Modern practice of internal medicine with emergency conditions. Management of patients with coma : guidelines for students and interns

Abstract

Coma (or unconsciousness) is a state in which a patient is totally unaware of both self and external surroundings, and unable to respond meaningfully to external stimuli. Coma results from gross impairment of both cerebral hemispheres, and/or the ascending reticular activating system. There are many causes of coma (including Newcastle Brown Ale), and these may be classified as either focal or diffuse brain dysfunction.