Is persistent vegetative state the same as brain death?

The difference between brain death and a vegetative state, which can happen after extensive brain damage, is that it’s possible to recover from a vegetative state, but brain death is permanent. Someone in a vegetative state still has a functioning brain stem, which means: some form of consciousness may exist.

What is the difference between persistent vegetative state and coma?

The word coma usually refers to the state in which a person appears to be asleep but cannot be awakened. Persistent vegetative state refers to another form of altered consciousness in which the person appears to be awake but does not respond meaningfully to the outside world.

What is the difference between brain dead and coma?

Brain death is not the same as coma, because someone in a coma is unconscious but still alive. Brain death occurs when a critically ill patient dies sometime after being placed on life support. This situation can occur after, for example, a heart attack or stroke.

Are people in PVS legally brain dead?

Brain death is equivalent to death, while PVS is not; management of the latter is more complex because of medical, social, ethical and legal factors.

Is persistent vegetative state death?

Depending on their level of consciousness, patients are considered to be comatose, in a minimally conscious state, in a persistent vegetative state, or brain dead.

What is the brain like in a vegetative state?

A vegetative state occurs when the cerebrum (the part of the brain that controls thought and behavior) no longer functions, but the hypothalamus and brain stem (the parts of the brain that control vital functions, such as sleep cycles, body temperature, breathing, blood pressure, heart rate, and consciousness) continue …

What is deep coma?

A coma is a deep state of unconsciousness. It can happen as a result of a traumatic accident, such as a blow to the head, or a medical condition, for example, some types of infection. Coma is different from sleep because the person is unable to wake up. It is not the same as brain death.

Is brain death same as death?

When someone is brain dead, it means that the brain is no longer working in any capacity and never will again. Other organs, such as the heart, kidneys or liver, can still work for a short time if the breathing machine is left in place, but when brain death is declared, it means the person has died.

Is there a difference between brain dead and no brain activity?

No brain function exists. Brain death results from swelling in the brain; blood flow in the brain ceases and without blood to oxygenate the cells, the tissue dies. It is irreversible. Once brain tissue dies, there is nothing that can be done to heal it.