Being in a coma for years is a very disorienting and confusing experience. People in comas are unaware of their surroundings and unable to respond to the world around them. During this time, the body is in a state of paralysis, meaning the person cannot move or talk.
In most cases, they are completely unaware of what is happening and unable to interact with loved ones.
The physical effects of a coma can be even more devastating. In some cases, the person’s body can atrophy, meaning the muscles and bones can weaken due to lack of use. The person may also experience serious medical conditions such as bedsores, malnutrition, and dehydration due to their inability to move.
Being in a coma for years is a difficult experience for both the person in the coma and their loved ones. For those in a coma, their sense of time is distorted and it can be hard for them to adjust when they eventually emerge from the coma.
The recovery process can be lengthy and extremely challenging. For family and friends, the experience of watching a loved one in a coma can be heartbreaking and traumatic. It is important to remember to show compassion and provide emotional support during this extremely difficult time.
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What is the longest time someone has been in a coma and woke up?
The longest time someone has been in a coma and woken up is 37 years. In September, 2013, Munira Abdulla from the United Arab Emirates emerged from her coma after 37 years, the longest known coma in recorded medical history.
Munira suffered severe brain injuries in a car accident in the early 1970s and fell into a coma in 1976. In 2013, Munira showed sudden signs of consciousness, and with the help of extensive physical and speech therapy, she was able to communicate.
She still has disability due to her brain injury, and she is mostly wheelchair-bound but also able to walk with assistance. Her family stated that despite her condition, Munira has retained her sense of humour and still recognises her family and friends.
What is the longest coma ever survived?
The longest coma ever survived is LaShay Plummer’s nearly 10-year coma. In February 2003, Plummer was shot in the head in a random drive-by shooting in her hometown of Baltimore, Maryland. She spent the following nine years in a coma, and made a miraculous recovery in 2012.
While out of her coma, she learned to speak, feed and dress herself, and do an array of activities she had never done before. Plummer and her family credit prayers and support as key contributing factors to her recovery.
Plummer is now married and works as a certified life coach and mentor.
Can people in a coma hear you?
Yes, people in a coma can hear you, although they may not be able to respond or show signs that they can hear you. It is common for family and friends to talk to people in comas, as research shows that this can help with recovery.
According to the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, speaking to someone in a coma may create different brainwave patterns, which can be interpreted as a response. It is also important to provide reassurance and comfort to the person in a coma, and speaking to them can help with this.
Additionally, it can make the person feel less isolated, and give them familiarity with their loved ones’ voices. It is also important for carers to observe the person in a coma for any responses, including any changes in breathing, body movements, and pupil dilation.
Do you dream in a coma?
The answer to this question is not known for certain, as people in a coma do not typically have the ability to communicate their experiences. However, some anecdotal evidence suggests that people may dream during a coma.
While people in a coma are usually unconscious and lack awareness of their surroundings, studies have shown that some may still have brain activity in the form of alpha and delta waves, which are associated with dreaming.
Furthermore, a small number of people who have been in comas have reported dreaming during this time.
The opinion among health professionals varies when it comes to whether or not people in a coma are able to dream. Some believe that it is possible for those in a coma to experience a mental journey, or dream-like state, but there is a lack of scientific evidence to support this.
Others suggest that dreaming may be impossible for those in a coma because the anatomy and functioning of the brain are significantly altered.
Ultimately, the answer to this question remains a mystery due to the lack of information and research available on the topic.
Is Sarah Scantlin still alive?
Yes, Sarah Scantlin is still alive. Sarah is an American singer, songwriter and musician, best known for her album “Ain’t That Pretty”. She released her debut album “Naked Afternoon” in 1986 and has released a total of 14 albums since then.
The most recent was released in 2019, titled “The Wide Awake & Moving”. Sarah has also released singles and toured extensively throughout the US and Europe. She continues to write and record music, with plans to tour in 2021.
Can someone wake up from a coma after 20 years?
Yes, it is possible for someone to wake up from a coma after 20 years. While comas that last for such an extended period are very rare, it is not unheard of. In some instances, people have recovered from comas that have lasted 10 years or even more.
In fact, there are a few reports of people who have awoken from comas spanning decades. The chances of recovery and the length of time a person may remain in in a coma depends on the initial cause of the coma and the severity of any underlying medical conditions or injuries.
In general, comas lasting longer than a few weeks can be classified as a persistent vegetative state (PVS), which greatly decreases the prospects of any meaningful recovery. Even in cases where it may seem as though a patient may never awaken, families and caregivers should not give up on the possibility until medical experts have advised that no further recovery is possible.
What’s the shortest a coma can last?
The shortest a coma can last is only a few minutes or several hours. In cases of transient comas, the coma may last a few minutes and typically occurs in the setting of a seizure. This is known as an absence seizure, the person completely loses consciousness for a few seconds to a few minutes, depending on the individual, and then regains consciousness with no residual issues.
On the other end of the spectrum, a coma may last several hours. This is known as a prolonged coma, and is seen in cases of extremely severe head injury, stroke, or drug overdose. In many cases, a longer coma may result in permanent neurological impairment and even death.
What do people experience while in a coma?
When someone is in a coma, it is hard to say exactly what they are experiencing since no two comas are the same and each person may be experiencing something different. However, there are some general characteristics of comas that can be discussed.
In a medically induced coma, a person may experience nothing at all – the chemicals used to induce the coma act as a powerful sedative and numb feeling. On the other hand, in a natural coma, they may experience sensations or dream-like states, but they will be unable to communicate as they have lost consciousness.
In addition, during a coma, a person’s brain activity can still be detected and monitored, so some people report being aware of a “presence” or feeling as if someone is trying to communicate with them.
Also, changes in the body such as increased heart rate, sweating, and movement may be present during a coma but cannot be reported by the patient.
In any case, when a person is in a coma, they cannot interact with their environment in any way and must be monitored closely for changes in vital signs or any signs of progression.
What a person sees in coma?
A coma is a deep state of unconsciousness in which a person is completely unresponsive, and cannot be awakened by any external stimuli. So when someone is in a coma, they are in an altered state of consciousness, unable to respond to anything around them.
They are completely unaware of their surroundings and the things that happen during their time in a coma. Those in a coma do not experience anything, meaning they do not see, hear, or feel anything.
However, there have been some cases where individuals have reported certain things while in a coma. Although reports vary from person to person, some have claimed to see a bright light, hear voices and music, or even experience dreams.
Scientists believe that these experiences happen due to the brain’s attempt to make sense of impulses coming from the senses, even though a person may not be able to move or respond.
In conclusion, a person in a coma does not see anything in the traditional sense. However, some individuals have reported certain sensory experiences, usually in the form of dream-like memories or hallucinations.
These reports can likely be attributed to the brain attempting to process incoming sensory information.
Do people remember being in a coma?
In general, people do not remember being in a coma. Being in a coma is a state of suspended consciousness, meaning that patients lose both the awareness of their environment and the ability to respond to it.
Those in comas lack cortex functioning and the cerebral cortex is the part of the brain responsible for memory formation and retrieval. Therefore, most people do not have an active recall of their experience in a coma.
It is possible, however, for people to remember fragmentary details from their coma. These details may include auditory or visual impressions, pain, and emotions. These fragments of memory associated with a coma may be difficult to recall and may fade over time.
Additionally, they may be incomplete and could include distorted accounts of what actually happened during the coma. In rare instances, people may remember feelings and sensations experienced during the coma, although this is the exception rather than the rule.
Do coma patients know they were in a coma?
The short answer is that it depends. For some coma patients, the answer is yes. There are cases in which coma patients have had a so-called “lucid dream” in which they are aware of their state of unconsciousness and can recall aspects of their environment.
For other coma patients, the answer is no. Even in cases where patients have reported lucid dreams, they may not have an accurate recollection of being in a coma. Similarly, others may not remember anything at all about their time in a coma.
Given the inconsistencies in coma patients’ memories and recollections, there is no definitive answer when it comes to whether or not coma patients know they were in a coma. It is important to remember that coma patients are individual people with their own unique experiences, and the answer will vary from person to person.
How long will a hospital keep someone in a coma?
The amount of time someone stays in a coma depends on several factors, including their age and overall health. Generally speaking, the younger the person is and the better their overall health, the shorter the coma will be.
However, recovery can take weeks, months, or even years in some cases. In general, if the person exhibits no brain activity and they’re unable to breathe on their own when they’re brought in, the predictability of recovery tends to be lower.
In these cases, doctors may recommend that families consider hospice care and end of life planning. Depending on the condition of the person and their age, doctors may decide to keep someone in a coma for anywhere from days to weeks.
In some cases, however, patients can remain in a coma for months or even years. Ultimately, each situation is unique and must be assessed on an individual basis.
Is coma like sleep?
No, coma is not like sleep. Coma is a state of deep unconsciousness from which a person cannot be aroused and is characterized by the total lack of any response to external stimuli and lack of awareness of the environment.
Sleep, on the other hand, is a natural state of rest during which a person experiences altered consciousness. People are able to hear or respond to stimuli during sleep, and generally wake up quickly.
Furthermore, sleep is a normal, natural, and cyclical process that serves a restorative purpose in promoting physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing. The sleep cycle is regulated by a complex network of hormones.
Coma is an unconscious state caused by injury or disease and is often used as a last resort to protect the brain from further damage. This state is usually related to specific medical conditions, such as traumatic brain injuries, strokes, and drug overdoses.
It is not a natural process, and generally suggests a medical emergency.
Who woke up from the longest coma?
The longest coma ever recorded was in 1997, when a woman named Susan Schwaracz, then 49 years old, woke up after remaining in a vegetative state for nearly 28 years. It is thought that after a long-term illness in 1969, which left her suffering from a high fever and severe headaches, she fell into a coma.
After spending almost three decades in a vegetative state, her family and doctors were shocked to hear her first words in late 1997.
Susan’s story is truly remarkable. Medical experts believe that Susan’s awakening was due to a combination of careful monitoring and appropriate nursing care at the time of her illness, positive attitude and dedication of her family, and perhaps most importantly, her own strong spirit.
Although she had regressed significantly into a vegetative state, her physical condition improved over time, and she was able to perform basic functions like breathing on her own. Stanley Ducharme, the head of the neurology department at the University Of Michigan Hospital, stated that her recovery was “one of those miracles we can’t explain.
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In 2005, Susan and her family held an event to celebrate her recovery and thank her caretakers. At the time of this event, Susan was 77 years old, with plans to move closer to her family and eventually marry.
As of 2020, Susan’s family still does not know how long she has been awake and is content to simply keep helping her on the road to recovery.
