The content of this article is approved by “drhealthandbeauty” experts.
Note: This article is only to guide and increase your knowledge. Before taking any action, you can consult “drhealthandbeauty” doctors or your doctor for treatment.
Vegetative life, or the unconscious and unresponsive state, is a specific neurological diagnosis in which a person has an active brainstem but no consciousness or cognitive function. People who are unconscious and unresponsive experience sleep and wakefulness alternately.
Currently, there is no definitive cure for patients with vegetative life. However, there are treatments to help improve the patient’s quality of life and manage symptoms.
These treatments include supportive care such as tube feeding, physical therapy, occupational therapy, and medication to control pain, seizures, and other symptoms.
Research into plant life is ongoing, and scientists are trying to find ways to enhance awareness and brain function in these patients. Some research focuses on the use of stem cells and brain stimulation. Although there is still no definitive cure, there is hope to find ways to help these patients and improve their quality of life.
There are claims about the effectiveness of some traditional medicine methods in treating patients with vegetative life. However, there is no scientific evidence to support these claims. Some of these methods can be dangerous and endanger the patient’s health.
It is always better to consult a doctor before starting any treatment. The doctor can guide you about the best treatment options for the patient’s condition.
One of the most critical factors in determining the life expectancy of patients with vegetative life is the underlying cause of the disease.
Another important factor in determining the life expectancy of patients with vegetative life is age. Younger patients often have better survival rates than older patients. The length of time a patient has been in a vegetative state can also affect life expectancy. Typically, the longer a patient remains in this condition, the harder it is to predict recovery or long-term survival.
The life expectancy of patients in a vegetative state varies depending on various factors. On average, patients in a persistent vegetative state (PVS) may live longer, especially if they receive high-quality medical care. However, statistics show that most patients do not survive more than 2 to 5 years in a vegetative state. Survival rates can vary by age, with younger patients living somewhat longer.
In comparison, life expectancy in patients in a vegetative state is shorter than in other neurological diseases such as locked-in syndrome or minimally conscious state, in which patients have some degree of awareness and responsiveness.
It is possible that the patient will not recover in a vegetative state. The likelihood of recovery depends heavily on the cause of the brain injury.
In cases of severe brain damage, the patient may never recover from the vegetative state.
Caring for a vegetative patient can be very difficult and sad. It is important not to lose hope and to seek support from support groups and medical professionals. There is no definitive cure for plant life, but research is ongoing. Decisions about the care of the vegetative patient should be made carefully and in consultation with medical professionals and the family.
Medical care plays an essential role in increasing the life span of patients in a vegetative state. Although the care of vegetative patients is continuous and complex, it is not possible to determine how long it will last.
However, intensive and continuous medical support, including artificial nutrition and hydration, respiratory care, infection prevention, and measures to prevent problems due to immobility and proper nutrition, can significantly increase survival.
Technological advances in monitoring and treating complications, such as sepsis or respiratory failure, have also increased life expectancy.
Providing a good diet (nutritional support) is essential. People are fed through a tube that enters the stomach through the nose (tube feeding). Sometimes, they are fed through a tube that goes straight into the stomach or small intestine through an incision in the abdomen. Medicines can also be prescribed through these probes.
The function of these tubes is very similar to stents in kidney patients. You can refer to the article “What Is A Stent For Kidney Stones? Painless Removal” to understand its function and care.
To prevent contractures, physical therapists gently move the joints in all directions (passive range of motion exercises) or immobilize the joints in certain positions.
Since people are incontinent, you should carefully clean and dry their skin. If the bladder does not work and urine remains, a tube (catheter) may be inserted to drag the urine. Catheters are thoroughly cleaned and checked regularly to prevent urinary tract infections.
This can be one of the obvious difficulties of cognitive diseases. Something like Parkinson’s.
Related: “What Is The Hardest Part About Having Parkinson’s?“
If recovery is unlikely, physicians and family members, and sometimes the hospital’s ethics committee, should discuss how to deal with possible future medical problems and if necessary life support treatment should be withheld at all.
Each patient’s life course is unique, with different outcomes depending on medical care and treatment, decisions families make, and the patient’s initial condition. These examples emphasize the importance of personal care and the need to make informed decisions.
Rehabilitative treatment without intensive features is mainly performed to prevent secondary damage, maintain residual function, stimulate sensory stimulation, and strengthen emotional-relational aspects. Rehabilitation treatment includes physiotherapist interventions, but nursing manoeuvres also play an important role in this process and are associated with a meaningful relationship on a daily basis.
In general, the patient’s recovery depends on the following:
Average life expectancy varies and ranges from 2 to 5 years, but some patients may live longer with proper medical care and treatment.
Recovery is rare and depends on various factors, including the cause of the vegetative state and the length of time the patient has been in this state.
Families can seek support from care teams through counselling, nursing support groups, and medical professional guidance.
An unaware and unresponsive nervous state does not mean brain death! The brain stem of the patient is still active, and he has a regular sleep and wake cycle, But he is unaware of his surroundings and cannot interact with it. This nervous state usually follows a coma. Treatment consists of supportive care, and recovery depends largely on the extent of brain damage.
The first signs of recovery may be following a simple instruction, such as the patient squeezing the companion’s hand. The person may try to communicate by nodding, reaching, or pointing. The progress and improvement of the patient’s symptoms can be stopped for a period and resumed again. The quality of recovery varies from person to person.
Master’s degree in private law
Legal advisor
Webmaster
PHP, HTML, CSS courses
Google digital marketing course
Search engine optimization
Web designer
UI/UX designer
Email: [email protected]
Dr. Majid Zohrabi started treating his patients in Dubai in 2022 and continues his activities in private medical centers in the UAE.