Comas and Vegetative States
Unfortunately for some people who end up in comas, they also enter a vegetative state. As the brain is responsible for many bodily functions, many things can go wrong when it becomes damaged. The damage results in a compromise of said functions. This compromise can be so severe in some people, that they cannot function at the basic level cognitively or physiologically. This is known as a vegetative state. The state is not always permanent, and some people even maintain awareness.
Man In Vegetative State
Coma Treatment
The first thing medical professionals do with comatose patients is to deal with any looming threat of immediate danger. Once this is done, the treatment usually focuses on keeping the patients healthy and alive since they cannot be forcefully removed from the coma. Maintaining a healthy comatose patient status requires a focus on the prevention of infections and ailments. Bedsores and Pneumonia are common issues a patient in a coma is forced to deal with. Physiotherapy is also sometimes used to prevent deformities.
Coma Patient Receiving Care
