I have a neice who was badly crushed by being "T-boned" in an intersection in an automobile. She has been in a medically induced coma, on life support, not even breathing on her own for over two weeks. My question is, why keep her in an unnatural coma awaiting surgery on her pelvis for so long? It would seem her natural body processes of recovery would best function for her if she was allowed to return to consciousness. She has never returned to consciousness after the accident and I don;t think they really know if she can.
2007-06-30 10:00:41 · 4 answers · asked by Mad Mac 7 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Medicine
A medically induced coma is used to treat brain swelling from the injury.
When the brain is injured - it can swell, just like other parts fo the body do. When the swelling is in a closed box (the skull), as the brain swells, the pressure in the skull rises. The rising pressure makes it harder for blood to get to the brain and the brain needs a constant blood supply to get oxygen and glucose.
The coma is used to reduce the brain's activity - so hopefully it can get by for a while with less blood supply. The swelling will go down and then the medicines used to cause the coma can be weaned off.
Until she is weaned off the coma medicines, it isn't possible to know badly her brain may be injured. Unfortunately, it's a wait-and-see game and all the doctors can do is to try to give her brain the best environment they can to heal.
Good luck to you and your family. I've not been in your situation but have cared for hundreds of families that have been and I've seen how hard the waiting can be.
2007-06-30 10:25:54 · answer #1 · answered by FlyGirl24 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
First answer is excellent.
I did a month in the neuro ICU at our Shock-Trauma center when I was a resident. The most amazing thing was seeing people that looked like they had no hope of survival get better and better over time.
Trust her doctors - they know what they are doing. It may be a long, difficult journey for your neice, but keep holding out hope for her.
God bless your family during this difficult time.
2007-06-30 13:29:37 · answer #2 · answered by Pangolin 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The basic answer is - As neurosurgeons we induce comas in order to give the brain chance to heal itself. There are many injuries in which we cannot heal the brain medicinally and have to give it time to heal. Its not like sewing something back together! So thats your answer, the reason why we induce comas is to give the brain a chance to heal itself, and to see if permanent brain damage has occured
I Hope This Has Helped You
The Neurosurgeon
2007-07-01 01:52:00 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
That relies upon on how briskly his thoughts heals. He could desire to start talking precise away or he could pick speech therapy. seeing that he has been in a medically precipitated coma for over a month, possibilities are high he won't be talking precise away. he will could desire to relearn.
2016-10-19 05:01:46 · answer #4 · answered by kuhns 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋