Beware, Shortness of Breath Due to Ulcers or Heart Attack

Brain stem death is the medical term when all brain functions stop completely and permanently. This condition can occur in patients who are experiencing a critical period due to an illness or injury. Brain stem death can be diagnosed through several characteristic signs.

Brain stem is the main control center for many important functions in the human body, including breathing, heart rate, blood pressure, sleep cycles, body balance, and the control of swallowing and facial movements. This part of the brain is located at the base of the brain and is connected to the spinal cord.

Beware, Shortness of Breath Due to Ulcers or Heart Attack

The brain stem can die and make the sufferer lose consciousness and their body function decreases. When diagnosed with brain stem death, the sufferer has no chance of recovery and eventually dies.

Signs of Brain Stem Death

Brain stem death is not the same as coma. When in a coma, a person is unconscious but their brain is still active and various basic functions, such as breathing and heartbeat, continue. Brain stem death is also different from vegetative conditions, where sufferers still show responses when given external stimulation.

The following are some signs that indicate someone is experiencing brain stem death:

  • Her breathing pattern is irregular
  • Pupils do not react to light
  • The eye does not blink when the surface of the eye is not touched (corneal reflex)
  • The eyes do not move when the head is shaken (oculocephalic reflex)
  • The eyes do not respond when water is dropped into the ear (oculovestibular reflex)
  • There is no gagging reflex when the back of the throat is touched
  • No breathing without ventilator assistance
  • No response whatsoever when receiving external stimulation
  • No brain activity detected

To confirm the condition of brain stem death, the doctor will carry out several examinations, such as a physical examination, responsiveness test, and apnea test. An electroencephalography test (EEG) may be needed to confirm the presence or absence of activity and blood flow. on the brain.

Apart from that, the doctor will also evaluate the patient's medical history and determine the possibility of a coma. The reason is, several conditions, such as overdose of certain drugs and hypothermia, can cause symptoms similar to brain stem death.

Causes of Brain Stem Death

Brain stem death occurs when the supply of blood and oxygen to the brain stops, resulting in brain cells being damaged. You need to know, brain cells have a limited capacity for regeneration. So, when brain cells are damaged, brain function will gradually decrease and permanent damage can occur.

There are several conditions that can occur. causes a person to experience permanent damage to the brain or brain stem death, namely:

  • Stroke
  • Heart attack
  • Severe head injury
  • Brain tumors
  • Inflammation of the brain, such as encephalitis
  • Drowning

Treatment of Brain Stem Death

Treatment of brain stem death does not aim to cure or restore the patient's consciousness. When brain stem death is declared, it means that the patient is medically considered dead even if there is still a weak pulse, breathing, or muscle contractions.

This can happen because several cases of brain stem death are undergoing intensive care in the ICUICU. In this room, patients generally use breathing aids (ventilators) and supporting equipment other life which allows blood circulation in the body to continue even though brain function has stopped completely.

Before deciding on treatment, the medical team will usually communicate with the patient's family regarding further care options for the patient. During treatment, the patient will receive close monitoring and regular examinations.

If there is no improvement in the patient's condition, the doctor may be able to provide options for ventilator removal. This decision of course requires approval from the patient's family after thoroughly discussing the patient's condition and considering the expected quality of life.

That is information about brain stem death that you need to know. Diagnosis and treatment of this condition can only be carried out by a doctor. If you have a family member or relative who shows the symptoms mentioned above, you can discuss with a doctor to determine the best treatment steps.

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