Vegetative state: Difference between revisions

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{{Infobox medical condition
| name            = Vegetative state
| synonyms        = Unresponsive wakefulness syndrome
| field          = [[Neurology]]
| symptoms        = [[Wakefulness]] without awareness, no response to external stimuli
| complications  = [[Infection]], [[pressure sores]], [[muscle contractures]]
| onset          = After [[coma]]
| duration        = Can be [[permanent]] or [[transient]]
| causes          = Severe [[brain injury]], [[anoxic brain injury]], [[stroke]]
| risks          = [[Traumatic brain injury]], [[cardiac arrest]], [[cerebrovascular accident]]
| diagnosis      = [[Clinical assessment]], [[neuroimaging]]
| differential    = [[Minimally conscious state]], [[locked-in syndrome]], [[brain death]]
| treatment      = Supportive care, [[physical therapy]], [[occupational therapy]]
| prognosis      = Varies; poor if persistent beyond 12 months
| frequency      = Unknown, varies by cause and region
}}
'''Vegetative state''' is a condition of profound non-responsiveness in the wakeful state. It is a state of unconsciousness, where the individual is alive but is not aware of their surroundings or themselves. This condition is usually the result of a severe brain injury.
'''Vegetative state''' is a condition of profound non-responsiveness in the wakeful state. It is a state of unconsciousness, where the individual is alive but is not aware of their surroundings or themselves. This condition is usually the result of a severe brain injury.
==Definition==
==Definition==
A [[vegetative state]] is a condition of wakefulness without awareness. The individual is awake but shows no signs of awareness of self or environment. This condition is usually caused by severe brain damage, often due to trauma or disease.
A [[vegetative state]] is a condition of wakefulness without awareness. The individual is awake but shows no signs of awareness of self or environment. This condition is usually caused by severe brain damage, often due to trauma or disease.
==Causes==
==Causes==
The most common causes of vegetative state are severe [[brain injury]], [[stroke]], [[brain tumor]], and [[diseases of the nervous system]]. Other causes can include [[drug overdose]], [[hypoxia]], or [[cardiac arrest]].
The most common causes of vegetative state are severe [[brain injury]], [[stroke]], [[brain tumor]], and [[diseases of the nervous system]]. Other causes can include [[drug overdose]], [[hypoxia]], or [[cardiac arrest]].
==Diagnosis==
==Diagnosis==
Diagnosis of a vegetative state is based on clinical observation and assessment. The individual is observed for signs of awareness and responsiveness. Neurological tests, such as [[MRI]] and [[EEG]], may also be used to assess brain function.
Diagnosis of a vegetative state is based on clinical observation and assessment. The individual is observed for signs of awareness and responsiveness. Neurological tests, such as [[MRI]] and [[EEG]], may also be used to assess brain function.
==Treatment==
==Treatment==
Treatment for a vegetative state is primarily supportive. This includes maintaining the individual's physical health and preventing complications. In some cases, rehabilitation therapies may be used to try to improve function.
Treatment for a vegetative state is primarily supportive. This includes maintaining the individual's physical health and preventing complications. In some cases, rehabilitation therapies may be used to try to improve function.
==Prognosis==
==Prognosis==
The prognosis for a vegetative state is generally poor. Most individuals do not recover full awareness or function. However, some individuals may improve over time, particularly if the vegetative state is due to a reversible condition.
The prognosis for a vegetative state is generally poor. Most individuals do not recover full awareness or function. However, some individuals may improve over time, particularly if the vegetative state is due to a reversible condition.
==See also==
==See also==
* [[Coma]]
* [[Coma]]
* [[Brain death]]
* [[Brain death]]
* [[Locked-in syndrome]]
* [[Locked-in syndrome]]
[[Category:Neurological disorders]]
[[Category:Neurological disorders]]
[[Category:Consciousness]]
[[Category:Consciousness]]
[[Category:Medical terms]]
[[Category:Medical terms]]
{{stub}}
{{stub}}
==References==
==References==
<references />
<references />
==External links==
==External links==
* [https://www.ninds.nih.gov/Disorders/Patient-Caregiver-Education/Fact-Sheets/Disorders-Consciousness-Fact-Sheet National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke: Disorders of Consciousness]
* [https://www.ninds.nih.gov/Disorders/Patient-Caregiver-Education/Fact-Sheets/Disorders-Consciousness-Fact-Sheet National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke: Disorders of Consciousness]
* [https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-15427954 BBC News: 'Vegetative state' patients can respond, study shows]
* [https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-15427954 BBC News: 'Vegetative state' patients can respond, study shows]
This page was last edited on 1 January 2022, at 00:00 (UTC).
This page was last edited on 1 January 2022, at 00:00 (UTC).
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Text is available under the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Text_of_Creative_Commons_Attribution-ShareAlike_3.0_Unported_License Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License]; additional terms may apply. By using this site, you agree to the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Terms_of_Use Terms of Use] and [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Privacy_policy Privacy Policy]. Wikipedia® is a registered trademark of the [https://wikimediafoundation.org/ Wikimedia Foundation, Inc.], a non-profit organization.
 
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Latest revision as of 00:25, 4 April 2025


Vegetative state
Synonyms Unresponsive wakefulness syndrome
Pronounce N/A
Specialty N/A
Symptoms Wakefulness without awareness, no response to external stimuli
Complications Infection, pressure sores, muscle contractures
Onset After coma
Duration Can be permanent or transient
Types N/A
Causes Severe brain injury, anoxic brain injury, stroke
Risks Traumatic brain injury, cardiac arrest, cerebrovascular accident
Diagnosis Clinical assessment, neuroimaging
Differential diagnosis Minimally conscious state, locked-in syndrome, brain death
Prevention N/A
Treatment Supportive care, physical therapy, occupational therapy
Medication N/A
Prognosis Varies; poor if persistent beyond 12 months
Frequency Unknown, varies by cause and region
Deaths N/A


Vegetative state is a condition of profound non-responsiveness in the wakeful state. It is a state of unconsciousness, where the individual is alive but is not aware of their surroundings or themselves. This condition is usually the result of a severe brain injury.

Definition[edit]

A vegetative state is a condition of wakefulness without awareness. The individual is awake but shows no signs of awareness of self or environment. This condition is usually caused by severe brain damage, often due to trauma or disease.

Causes[edit]

The most common causes of vegetative state are severe brain injury, stroke, brain tumor, and diseases of the nervous system. Other causes can include drug overdose, hypoxia, or cardiac arrest.

Diagnosis[edit]

Diagnosis of a vegetative state is based on clinical observation and assessment. The individual is observed for signs of awareness and responsiveness. Neurological tests, such as MRI and EEG, may also be used to assess brain function.

Treatment[edit]

Treatment for a vegetative state is primarily supportive. This includes maintaining the individual's physical health and preventing complications. In some cases, rehabilitation therapies may be used to try to improve function.

Prognosis[edit]

The prognosis for a vegetative state is generally poor. Most individuals do not recover full awareness or function. However, some individuals may improve over time, particularly if the vegetative state is due to a reversible condition.

See also[edit]

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References[edit]

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External links[edit]

This page was last edited on 1 January 2022, at 00:00 (UTC). Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License; additional terms may apply. By using this site, you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Wikipedia® is a registered trademark of the Wikimedia Foundation, Inc., a non-profit organization.