It is a grim fact that many people are suffering from some form of coma. Often this condition is entirely preventable if the person in question had known what was causing their coma, and had taken the necessary steps to recover. It is therefore crucial that everyone who is concerned for a loved one be aware of the possible risks factors involved in ending up in a coma. In this article, we will discuss the most common causes of coma, including the situations where more than one factor may have contributed to the comatose condition.
Too Much Alcohol
There is a well-known myth that drinking alcohol will prevent you from going into a coma. While this may be true in some cases, it certainly does not apply to all those who consume alcohol. In fact, consuming alcohol regularly has been linked to an increased risk of falling into a coma. A 2016 study from Sweden found that people who drink more than five drinks per day have a 55% higher risk of entering a coma. Regular drinking can also lead to a condition known as ‘Wernicke’s encephalopathy’. This is a rare but potentially fatal case of dementia, which affects the thalamus and the brain stem. Another condition known as ‘Habitual drinking’, ‘Skid Row Drinking’ or ‘Alcohol-Induced Insomnia’ can also be a cause of coma. These are all instances where heavy drinking has lead to a potentially life-threatening condition.
Low Blood Pressure
A drop in blood pressure is one of the primary signs that you are in a coma. The opposite of a high blood pressure is a low blood pressure. When a person’s blood pressure drops, it drops quite drastically, sometimes plunging to an all-time-low. When this happens, the oxygen-rich blood that is supposed to travel to the brain is prevented from doing so, due to a lack of blood vessels pulsing in the capillaries. The result is that the person in question will remain in a state of sluggishness, unresponsiveness and even unconsciousness. Fortunately, in most cases, this is a condition that is easily treated. Patients are often given fluids to re-establish proper blood pressure, and sometimes even medication is required. In most cases, once the person’s blood pressure goes back up, they will be perfectly alright.
Stroke or Seizure
A stroke occurs when a blood vessel in the brain bursts or leaks, leading to a lack of oxygen being delivered to the brain. This is most often caused by a blockage in the artery that supplies blood to the brain. A stroke can lead to serious complications including paralysis, partial paralysis, and even death. The sooner that a person is detected to be suffering from a stroke, the better. There are numerous signs, including sudden weakness or numbness on one side of the body, that can indicate the presence of a stroke. If you are ever concerned that you may be suffering from a stroke, it is advised that you contact your doctor immediately. Prompt treatment will hopefully minimize the complications that can arise from a stroke.
A seizure is a neurological event where a person’s brain suddenly and unexpectedly becomes hyper-active. In most cases, this activity is in the form of convulsions, where muscles in the body are jerked uncontrollably. Sometimes the activity can even appear to come from within the brain, and can manifest itself as a ‘seizure aura’. This is when a person experiences minor symptoms such as tingling or dimming of vision prior to the actual seizure. A seizure can be caused by a variety of factors including brain tumor, an aneurysm or an infection. In some people, seizures can even be triggered by certain food items or chemicals. In most cases, seizures are curable with medication, but they must be treated promptly to avoid any long-term complications. In some cases, particularly with repeated seizures, this can lead to more serious problems including memory loss and even dementia. It is essential that anyone who is concerned for their mental health seek help as soon as possible if they are experiencing any type of seizure.
Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA)
A TIA is a mini-stroke that occurs when blood flow to the brain briefly stops due to the blockage of a blood vessel. This usually occurs in one area of the brain at a time, and it is usually caused by atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries) or plaque (a type of deposit found in the arteries) rupturing, causing the blood vessel to become blocked. If you have experienced any type of brief loss of consciousness, followed by a sharp recovery, you may have experienced a TIA. While the symptoms of a TIA are usually transient and go away within 24 hours, in some instances they can be more severe. A small number of TIAs can progress to a full-blown stroke. Fortunately, in most cases, this is a condition that is easily treated. If you are experiencing any type of concerns regarding your health, you should see your doctor as soon as possible.
Subarachnoid Hemorrhage
A subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) happens when a blood vessel in the subarachnoid space of the brain bursts, leading to bleeding into the cerebrospinal fluid. In most cases, this results in sudden and severe headache, as well as altered consciousness, which can range from mild drowsiness to a coma. A subarachnoid hemorrhage can be caused by head trauma, high blood pressure or an aneurysm. In some people, particularly those with a history of hypertension or stroke, this can be a recurrent condition. In most cases, subarachnoid hemorrhages are caused by ruptured cerebral aneurysms, which are areas of the blood vessel that have weakened or bled prematurely. In some instances, particularly those with a history of trauma or cancer, this condition can be a fatal one. Fortunately, with the correct treatment and care, the long-term prognosis for a person with a subarachnoid hemorrhage is usually excellent. In most cases, proper care and treatment will lead to a complete recovery and an improved quality of life for the person in question.
Multiple Atrophy
Multiple Atrophy is a disorder that involves the degeneration of the nerve cells in the brain. In most cases, this is due to chronic head injuries or a previous infection. In some cases, it can be caused by a vitamin deficiency, or even as a complication from alcoholism or drug use. In most cases, this condition causes a drastic drop in memory as well as other mental faculties including judgement and executive function. In some instances, the disorder can even lead to personality changes or autism. Due to the unpredictable and often serious nature of multiple atrophy, most cases must be treated individually, and a team of doctors may be required to effectively manage the disorder.
Venous Thromboembolism
Venous Thromboembolism (VTE) is a blood clotting disorder that occurs when blood clots form in the veins. These clots can subsequently travel to the lungs, where they may cause life-threatening complications. The more that you are aware of the risks of developing a venous thromboembolism, the better. This condition is most often caused by the formation of a blood clot in one of the veins that lead to the lung. People with venous thromboembolism are often more prone to developing deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism. Symptoms of venous thromboembolism include sudden chest pain or pressure, shortness of breath, and even sudden death. Unfortunately, in some cases, the symptoms can be entirely absent, and it can be difficult to diagnose. Anyone who is experiencing any concerns regarding their health should seek immediate medical help to minimize any risk of venous thromboembolism.
In some cases, coma can be caused by more than one factor. In these situations, it is often difficult to determine what exactly triggered the condition. In many cases, a person will wake up from a coma with no memory of what caused their sudden condition. It is therefore crucial that everyone be aware of the risks of developing a coma, and what should and should not be attributed to the cause. It is also crucial that anyone who is in a coma not be overlooked for medical help, as these conditions are often quite treatable. With the right treatment and care, people survive quite frequently and go on to live happy and fulfilling lives. Nevertheless, it is often a grim fact that many people are unfortunately never the same again following a coma, and it is often difficult to determine the reason for this. The sooner that you know the answer to this question, the better, because in most cases, it will help you and your loved ones at the very least to understand what happened, and in some instances, it may even lead to a successful treatment or cure for the person in question.