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Induced eat: what is it and what is it for

by Alivia Nyhan
Published: Last Updated on

In general, when we talk about a person in a coma we associate it with an important health problem, since it is known that it is a delicate state and that it will not really bring anything good. Even so, a coma does not always have to mean something negative, since there is another type called induced coma, a term that in many people can cause confusion. It is a condition caused by doctors when a patient has suffered a serious injury, and it is necessary to keep his body working only fulfilling vital functions and thus promote his recovery, which in many cases can be the only alternative for his salvation . In the following FastlyHealarticle we will talk about induced coma: what it is and what it is for .

What is induced coma

Induced coma consists of “disconnecting” the brain and taking it to a deep unconscious state in order to reduce the consumption of blood, glucose and oxygen it needs, this is done through the administration of drugs called barbiturates . This is indicated in the event that a person suffers a serious injury that exerts pressure on the brain, for example: due to an accident or in the event that neurosurgery is required and this is practiced, to protect the person. It is also indicated in case the person requires help from mechanical ventilation, for example in pneumonia .

As the person is in a completely sedated state, he will not respond to any stimulus, which is the effect that is needed because in this way the amount of blood and oxygen required by the brain is reduced; this in turn allows doctors to monitor the patient’s brain state and keep him in this sedated state, until the body recovers .

What is the induced coma for?

Induced coma serves to protect the brain while the body recovers , it also protects it in case of interventions, for its safety, to reduce pain (as in the case of burns) and thus cause sedation in the patient, leading him to a state of “Amnesia” so that the person does not remember what happened during the coma.

Despite being in this state of sedation and the individual’s consciousness is neutralized, the brain allows it to maintain its proper vital functions. Induced coma is only applied in cases of extreme necessity and which in turn must be protected.

What are the risks of induced coma

Currently it is not very clear what the possible advantages of induced coma could be, since when this procedure is selected it is because the person is in a serious condition. Its only benefits could be that the person does not suffer from their state of sedation and that the doctor, in turn, can evaluate brain activity; However, as it is a procedure that is applied to people with serious injuries, the technique can also present risks, basically it will depend on the person. Some report that brain activity deteriorates after induced coma.

Others indicate that this procedure is not effective in cases of cerebral aneurysms or intracranial hemorrhages, because it does not produce the desired effect. The difference of this type of coma is that it is induced and has a greater probability of awakening with respect to the natural coma, however this probability will also depend on how long the person has been subjected to the induced coma, that is why if the patient has already had a prolonged time , for example around 4 months there is a higher frequency of brain deterioration, because the induced inactivity in the brain was for a very long period and it is normal for it to present sequelae. This is why the induced coma can cause risks and its results can be as effective as not and are considered to be nonspecific, because it can recover without any problem, as well as it can present brain damage for life .

The time in which a person wakes up will depend on:

  • How long the patient lasts with the induced coma.
  • On the intensity of the sedation process.
  • Of the severity of the injury.
  • The age of the patient.

These factors have a significant influence since the longer you last with sedation, the greater the probability that the recovery will not be complete, for example, there are some who wake up almost instantly when the barbiturate drugs are withdrawn and there are other people who can take days to wake up.

This article is merely informative, at FastlyHeal .com we do not have the power to prescribe medical treatments or make any type of diagnosis. We invite you to see a doctor in the case of presenting any type of condition or discomfort.

If you want to read more articles similar to Induced eat: what it is and what it is for , we recommend that you enter our category of Medication and medical tests .

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