Artificial coma is a condition in which the patient is administered exclusively for medical reasons. This procedure is intended for the treatment of certain diseases and injuries of the brain.
Artificial coma: is it dangerous?
Of course, like any other procedure,the introduction of patients in such a condition is associated with some risk. But this type of coma is a process that is almost completely controlled by doctors. In most cases, patients return to life successfully.
Artificial coma and indications for its conduct
As already mentioned, patients are injected into this condition only for medical reasons. As a rule, this procedure is used to treat those or other brain damage:
- For example, quite often this method is used in the presence of extensive hemorrhages of the brain, which are accompanied by severe swelling and squeezing of tissues.
- In some cases, an artificial patient is administered to patients who need a series of complex operations - the patient is much easier to transfer all the procedures, being in a similar condition.
- Sometimes this technique is used by neurosurgeons,especially if the patient needs complex surgical treatment. In such cases, the procedure is much easier, as well as the rehabilitation period - the chance of success of the operation is higher.
- In some cases, artificial coma is used to bring the patient out of severe epileptic status, especially if all other therapies do not work.
- Recently, someone used to treatrabies. This technique is currently at an experimental stage. However, recent studies have given a good result. It is worth recalling that until recently, rabies (in the absence of appropriate treatment in the first few days after infection) did not respond to treatment, it was accompanied by severe brain damage.
Artificial coma: how is the procedure?
For the introduction of patients in a similar condition, two methods are used:
- the introduction of anesthetics into the blood - in most cases, barbiturates are used;
- gradual cooling of the body to thirty-three degrees (rarely used).
Once again, it is worth recalling that this process is constantly monitored by doctors. The work of the circulatory and respiratory systems support with the help of special drugs or devices.
During coma in humans occurchanges. Used anesthetics slow down blood circulation in the brain, as a result of which the intensity of metabolism decreases, the vessels constrict. Thus, the swelling of nerve tissue gradually disappears, and intracranial pressure decreases. This technique prevents the development of tissue necrosis and gives the body time for natural recovery.
As soon as the main symptoms of the disease or the effects of the injury disappear, the doctor prescribes a series of studies, the results of which decide the patient’s withdrawal from the above condition.
Artificial coma: consequences
As already mentioned, a similar treatment methodfraught with some risk. However, the chances of success are high. After anesthesia, the patient will have to go through a rehabilitation period. Restoration of normal body functions may take some time. Some people recovered from the disease within a year. During this period, the patient must undergo regular examinations and appropriate treatment.
