Coma and brain death: Difference between revisions
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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. | 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. | ||
===New Onset Coma=== | |||
[[image:emergency.gif|left]]'''[[Medical Emergency]] - New onset [[coma]] is an immediate reason to worry, start crying, and perhaps call a real doctor!''' | |||
There are two main categories that cause new onset coma. | |||
=== | ===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: | 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: | ||
[[image:vegetable.jpg|right|thumb|300px|Coma patients are sometimes known as vegetables. Which is odd, because I'm pretty sure they don't count as one of your 5 a day.]] | [[image:vegetable.jpg|right|thumb|300px|Coma patients are sometimes known as vegetables. Which is odd, because I'm pretty sure they don't count as one of your 5 a day.]] |
Revision as of 17:54, 9 December 2009
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.
New Onset Coma
Medical Emergency - New onset coma is an immediate reason to worry, start crying, and perhaps call a real doctor!
There are two main categories that cause new onset coma.
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 another bottle of whisky?