A coma is a state of deep unconsciousness that a person cannot be woken from. A person in a coma cannot react to events in the environment.
Information about your environment is normally passed from the brainstem into the rest of the brain. This feedback allows a person to be aware of and react to the environment. A coma is caused by a breakdown in this system.
The system may be interrupted by:
Factors that may increase your chance of a coma include:
Brain injury is more common in men. Age groups that are more likely to experience brain injury include 5 years or younger, 15-24 years old, and 75 years or older. Risk factors for brain injury include:
Symptoms of a coma include the following:
Since the patient cannot speak, information will need to be gathered from other sources, including friends, family members, and people who witnessed an accident if one occurred. This is important to help with diagnosis. The doctor will also need to know about the person’s medical history and any drug or alcohol use. It is important to provide honest information in order to help with treatment.
The doctor will test reflexes, listen to breathing, and examine the eyes. A physical exam will also be done, including tests of the nervous system.
The patient's bodily fluids will be tested. This can be done with:
Images may be taken of the patient's bodily structures. This can be done with:
The patient's brain activity may be tested. This can be done with:
Clinical findings of comatose patients can be rated according to the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS). This scale assesses 3 different functions: eye opening, motor response, and verbal response. Scores can range from 15 to 3. A lower score indicates less responsiveness. Scores are interpreted as follows:
A coma is a medical emergency. Any unconscious person should be taken to the emergency room right away.
Doctors will work quickly to determine the cause of the coma. Further treatment will depend on the cause of the coma. Supportive care may include:
If a specific cause of the coma is suspected, supportive care may also include:
In some cases, surgery may correct the cause of a coma.
If the coma persists after emergency care, ongoing care may be needed. After the person is stabilized, treatment will focus on providing nutrition and preventing infections. The care staff will also work to prevent pressure sores.
To help reduce your chance of a coma:
Brain Injury Association of America
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
Brain Injury Association of Canada
Ontario Brain Injury Association
Coma. EBSCO DynaMed Plus website. Available at: http://www.dynamed.com/topics/dmp~AN~T114135/Coma. Updated August 22, 2017. Accessed November 8, 2017.
Last reviewed November 2017 by EBSCO Medical Review Board Rimas Lukas, MD
Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.