Anne Heche is in a coma after a car crash. What to know about comas, how long they last.
Anne Heche was hospitalized following a car crash in Los Angeles last week, with the 53-year-old actor in a coma.
Heche is “not expected to survive,” after the crash, according to a statement from Heche’s publicist. Heche’s publicist also confirmed this week that the actor has suffered a “severe anoxic brain injury.” She remains in a coma in critical condition.
“It has long been her choice to donate her organs and she is being kept on life support to determine if any are viable,” the statement added.
Experts advise that there are many different causes of comas and treatments for patients depending on their individual health conditions or concerns.
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What is an anoxic brain injury?
Anoxic brain damage harms a person’s brain due to a lack of oxygen, according to Beth Israel Lahey Health’s Winchester Hospital. Brain cells that do not receive enough oxygen can die in minutes.
Treatment for anoxic brain damage can include medicine to help get blood with oxygen to the brain, cooling the brain and more.
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What is a coma?
A coma is a “state of prolonged unconsciousness” that can be caused by many factors, including a traumatic head injury, stroke, brain tumor, drug or alcohol intoxication and more, according to the Mayo Clinic.
A person in a coma is alive, but they are not able to respond to their environment, according to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. A coma is sometimes also called persistent vegetative state.
Doctors can use drugs to put people in temporary comas, which can be an option for people with traumatic brain injuries, according to the Mayo Clinic.
What are the symptoms of a coma?
The symptoms of a coma can include the following, according to the Mayo Clinic:
- Closed eyes
- Irregular breathing
- Limited reflexes, such as pupils not responding to light
How long can you live in a coma?
A coma does not usually last more than two to four weeks, according to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. The outcome of a coma often depends on the cause and severity of a person’s injuries or conditions.
While some people may become more aware after being in a persistent vegetative state, others can remain in it for years, or decades, according to the institute. Terry Wayne Wallis, an Arkansas man who died earlier this year, spent 19 years in a coma before regaining awareness and speaking in 2003.
How is a coma treated?
A doctor will first check to see if a person in a coma is breathing, according to the Mayo Clinic. Then, treatment will depend on what caused a coma, from addressing a drug overdose to controlling seizures.
A person may require medications or a procedure to reduce pressure on the brain if they experience swelling. They may also receive treatments to prevent pressure sores, urinary tract infections, blood clots in the legs and other long-term problems.
Some people are able to regain normal functions following a coma, but others may have permanent disabilities or need to relearn functions such as walking or speaking.
What should I know if I’m caring for a person in a coma?
If you are with a person who develops a coma, you might be asked some of the following questions by medical personnel in an emergency room or ambulance, according to the Mayo Clinc:
- Did the coma symptoms start gradually or quickly?
- Did the person report problems with their vision, including dizziness?
- Has the person had diabetes, strokes or seizures?
- Did the person experience a fever or headache before the coma?
- Has the person used prescription or nonprescription drugs?
Can a person in a coma hear you?
It is possible for a person in a coma to hear what’s going on, though they can’t respond, according to Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital. If a person visits someone in a coma in a hospital they can read to them, talk to them or play music for them.