Disease or Syndrome
coma

co·ma [ koh-muh ]
Subclass of:
Unconscious State
Etymology:
Greek koma = deep sleep
Definitions related to comatose:
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(coma) A coma is a deep state of unconsciousness. An individual in a coma is alive but unable to move or respond to his or her environment. Coma may occur as a complication of an underlying illness, or as a result of injuries, such as brain injury. A coma rarely lasts more than 2 to 4 weeks. The outcome for coma depends on the cause, severity, and site of the damage. People may come out of a coma with physical, intellectual, and psychological problems. Some people may remain in a coma for years or even decades. For those people, the most common cause of death is infection, such as pneumonia. NIH: National Institute of Neurological Disorders and StrokeMedlinePlusU.S. National Library of Medicine, 2021
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(coma) A condition in which a patient is in a state of deep sleep and cannot be awakened. A coma may be caused by many things, including trauma, drugs, toxins, or certain diseases.NCI Dictionary of Cancer TermsU.S. National Cancer Institute, 2021
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(coma) A profound state of unconsciousness associated with depressed cerebral activity from which the individual cannot be aroused. Coma generally occurs when there is dysfunction or injury involving both cerebral hemispheres or the brain stem RETICULAR FORMATION.NLM Medical Subject HeadingsU.S. National Library of Medicine, 2021
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(coma) A state of profound unconsciousness associated with markedly depressed cerebral activity. Causes include central nervous system damage, intoxication, and metabolic abnormalities.NCI ThesaurusU.S. National Cancer Institute, 2021
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(coma) Complete absence of wakefulness and content of conscience, which manifests itself as a lack of response to any kind of external stimuli.Human Phenotype Ontology (HPO)The Human Phenotype Ontology Project, 2021
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(coma) Deep unconsciousness where the person is alive but unable to move or respond.Harvard Dictionary of Health TermsHarvard Medical Publishing, 2011
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(coma) Profound state of unconsciousness associated with depressed cerebral activity from which the individual cannot be aroused; coma generally occurs when there is dysfunction or injury involving both cerebral hemispheres or the brain stem.CRISP ThesaurusNational Institutes of Health, 2006
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(coma) State of profound unconsciousness from which a person cannot be roused with minimal or no detectable responsiveness to stimuli; seen in injury or disease of the brain, in systemic conditions such as diabetic ketoacidosis and uremia, and in intoxications with alcohol and other drugs. Coma may also occur in severe catatonic states and in conversion disorder.Sadock's Comprehensive Glossary of Psychiatry and PsychologyBJ Sadock Titles Press, 2012
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A coma is a state of prolonged unconsciousness that can be caused by a variety of problems - traumatic head injury, stroke, brain tumor, drug or alcohol intoxication, or even an underlying illness, such as diabetes or an infection.Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research
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Coma, state of unconsciousness, characterized by loss of reaction to external stimuli and absence of spontaneous nervous activity, usually associated with injury to the cerebrum. Coma may accompany a number of metabolic disorders or physical injuries to the brain from disease or trauma. Different...Encyclopedia Britannica, Inc., 2020
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