Coma After Brain Injury: What Should Know

Advances in neurosurgery and other fields of medicine are incredible. Coma is an understudied and unpredictable phenomenon. Coma is the body’s unique protective response to unconsciousness. Head injuries are a group of brain injuries with varying symptoms. The proportion of injuries to the central nervous system in the structure of trauma is 40%. Although most head trauma passes without such severe consequences, the risk of coma persists.

The consequences of penetrating cranial trauma in the brain and its membrane are complex pathological processes. Head trauma can be closed or open. The closed type is brain trauma and sometimes closed skull bone fracture. It is a closed cranial trauma and soft tissue damage to the skull without bone fracture. And the intracranial cavity remains shut. 

Want to know more? What are the chances of waking up from a coma? How long will you live a whole and happy life again? Read the answers to these and other questions below. We have an informative article for you!

Signs of Coming out of a Coma

When a person comes out of a coma, it is both a welcome and exciting event. But how do you know when a person is waking up from a coma?

Many signs may state that a patient is coming out of a coma. Some people may have eye and muscle movements. These are often described as voluntary or reflexive. That is, the body is giving signals of life. It means that the patient’s body struggles to escape the coma state.

As the patient regains consciousness, they can make requests. For example, he may turn his head in response to a specific sound. Or the patient may squeeze someone’s hand when asked to do so. 

Many medical professionals also note that coma patients usually begin to make sounds. They mumble words or sentences. Although they may not make sense initially, this is still a positive signal. 

Besides, some experts have found that if an unconscious patient had to move his fingers on one side of his body and then on the other, these motor reactions would state that he was coming to his senses.

What Causes a Coma After Brain Injury?

A brain injury is a severe medical condition. It can lead to a coma because of its many complications. How long it takes to come out of a coma is unknown!

The most common cause of coma after a brain injury is swelling or bleeding in the brain. A consequence of this leads to increased pressure on the skull. Some vital functions are then impaired, including:

• Consciousness;
• Breathing;
• Thermoregulation;
• Brain function. 

Other causes include:

• Head trauma resulting in loss of oxygen to the brain;
• Viruses affect the nervous system. 

Both of these cases lead to coma. In rare cases, coma may occur due to problems outside the head. Yes, it can happen, too. For example, you will have a coma due to lack of oxygen due to other organ failure or cardiac arrest. 

People who have suffered a head injury should seek medical attention immediately. This way, you reduce the possible damage. And you can prevent further complications such as a coma.

How to Measure the Severity of a Coma After Brain Injury

Determining the severity of a coma after a brain injury is a complex process. Doctors have difficulties because of the wide range of possible outcomes. And it is also due to the varying degrees of these potential outcomes. 

Because so many factors related to each individual, an accurate measurement of symptoms and level of consciousness is critical. It is the only way a physician can determine the best treatment plan. The patient will have a better chance of waking up from a coma.

Medical professionals usually do this with a variety of scales. The Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) remains the most popular. These have been specifically developed over time and tested for accuracy.

The Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) is often used to determine changes in:

• Consciousness
• Communication
• Attention
• Language
• Reaction

Doctors then perform CT scans and MRIs. This help detects any changes in the tissues or areas of the brain. If the changes occur due to trauma or lack of oxygen, they will be visible in the study. 

After taking these steps, doctors can assess the prognosis of the person’s condition. They can then develop an appropriate recovery plan.

How Does a Coma Feel?

It is impossible to tell precisely how a person in a coma feels. The fact is that when a patient is in a coma, he is unconscious. It means that he cannot describe how he feels. 

Medical professionals report that people in comas often experience periods of restlessness. It may be indicative of internal sensations. For example, the patient may experience pain or discomfort. Some people may exhibit reflex movements or respond to touch or sound. 

Although their consciousness disrupts, they are unable to communicate with their environment. It suggests the presence of internal sensations that people can perceive in some way. 

Studies of the experiences of those who have presented signs of coming out of comas show varying descriptions, from a sense of safety and security to deep anxiety from a sense of entrapment. 

Although we cannot know how a coma feels, it is clear that a diverse range of potential sensations is possible.

Bottom Line

A coma is a severe medical condition. You need a doctor to determine the severity of a coma. You cannot decide for yourself whether or not you will be in a coma.

Lone Star Neurology Clinic always keeps its doors open for its patients! We have only the best treatments and the best doctors. We have experience dealing with comas after brain injuries, and we can help you. Contact us today, and we will ensure you get the care you need.

FAQ 

• How long will it take to come out of a coma?

It is impossible to predict how long it will take for a patient to come out of a coma. Recovery varies from person to person and may depend on the cause or severity of the condition.

• What are the chances of waking up from a coma?

The chances of waking up from a coma depend on the cause. But, medical professionals usually report that around 25-40% of patients who enter a coma will wake up and fully recover.

• How long does it take to recover from a coma?

Recovery from a coma can take several months or even years. The recovery process depends on the severity of the condition and its cause, but it is possible. With medical care and support, patients can often recover. And they can return to their daily lives. It’s important to remember that waking up from a coma is a positive sign. But the road to recovery can be long and difficult. With patience and dedication, recovery is possible. 

• Can a person in a coma hear you?

It is impossible to determine whether a person in a coma can hear you. But, research suggests that people in comas may be able to perceive sound, light, and touch sensations. It is important to speak calmly and positively around someone in a coma to create an environment of safety and comfort.