Comatose, commonly referred to as a coma, is a state of the body the majority of the population is familiar with. However, the average citizen is not fully aware of the details of this convoluted state. Comatose only affects a small portion of the population, and there are several aspects pertaining to being in a comatose including the definition, diagnosis, and treatments.
By definition a comatose is a deep state of unconsciousness in which the patient cannot be awakened, does not have sleep cycles, and does not respond to stimuli such as pain, light, and sound. A long term comatose is referred to as a persistent vegetative state. There are several harbingers that one may be falling into a comatose state including eyes not opening, no response to pain except for reflexes, and no voluntary movements except for reflexes (Nordqvist).
There is no bias as to whether or not an individual falls into a coma. Man or woman, young or old, all people are equally susceptible. However, certain people do run a higher risk of falling into a coma if they have a particular ailment. Individuals who are diabetic run the risk of falling into a diabetic coma during periods of hypoglycemia or hyperglycemia (Nordqvist). There are also several other conditions that can cause a person to fall into a comatose. Those with a lack of oxygen flowing to the brain, a condition called hypoxia, are susceptible. Infection causing inflammation to the brain, tissues surrounding the brain, or the spinal cord, as well as strokes (lack of blood flow to the brain) can cause a comatose (Nordqvist). Toxins in the body such as drug overdoses are also a cause because they can cause brain damage (Nordqvist). But as long as the brain is not structurally damaged, ...
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...ing developed. Comas not a hackneyed subject at all, and are a very interesting topic people should be more informed about.
Works Cited
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Nordqvist, Christian. "What Is a Coma (comatose)? What Is a Persistent Vegitative State?" Medical News Today. MediLexicon International, Dec.-Jan. 2009. Web. 10 Feb. 2014. .
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As good writers do, Kevin has exquisitely used language to favor his side. His wide arsenal includes weapons such as non-sequiturs, vague comparisons, jargons, emotive terms, connoted meanings and multiple others. The author knew that his target audience would not be specialized in bioengineering and its application in the medicine industry. He exploited this vulnerability of theirs by using scientific terms like “formulaic”, “clinically”, “suicidal ideation” and “cardiac hypertrophy” throughout the essay. This usage of jargon (Carroll, 2012) accompanied by him acting as an expert persuades the reader to believe in his writing.
...s, physicians, and family members on the importance of prevention, detection, and treatment of ICU delirium. When successful, the ICU staff can promote a healthy environment to support physical and physiological well-being.
Anesthesia, “We take it for granted that we can sleep through operations without feeling any pain. But until about 150 years ago, the operating room was a virtual torture chamber because surgeons had no way to prevent the pain caused by their healing knives.”
This paper will identify and discuss what an incapacitating agent is. It will identify a few moments
1.The Multi-Society Task force on PVS. Medical aspects of the persistent vegetative state. N Engl J Med 1994; 330:1499-508.
Imagine you are in a boring lecture and you start to drift to sleep, usually you can manage to force yourself to wake up. This may be common occurrence but try to imagine falling asleep while driving or walking. These situations seem more rare. A narcoleptic’s body doesn’t care what it is doing when it goes into these paralyzed sleeping episodes. The sudden overwhelming feeling drives the narcoleptic person to fall asleep. One type of episode that they experience is called cataplexy, which is usually caused by some stressful situation or other common activities such as laughing or running (6). During these periods the person suffers from muscle weakness and paralysis. Although the person appears to be sleeping, they are still conscious, but unable to move. They can hear and feel but cannot react to stimulation. For this reason narcolepsy is a very dangerous condition to have without receiving treatment because serious vehicle accidents can result as well as an general inability to succeed in school (6).
Second Opinion . Medical Glossary | PBS. (n.d.). PBS. Retrieved October 21, 2009, from http://www.pbs.org/secondopinion/episodes/sleepdisorders/medicalglossary/story348.html
Volles, D. F. (2011, April 11). University of Virginia Health System Adult and Geriatric Sedation/Analgesia for Diagnostic and Therapeutic Procedures. Retrieved May 12, 2011, from University of Virgina Health System: University of Virginia Health System Adult and Geriatric Sedation/Analgesia for Diagnostic and Therapeutic Procedures
active during this stage because they are so active when we dream. The period of paralyzation
"American Society of Anesthesiologists." About ASA. American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA), n.d. Web. 23 Jan. 2014.
In October of 1998, the Courant’s survey of the 50 states identified that 142 individuals died in physical restraints or seclusion. Another study was done in four Turkish hospitals from July to September of 2005. The study’s findings were, “Nurses used either wrist, ankle, or whole body restraints at various levels. Those nurses who worked in surgical intensive care units and emergency departments and had in-service training used more physical restraint than did others. Only a third of nurses decided on physical restraint together with physicians and three-fourths tried alternative methods. Nurses reported edema and cyanosis on the wrist and arm regions, pressure ulcers on various regions, and aspiration and breathing difficulties in relation to physical restraint.
Imagine watching a family member slip off into a land where they don’t even recognize you or other relatives. Their personality and health rapidly deteriorate to the point of becoming unrecognizable. Within a year, they slip into a coma and eventually die. There is absolutely nothing doctors
The mental status exam investigates global and limbic brain functions, left and right parietal functionality and language. This is achieved through tests such as, level of consciousness, memory, and language assessment (Blumenfeld, 2010). Yanagawa and Miyawaki (2012) highlight the importance of obtaining reports from witnesses to assist with a mental status examination. They state that pre-hospital patients can deteriorate quickly into unconsciousness, limiting the ability for para...
Jacobson, Joy. "Tackling PTSD and ICU patients and their caregivers: studies suggest approaches to averting PTSD." American Journal of Nursing 110.12 (Dec 2010): 18(1). General OneFile. Gale. UMass Dartmouth. 22 Feb. 2011
5: to break down in vital energy, stamina, or self-control through exhaustion or disease; especially: to fall helpless or unconscious