The Sensations of a Comatose Patient

A family member that has suffered a head injury, stroke, meningitis and other debilitating illnesses involving the central nervous system must be treated somewhat differently by medical personnel and family members alike.

In the first place, hearing can be stable and the patient could be aware of everything that is said. Be careful what you say in front of the patient; especially if the prognosis is poor. If the patient is comatose for any reason, talk to them. It would be great to hear encouraging words from a family member.

You don't have to be necessarily grim in your conversation, either. Talk about old times: The funny thing that happened with Uncle Bob and the lawn mower, or trying to find the burned-out bulb on the Christmas lights. Although they may not respond to your conversation, it could be very therapeutic for them. Just the sound of a family member's voice that hasn't been heard in a long while can be soothing and reassuring.

Touch the patient. They may not feel your touch, but then again, they may. We all know what a loving touch means to us. We can only imagine what that touch must mean to a family member who is ill and very well could be cognizant of their surroundings; just unable to respond.

Be advised to mete out your talking and touching. It is not advisable to have a room full of laughing, talking, and touchy-feely people. Your loved one may like to hear from every family member that came to visit; but, remember; the general atmosphere is somber and should be respectful of the patient. They should indeed be the center of attention.

More often than not, the patient with a central nervous system problem will be in a neuro intensive care unit. This will limit the frequency of visitation, and the number of visitors. In such a scenario, try and make certain that at least one person is available for every allowable visit. This will not only be reassuring for the patient; but, the visitor or visitors can keep the other family members aware of any observable change in condition.

There will likely be a waiting area for the family with a patient in the neuro ICU. At least one member of the family should be available at the times the doctors make their rounds. The doctors usually visit the waiting room in order to keep the family abreast of any medical changes. The doctor's visit can range from one visit a day, up to two or three visits by residents in a teaching hospital.

It may seem relatively insignificant, but you can play an important part in the recovery of your comatose loved one. Should you be blessed and the patient awakens, you may be surprised how much the patient heard and felt; and how special it was to them.