In the hospital, patients who are unable to eat by mouth are fed through a tube. This tube is called a nasogastric, gastrostomy, or jejunostomy tube. A nasogastric tube is inserted through the nose and goes down the throat into the stomach. A gastrostomy tube is inserted through a small incision in the stomach. A jejunostomy tube is inserted through a small incision in the jejunum (a part of the small intestine).
How Do Hospitals Feed Coma Patients?
There is no one answer to this question as different hospitals have different protocols. However, generally speaking, hospitals will use a feeding tube to nourish coma patients. This involves inserting a tube through the nose or mouth and into the stomach, through which liquid nutrients can be delivered.
When a person is unconscious, it is necessary to remove him or her from the normal chewing and swallowing process, as well as from the gastrointestinal tract entirely. Even if they are still unconscious, comatose patients may open their eyes, move their legs, and even cry while they are still alive. It is also uncommon for those in comas to cough, sneeze, or communicate in any way. A patient with chronic vegetative state is incapable of moving. According to Guinness World Records, Elaine Esposito holds the record for the longest period in a coma. Patients suffering from dementia may benefit from familiar voices, which can aid in the awakening of the unconscious brain and recovery.
More than 1 million people in the United States suffer from PVS. The cause of the problem is unknown in the majority of cases. More than half of these patients are classified as Persistent vegetative state (PVS), which means they do not respond to stimuli, including verbal commands. A feeding tube is frequently used to keep PVS patients alive with hydration and nutrition delivered through it. Breathing assistance, intravenous medications, and other types of supportive care may also be provided to the patient by the doctor. Depending on the cause, the manner in which a patient is treated will vary. To alleviate brain swelling and pressure on the brain, a procedure or medication may be required. Despite the fact that there is no cure for PVS, the disease’s prognosis has improved. These patients may benefit from new treatments, such as deep brain stimulation, in the future.
Providing Top-notch Care To Coma Patients
If a person is in a coma, it is critical that they receive the fluids, nutrients, and medications they require to stay healthy. It is possible that a coma patient will require a feeding tube in order to obtain the food and liquids they require, and others will be unable to breathe on their own. The top priority of staff at a hospital is to provide excellent care to patients.
Do Coma Patients Get Fed?
There is no one answer to this question as it depends on the individual case. In some instances, coma patients may be fed through a feeding tube, while in others they may be able to eat and drink on their own. Ultimately, the decision of whether or not to feed a coma patient will be made by the medical team based on the individual’s needs.
It is not possible to bring someone out of a coma with only one treatment. In addition to physical and neurological rehabilitation, treatments can be used to prevent further damage. A doctor must keep a patient in an ideal state of health if they are in danger of dying. When you electroencephalograph the brain, you can determine whether there is any abnormal electrical activity in the brain. Coma patients are susceptible to pneumonia and other infections. Patients in a coma are frequently kept in the hospital’s intensive care unit, where doctors can keep an eye on them 24 hours a day, seven days a week. A tracheotomy may be required in the case of a coma patient who is still dependent on a ventilator to breathe.
