himself, a person does not come immediately, but at first for short periods of time, which eventually increase. After a coma, a short-term
Emergency care for cerebral coma
With a coma, only specialists can help. If there is a suspicion that a person has fallen into a coma, it is necessary to immediately call an ambulance. The only thing that can be done before the arrival of doctors is to provide the victim with an opportunity to breathe. Since the comatose state of the muscle relaxes, reducing the swallowing and respiratory reflex, the victim must check the pulse , turn it on the stomach and, if possible, cleanse the airways.