Coma
A coma usually only lasts a few weeks, during which time the person may start to gradually wake up and gain consciousness, or progress into a different state of unconsciousness called a vegetative state or minimally conscious state.
Some people may recover from these states gradually, while others may not improve for years, if at all.See the page on disorders of consciousness for more information about these conditions.
People who do wake up froma coma usually come round gradually. They may be very agitated and confused to begin with.
Some people will make a full recovery and be completely unaffected by the coma. Otherswill have disabilities caused by the damage to their brain. They may need physiotherapy , occupational therapy and psychological assessment and support during a period of rehabilitation, and may need care for the rest of their lives.
Thechances of someone recovering from a coma largely depend on the severity andcause of their brain injury, their age and how long they've been ina coma. But it's impossible to accurately predict whether the personwill eventually recover,how long the coma will last and whether they'll have any long-term problems.
Read about what a coma is, how someone in a coma will be looked after, what you can do to help, and what happens when someone recovers from a coma.
Someone who is in a coma is unconscious and has minimal brain activity. They're alive, butcan't be woken up and show no signs of being aware. The person's eyes will be closed andthey'llappear to be u
Doctors assess a person's level of consciousness using a tool called the Glasgow Coma Scale . This level is monitored constantly for signs of improvement or deterioration. The Glasgow Coma Scale asses
The experience of being in a coma differs from person to person. Some people feel they can remember events that happened around them while theywere in a coma, while others don't. Some people have rep
A coma usually only lasts a few weeks, during which time the person may start to gradually wake up and gain consciousness, or progress into a different state of unconsciousness called a vegetative sta
For further information and support from healthcare professionals and the families of people in a coma, you may find the followingwebsites helpful: Brain and Spine Foundation Headway : the brain