What Is a Coma?
By definition, a coma is a state of sustained unconsciousness caused by any number of problems. Comas are often brought on by traumatic head injuries, strokes, brain tumors, drug or alcohol intoxication, and even underlying illnesses, including diabetes and infection. In any case, a coma is a medical emergency that requires immediate attention to preserve life and brain function in the affected individual. Even after a person has fallen into a coma, doctors order and perform several tests often including a brain CT scan to determine the cause of a coma and organize treatment.
A coma is typically easy to recognize. Common symptoms of coma include closed eyes, suppressed reflexes, non-dilating pupils, no limb response, limited response even to painful stimuli, and irregular breathing. While most individuals gradually recover from coma, some individuals enter a vegetative, nonresponsive state and others may die. Additional complications of coma include minor or major disabilities following the incidence, pressure sores, and bladder infections.
The causes of coma are widely varied. Common causes include traumatic brain injury typically caused by a car accident or act of violence, stroke, and tumors. Illness related coma, such as diabetic coma, is caused by underlying illness. Additional causes include lack of oxygen, infection, seizure, toxins, and drug and alcohol abuse.
Determining the cause of a coma is often the first step toward treatment; however, generally any type of coma can be treated with natural remedies. Natural options include coconut oil, gingko biloba, peracitam, and hydergine taken orally help maintain the affected individual’s health and also trigger the return to consciousness. Other options include Chinese skullcap, DMSO, coQ-10 and vitamins B and C. Additionally loved ones visiting and attempting to communicate with the individual also helps expedite the healing process.
