What happens when a person comes out of a coma?
A person who has been in a coma does not wake up suddenly. It is usually a gradual process, with the person becoming more aware of their surroundings and more able to respond, in stages. Gradually they will begin to open their eyes and to show they can recognise those around them. It may take a long time to recover from being in a coma, often weeks or months. Many people recover completely following a coma. In other cases, depending on what caused the coma and whether the brain has been permanently injured, a person may be left with a permanent physical, cognitive (thinking) or behavioural impairment. In such cases the person has to try and re-learn basic things such as how to talk and how to look after him or herself. The longer a person stays in a coma, the more likely that the long-term effects will be severe.
