Coma facts for kids

A coma is a very deep state of unconsciousness. When someone is in a coma, they cannot be woken up, even with loud noises or gentle shaking. They also don't react to things like pain or bright lights. It's like a very deep sleep where the brain isn't fully aware of what's happening around it.

What is a Coma?

A coma is a serious medical condition. It means a person's brain is not working as it normally should. They are alive, but they are not awake or aware. Their body might still do basic things like breathing, but they won't respond to people talking to them or touching them.

What Causes a Coma?

Many different things can cause a person to go into a coma. These often involve something affecting the brain. Some common causes include:

• Serious Injuries: A bad head injury, like from a fall or an accident, can damage the brain and lead to a coma.
• Illnesses: Certain serious illnesses, like a very bad infection in the brain (like meningitis) or a stroke, can cause a coma.
• Lack of Oxygen: If the brain doesn't get enough oxygen for a period of time, it can be damaged and lead to a coma. This can happen after a heart attack or if someone almost drowns.
• Medical Conditions: Sometimes, conditions like very high or very low blood sugar (in people with diabetes) or severe kidney or liver problems can make the brain stop working properly, causing a coma.
• Medications: In some cases, doctors might give special medications to put a patient into a temporary coma. This is usually done to protect the brain and help it heal after a very serious injury or surgery. It's called an "induced coma."

How Long Do Comas Last?

The length of a coma can be different for everyone. Most comas don't last longer than a few weeks. During this time, doctors and nurses work hard to keep the person stable and help their brain recover.

Sometimes, a coma can last for a much longer time, even months or years. When a coma lasts a very long time, it becomes much harder for the person to wake up and fully recover.

Recovery from a Coma

When someone wakes up from a coma, their recovery can be a long and challenging journey. They might need a lot of help to regain their strength and abilities. This often involves:

• Hospital Care: People recovering from a coma usually need to stay in the hospital for a while. They receive constant medical attention.
• Therapy: They might need different types of therapy, like physical therapy to help them move again, occupational therapy to help with daily tasks, and speech therapy to help them talk and swallow.
• Support: Family and friends play a very important role in supporting someone who is recovering from a coma.

Every person's recovery is unique. Some people make a full recovery, while others might have lasting effects from the coma.

Images for kids

• 

  Decorticate posturing, showing a specific body position that can happen with certain brain injuries.

See also

In Spanish: Coma (medicina) para niños