Coma: Have a Grasp of How to Diagnose It

by Manya Verma Health care and lifestyle

Since people who sink into a coma lose their ability to express themselves, the onus lies on neurologist doctors to rely heavily upon physical information and clues put forward by the patient’s families and loved ones. You have to be ready to provide necessary information like the ones stated below in connection with the affected person.

1.        The series of events preceding the genesis of coma, for example, headaches, nausea, or vomiting.

2.        Detailed information pertaining to the circumstances leading up to the person losing consciousness – this might include details if the incident of coma was a sudden one or experienced over a certain period of time.

3.        Any obvious signs or symptoms before the loss of consciousness.

4.        The medical history of the person affected by coma – this should take in facts about different other medical conditions the person might have suffered from in the past, for instance, events of stroke and short-lived ischemic attacks.

5.        Changes which might, of late, have happened to the health of behavior of the afflicted person.

6.        The history of any unrestricted use of prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications and other illegal medications such as drugs inhaled as part of recreation.

Physical examination

Amid the physical examination a neurologist in Gurgaon will check the following for the affected person.

·         Movements and reflexes

·         Reaction to hurtful stimuli

·         The size of the pupil

·         In addition, breathing patterns of the patient will be constantly put under a scanner to help obtain an accurate diagnosis of coma.

·         Even the doctor may check for potential signs of bruises or wounds on the skin that may surface because of trauma.

·         With intent to assess the level of consciousness of the affected person, the neurologist doctor may engage in speaking in a loud tone or putting pressure on the nail bed or the angle of the jaw.

·         Doctors will keep an eye on possible signs of arousal, for example, opening and closing or other movements of the eyes, vocal sounds, etc.

·         Doctors will put spontaneous eye movements to the test.

·         These tests aid and abet in concluding the exact cause of coma together with the area where the brain damage is localized.

·         Sometimes, doctors may also spray warm or ice-cold water into the ear canals of the affected person and keep the eye responses under surveillance.

Laboratory tests

·         The best neurosurgeon in India refers to samples of blood to be taken to examine the following.

o    Carbon monoxide poisoning

o    Complete blood count

o    Drug or alcohol overdose

o    Electrolyte and glucose level

o    Kidney, liver, and thyroid function

·         To verify signs indicating probable infections within the nervous system, a spinal tap or lumbar puncture will be taken recourse to.

·         All through a spinal tap, at the best neurology hospital in Delhi, a needle inserted inside the spinal canal is used for the collection and analysis of a small amount of fluid by doctors or neuro specialists.

Brain Scans

·         Imaging tests lend a helping hand to a leading neurosurgeon in India in pinpointing the correct areas of brain injury. Important tests may include:

o    Computerized tomography (CT) scan

§  Doctors significantly benefit from the X-ray images done during a CT scan to see and get clarity on the occurrence of a brain hemorrhage, stroke, and the presence of a brain tumor or other conditions.

§  Thus, CT scans are used frequently to diagnose and ascertain the cause of coma.

o    Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)

§  These scans with their detailed views can distinguish damage brought about to the brain tissues due to attacks such as brain hemorrhage or ischemic stroke.

§  In particular, MRI scans come of substantial use to examine the brainstem and profound internal brain structures.

o    Electroencephalography (EEG)

§  This test evaluates the degree of the electrical activity that’s happening within the brain by recording its inherent electrical impulses.

§  This test can do a good turn to doctors by determining whether seizures are responsible for causing coma.

Experts at Paras, considered the best neurosurgery hospital in Delhi, vouch for the fact that coma is a medical emergency and its treatment is dependent on the precise cause. If your loved one develops signs and symptoms of a coma, immediately call the local emergency number for urgent help.

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Created on Jul 15th 2019 23:58. Viewed 416 times.

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