Coma and brain death: Difference between revisions
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*<9. Well done! You have a severe coma. | *<9. Well done! You have a severe coma. | ||
*9-12. You have a moderate coma. With a little work, you may still make it! | *9-12. You have a moderate coma. With a little work, you may still make it! | ||
*>13. Sorry, you only have a mild problem. Maybe try | *>13. Sorry, you only have a mild problem. Maybe try some [[trauma]]? | ||
===Causes=== | ===Causes=== | ||
Nice differential for coma: | Nice differential for coma: |
Revision as of 14:47, 5 June 2010
The difference between coma and brain death is that patients can recover from coma. They can't recover from brain death. Kind of like the difference between having a cold, and being Welsh.
Medical Emergency - New Onset Coma is an immediate reason to worry, start crying, and perhaps call a real doctor!
Diagnosis
A coma is a deep state of unconciousness. Unlike sleep, they cannot wake up, respond to pain or perform voluntary actions. The most widely recognised way of diagnosing a coma is through the Glasgow Coma Scale:
Motor
- Makes no movements.
- Extension on pain
- Abnormal flexion on pain.
- Withdrawal/flexion on pain.
- Localises painful stimuli.
- Moves on command.
Verbal
- Makes no sounds.
- Makes noises.
- Makes words, but no sense.
- Confused conversation.
- Normal conversation.
Eyes
- Does not open eyes.
- Opens eyes to pain.
- Opens eyes to voice.
- Opens eyes spontaneously.
Score Your score is out of 15.
- <9. Well done! You have a severe coma.
- 9-12. You have a moderate coma. With a little work, you may still make it!
- >13. Sorry, you only have a mild problem. Maybe try some trauma?
Causes
Nice differential for coma: Alcohol Epilepsy Infection Overdose Uraemia Trauma Insulin Poison Stroke