Pollen forecast
Dublin

Latest from blog

Every parent’s heart sinks when they receive the dreaded note from school warning about head lice. Don’t worry – Jane Brennan from Brennan’s Life Pharmacy in Donabate is here to to give us advice and tips. The first thing to do is to check the child’s head. You will need some tea tree conditioner, a... Read more >

Are You SunSmart?

We ask Jane Brennan from Brennan’s Life Pharmacy Donabate how to make the most of great sunny summer days whilst protecting our skin from harmful rays. Jane says “The Irish Cancer Society SunSmart program has great guidelines to keep us safe. See below for some useful tips and advice” Ways to protect your skin: Shade... Read more >

Pollen Highs & Watery Eyes

Pollen Highs & Watery Eyes… Talk to Jane Brennan, your Hay Fever Expert in Donabate Are your eyes itchy, red or watery? Is your throat scratchy? Are you sneezing? Do you have itchy ears, nose or mouth? Do you have a blocked or runny nose? Do you wake up feeling exhausted? Hay fever can cause... Read more >

Bringing you the best health advice for your family

NHS Choices - Features of disorders of consciousness

(31/10/2013)

Different disorders of consciousness can be classified by the brain functions affected.

The main disorders of consciousness are outlined below.

Coma

A coma is when a person shows no signs of being awake and no signs of being aware. A person in a coma lies with their eyes closed and doesn't respond to their environment, voices or pain.

A coma usually lasts for less than two to four weeks, during which time a person may wake up or progress into a vegetative state or minimally conscious state.

Vegetative state

A vegetative state is when a person is awake but is showing no signs of awareness.

A person in a vegetative state may open their eyes, wake up and fall asleep at regular intervals and have basic reflexes, such as blinking when they are startled by a loud noise or withdrawing their hand when it's squeezed hard. They are also able to regulate their heartbeat and breathing without assistance.

However, a person in a vegetative state does not show any meaningful responses, such as following an object with their eyes or responding to voices. They will also show no signs of experiencing emotions.

If a person is in a vegetative state for a long time, it may be classified as:

a continuing vegetative state – where someone is in a vegetative state for longer than four weeks
a permanent vegetative state – where someone is in a vegetative state for either more than six months (if caused by a non-traumatic brain injury) or more than 12 months (if caused by a traumatic brain injury).

See causes of impaired consciousness for more information about the different types of brain damage.

If a person is diagnosed as being in a permanent vegetative state, recovery is extremely unlikely but not impossible.

Minimally conscious state

A person who shows clear but minimal or inconsistent awareness is classified as being in a minimally conscious state. They may have periods where they can communicate or respond to commands, such as moving a finger when asked.

A person may enter a minimally conscious state after being in a coma or vegetative state. In some cases a minimally conscious state is a stage on the route to recovery, but in others it's permanent.

As with vegetative state, a minimally conscious state may be considered to be continuing if it lasts longer than four weeks. However, it is more difficult to diagnose a permanent minimally conscious state because it depends on things such as the type and severity of the brain injury and how responsive the person is.

In most cases, a minimally conscious state is not usually considered to be permanent until it has lasted for several years.

Back to Vegetative state