Definition
The artificial coma is a term for a long maintained general anesthesia. Just like a short-term general anesthesia during an operation, an artificial coma consists of several aspects. The sensation of pain, the consciousness and the muscle work with drugs are eliminated.
This is often a way to give the body time to recover from serious surgery and injuries. The circulation and function of the brain is monitored and protected and the energy and oxygen demand is reduced. The stress experienced by the body during life-threatening illnesses and injuries is also reduced, which increases the chances of recovery.
Causes & Application
An artificial coma, i.e. the maintenance of anaesthesia, is used to treat life-threatening diseases and injuries. Among the illnesses are, for example, a threatening blood poisoning with a so-called septic shock. The body is often severely weakened by bacteria in the blood and must be treated with antibiotic therapy.
The artificial coma prevents an excessive stress reaction of the body, which could otherwise endanger the person concerned. Another example of a reason for an artificial coma is major surgery. For example, after brain or heart surgery, an artificial coma is often induced in order to protect the body and to have a more precise control over the health condition of the person affected.
Another reason for inducing an artificial coma are serious injuries, especially if the brain is affected. It can prevent involuntary movements that interfere with healing and, by buffering the inflammatory reaction, reduce possible pressure development in the brain. A poor ventilation situation in lung diseases may also require a longer anaesthesia.
What do the patients notice?
How much an affected person in an artificial coma is aware of his surroundings depends especially on the depth of the anesthesia. Nowadays, people often try to keep the artificial coma very shallow so that the body is at rest, but the affected person is not deeply unconscious. In experience reports it can be read that the affected persons sometimes perceive the voices of their relatives and remember them.
Sometimes they are also able to perform small movements, such as opening their eyes or moving a toe. Many affected persons also remember nightmares during the artificial coma. This is often a side effect of the drug ketamine, as it can cause hallucinations.
The perception during the artificial coma is therefore very different from person to person and depends on many factors. However, since there is always the possibility that the person affected hears and understands some things, care and psychological support should not be forgotten. Even the famous reading aloud, which is often shown in films, can actually have a positive effect on the relative. In the same way, pleasant smells, such as your favorite perfume, or touches can be perceived.
