Abstract
Coma represents a true medical emergency. Drug intoxications are a leading cause of coma; however, other metabolic disturbances and traumatic brain injury are also common causes. The general emergency department approach begins with stabilization of airway, breathing, and circulation, followed by a thorough physical examination to generate a limited differential diagnosis that is then refined by focused testing. Definitive treatment is ultimately disease-specific. This article presents an overview of the pathophysiology, causes, examination, and treatment of coma.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 777-793 |
Number of pages | 17 |
Journal | Emergency Medicine Clinics of North America |
Volume | 34 |
Issue number | 4 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Nov 1 2016 |
Keywords
- Coma
- Coma mimics
- Pathophysiology
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Emergency Medicine