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URL of this page: https://medlineplus.gov/coma.html

Coma

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Summary

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 Stroke

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Reference Desk

  • Cerebral Hypoxia From the National Institutes of Health (National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke) Also in Spanish
  • Coma From the National Institutes of Health (National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke) Also in Spanish

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The information on this site should not be used as a substitute for professional medical care or advice. Contact a health care provider if you have questions about your health.