If you have a loved one who is currently in a coma or is at increased risk of falling into one, you may wonder what a coma feels like. Understanding what a patient may experience while in a coma can help you determine ways to best care for them.
Of course, there are different levels of severity, and the more severe the damage to the brain, the more severe the coma. Not all coma patients report feeling or remembering something, but some studies suggest that there are certain things loved ones can do to increase the chance of recovery.
Below is a review of what a coma feels like, including information on how healthcare professionals use the Glasgow Coma Scale, whether your loved one can hear you, and what you can do for your loved one.
glasgow comma scale
the glasgow coma scale is a scale from 3 to 15 used by many health care facilities to assess a person’s consciousness. the lower the score, the less aware the patient is. a score of 15 represents a fully awake and conscious person, while a score between 3 and 8 probably suggests that the patient is in a coma. the glasgow coma scale assesses the patient in three different categories: eye opening response, verbal response, and motor response.
The maximum score for the eye opening response is four, indicating that the patient’s eyes are open and able to blink. a score of three means that they only respond to stimuli, and a score of two on the revealing responses table indicates that they only respond to pain. a score of one indicates no response.
the verbal response has a scoring system from five (directed) to one (no response). a score between two and four indicates that the patient’s verbal response is confusing, inappropriate, or incomprehensible. a motor response score ranges from one to six and assesses the patient’s response to pain and other stimuli.
dreamy state
A coma is similar to a dream state because the individual is alive but not conscious. a coma occurs when there is little or no brain activity. the patient is unable to respond to touch, sound, and other stimuli. it is also rare for someone in a coma to cough, sneeze, or communicate in any way. some can breathe on their own, although many who are in a coma need a machine to help them breathe.
can your loved one hear you?
During a coma, the person is unconscious, which means they cannot respond to any sounds. however, the brain may still be able to pick up the sounds of loved ones. in fact, some studies suggest that talking and touching a loved one while they’re in a coma can help them recover.
That said, everyone who falls into a coma has a unique experience. some reported remembering certain events that happened while in a coma, while many others reported not remembering experiencing anything while unconscious.
recovering from a coma
Many people who fall into a coma regain consciousness over time. the ability to recover depends on the cause and severity of the brain damage suffered by the individual. some come out of a coma and recover with little or no long-term effects, while others who come out of a coma may go into a vegetative state.
A vegetative state is similar in that the individual will show no signs of consciousness, despite being awake. the patient may also enter a minimally conscious state, where he shows little awareness that may come and go. those who regain full consciousness may feel frustrated and confused as they come out of the coma. There are often long-term effects, although the severity of the effects varies depending on the nature and cause of the coma.
what you can do for your loved one
It is important to note that recovery from a coma depends primarily on the severity of the brain damage and the cause. however, there are certain things that loved ones can do to potentially improve the chances of recovery.
For example, simple actions like announcing who you are when you walk into the room, having a casual conversation about activities in your life, and holding their hand while you’re with them can help stimulate their senses.
talk to health traditions
If you would like more information on what your loved one could experience if they fall into a coma, contact our team at traditions health today. our hospice care professionals can answer your questions and help you learn more about the end-of-life process.
