Persistent Vegetative State

A vegetative state is a type of disorder of consciousness. In this type of disorder, the person is awake, but they do not show any response or signs of awareness. 

A vegetative state is a state of unawareness or unconsciousness. It is a neurological disorder in which a person has a well-functioning brain but is in a state of unawareness.  

A vegetative state occurs when the cerebrum of the brain, which is responsible for the control of thought and behaviour, stops functioning but the hypothalamus and brain stem, responsible for the control of various functions such as sleeping, breathing, body temperature, blood pressure, heart rate, and consciousness, continues to function. As a result, people are awake but are unable to respond to their surroundings. 

A person in a vegetative state may open their eyes, wake up and fall asleep at regular intervals of time, and have basic functioning of the body such as blinking the eye, withdrawing their hand when squeezed, etc. 

What do you mean by Persistent Vegetative State?

The Persistent Vegetative State is abbreviated as PVS. It is also known by the name post coma unresponsiveness. A vegetative state that lasts for about only one month is known as a Persistent Vegetative State.

The Persistent Vegetative State is caused by severe brain damage due to head injury or a disorder that deprives the brain of oxygen, like cardiac or respiratory arrest. However, other severe injuries like haemorrhage in the brain or brain infection can also lead to a Persistent Vegetative State. Doctors treat the patient with Persistent Vegetative State only after observing them for a few days. They make a note of their behaviour and actions and then go for their treatment. 

People in a Persistent Vegetative State require good care, healthy and nutritious food, and avoid pressure problems. Most people do not recover from this disorder, and they do not regain their ability to interact with their surroundings, and they lose the ability to respond to the stimuli. But a few patients suffering from the Persistent Vegetative State improve, and their state is changed to a minimally persistent state where the patient is feebly aware of the surrounding, but not completely. 

Medical Aspects of a Persistent Vegetative State

The term “Persistent Vegetative State” was first stated by Plum and Jennet in the year 1972. They described the Persistent Vegetative State as a state which is considered a progressed form of a coma, in which the patient with severe brain damage is conscious but is in a state of unawareness. There are no ascertainable cerebral cortical functions in the patient.  

In the year 1983, the President’s Commission for the Study of the Ethical Problems in Medical and Biomedical and Behavioral Research considered the definition of the Persistent Vegetative State as stated by Plum and Jennet. 

Symptoms of a Persistent Vegetative State

The following points listed below give the symptoms of a patient suffering from a Persistent Vegetative State: 

• Altered level of consciousness
• Irregular sleep
• Lack of self-awareness and environmental awareness
• No voluntary responses to stimuli
• Coma
• Have basic reflexes
• Move their eyes, blink
• Moan and grunt
• Leaking of urine
• Rhythmic muscle contraction

A Short Note on the Diagnosis of a Persistent Vegetative State

Every patient suffering from a Persistent Vegetative State is different. They have their sleep and wake pattern. So they have to be observed for some time before diagnosis. 

The imaging tests, such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography (CT), are done to check the disorders that can be treated. Electroencephalography (EEG) is performed to check the brain for abnormalities. Functional MRI (fMRI) is also carried out to check the brain’s activity. 

Conclusion

This article explains in detail the Persistent Vegetative State, its symptoms, and its diagnosis. By going through this article, one may be able to understand the Persistent Vegetative State disorder in detail.