Definition:
Severe brain injury is a condition in which an individual has been unconscious for a prolonged length of time due to a variety of problems such as a stroke, traumatic head injury, brain tumor, or an underlying illness such as an infection or diabetes.
Diagnosis:
Doctors perform a physical examination on the patient by checking reflexes and response to painful stimuli as well as the pupil size. Blood samples are also taken to check complete blood count, electrolytes, glucose, and liver function, carbon monoxide poisoning, or drug overdose. The doctor may also perform a spinal tap or brain scans.
Treatment:
Treatment depends on the cause of the coma. Individuals in coma are given assistance in maintaining their respiration and circulation. They may be administered intravenously with glucose or antibiotics in case of diabetic shock or the brain affected by an infection. Doctors may opt for surgery to alleviate brain swelling.
Symptoms and Signs:
Individuals who are suffering with severe brain injury have closed eyes. Their limbs do not respond to any stimuli except for reflex movements.
Causes:
The condition may be caused by a variety of problems such as rraumatic brain injuries, stroke, diabetes, lack of oxygen, infections, or toxins, which may also cause brain damage leading to coma.
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