What is a Coma?
A coma is generally understood to be a state of unconsciousness from which a patient cannot be awakened. While unconscious, the patient is unable to engage in voluntary actions, does not exhibit a cycle of waking and sleeping, and does not register any reaction to any type of stimulus. Essentially, the comatose patient remains alive, but is completely unable to relate to the world at large. Drawing the name from the Greek word koma, which means deep sleep, a coma can result from a number of different events. Problems with the central nervous system can invoke a coma. Medical crises such as a stroke may also result in the patient entering a comatose state. There are instances where intoxication resulted in the individual falling into a coma for an extended period. Accidents may also result in a coma. Any type of accident that involves head trauma has the potential to result in the individual becoming unconscious and sinking into a coma. This is especially true of a concussion is suspect
