Unconsciousness Versus Coma
Obviously, not every unconscious person is in a coma. If that were the case, then everyone who gets knocked out should be getting medical attention to treat a coma. There are a couple of determinants that are used to ascertain that a coma is present. The most basic of these is time. The diagnosis of a coma requires doctors to observe that a patient has been unconscious and unresponsive for at least six hours. The bar is set there as it is just high enough to rule out other probable reasons for unconsciousness.
Coma Causes
There are several reasons why a coma can occur. Most of these are involuntary, as only medically induced comas occur as a result of choice. Some of the most common reasons that people fall into a coma are internal. These include intoxication, strokes, or head trauma. These are usually unpredictable, and there is no telling how long they last. Medically induced comas are usually used by doctors to prevent patients from feeling intense pain, such as that which can be felt during surgeries.