Vegetative state
Vegetative State
A Vegetative State (pronounced: vɛdʒɪteɪtɪv steɪt) is a medical condition characterized by impaired consciousness where a patient is awake but not aware.
Etymology
The term "Vegetative State" is derived from the Latin word vegetare, which means to grow or to animate. It was first used in medical literature in the 1970s to describe a state of consciousness that is devoid of cognitive function, despite the preservation of sleep-wake cycles and autonomic functions.
Definition
A Vegetative State is a clinical condition of complete unawareness of the self and the environment, coupled with sleep-wake cycles, with either complete or partial preservation of hypothalamic and brain-stem autonomic functions. In addition, patients in a vegetative state show no evidence of sustained, reproducible, purposeful, or voluntary behavioral responses to visual, auditory, tactile, or noxious stimuli.
Related Terms
- Coma: A state of unconsciousness where a person cannot be awakened.
- Brain Death: The irreversible cessation of all functions of the brain.
- Minimally Conscious State: A condition of severely altered consciousness but with some signs of self-awareness or awareness of one's environment.
- Locked-in Syndrome: A condition in which a patient is aware and awake but cannot move or communicate due to complete paralysis of nearly all voluntary muscles in the body.
Diagnosis
Diagnosis of a Vegetative State is primarily clinical and relies on a thorough neurological examination. It is important to differentiate a Vegetative State from other states of impaired consciousness, such as coma or a minimally conscious state.
Prognosis
The prognosis for patients in a Vegetative State is generally poor, particularly if the state persists beyond four weeks. The majority of patients who recover consciousness do so within the first month following injury.
Treatment
Treatment for a Vegetative State is primarily supportive and includes ensuring the patient is comfortable and addressing any complications such as infections or bedsores.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Vegetative state
- Wikipedia's article - Vegetative state
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