Abstract
In this article, the writer points out that cases like those of Terri Shiavo and Robert Kenneth Durksen put the moral quandaries regarding comatose victims to the forefront of the public's mind. The writer notes that only by fully understanding the condition, and answering questions such as whether or not there is awareness in comatose patients, can the public make informed decisions, when sensitive situations occur. This paper provides an overview of the comatose condition, followed by a review of literature regarding awareness in comatose patients. The writer then presents conclusions drawn from this information, in hopes of shedding further light on such a delicate topic.

Outline:
Introduction
Comatose Overview
Literature Review Regarding Comas and Coma Awareness
Analysis of Findings
Conclusion

From the Paper
"The medical term comatose is derived from the Greek word koma, meaning a deep sleep. A comatose patient is in a deep state of unconsciousness that is characterized by the loss of reactivity to external stimuli and absence of spontaneous nervous activity, and cannot be awakened. Coma victims have usually experienced injury or disease of the cerebrum."
"The origin of the injury affects the different patterns of coma. Losses of consciousness for short durations may be caused by concussions, whereas the lack of oxygen, or anoxia, may lead to a coma that lasts for several weeks or is fatal. Sudden loss of consciousness in some patients may be caused by a stroke, which is a rupture or blockage of the vessels that supply blood to the brain."

Tags:coma, brain, Terri, Schiavo, life, support, consciousness

Abstract
This paper looks at myxedema, a potentially deadly endocrine regulation disease that usually arises in connection with pre-existing hypothyroidism when the normal homeostatic mechanisms for responding to hypothyroidism are overwhelmed. It explores how myxedema is a potentially serious disease, owing to its potential to develop (or "decompensate") into myxedema coma, which is nearly always fatal.

Outline
Background and History
Causes and Frequency
Diagnosis
Treatment
Prognosis

From the Paper
"In the context of the disease, coma has a different meaning than its usual connotation, since myxedema coma rarely includes any loss of consciousness, and is far more readily (and often) diagnosed by progressive mental decline in the absence of other causes (Wall, 2000). Luckily, myxedema only progresses to the point of myxedema coma in approximately one out of every thousand cases of hypothyroidism (Manifold, 2001). Since the most likely precipitating factors for the progression of hypothyroidism into myxedema coma include infection such as pneumonia and urosepsis, blood and urine cultures along with chest X-rays are required, and one school of thought also recommends broad spectrum antibiotic administration concurrent with initial treatment of myxedema."

Tags:hypothyroidism, coma

Abstract
The paper looks at how Dershowitz (1985) in his book "Reversal of Fortune: Inside the Von Bulow Case" tells about his own involvement in this famous court case that took place among the very wealthy and that suggested a number of unsavory things about their lifestyle and especially about the activities of the defendant, Claus von Bulow, and whether or not he had put his wife, Sunny von Bulow, into a coma in order to inherit her money. The paper describes how Dershowitz would become the counsel for von Bulow and would assemble a team of law students to develop an appeal for the man who had been convicted in the first trial.

From the Paper
"Dershowitz (1986) in his book "Reversal of Fortune: Inside the Von Bulow Case" tells about his own involvement in this famous court case that took place among the very wealthy and that suggested a number of unsavory things about their lifestyle and especially about the activities of the defendant, Claus von Bulow, and whether or not he had put his wife, Sunny von Bulow, into a coma in order to inherit her money. Dershowitz would become the counsel for von Bulow and would assemble a team of law students to develop an appeal for the man who had been convicted in the first trial. Most of the members of the team came from Harvard law School where Dershowitz was a professor. In the appeal process, Dershowitz was..."

Tags:dershowitz, appeals, process

Abstract
This paper examines statistics relating to lead poisoning among children in the third world. According to the paper, the consequences of high blood lead levels can result in coma, seizures, and death. The paper notes that this means that vast numbers of children are in danger of succumbing to lead poisoning. Just as disturbingly, lower BLLs can result in cognitive impairment and a battery of other health issues. Therefore, from the public health and policy perspectives, lead poisoning is clearly worth fighting, as any mass reduction in BLLs will mean saving the lives and health of many children, especially the poorest and most vulnerable ones.

From the Paper
"According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), 890,000 children in the U.S. have some level of lead poisoning (CDC 1997, p. 13). Blood lead levels (BLLs) over 70 A'A g/dL can result in coma, seizures, and death, meaning that vast numbers of children are in danger of succumbing to lead poisoning. Just as disturbingly, lower BLLs can result in cognitive..."

Tags:lead, poisoning, survey

Abstract
This paper examines the arguments for and against the various philosophical understandings of the composition of human beings and whether or not consciousness exists. It looks at how the question of how to consolidate an understanding of our (physical self) body with our (immaterial self) soul is not a new discussion and how an understanding of how these aspects of our humanity interact fuels our belief system and our worldview, about subjects as diverse as life after death, stem cell research, the value of therapy for the brain injured and whether or not to pull the plug on an individual in a coma.

From the Paper
"The study of consciousness has become more popular recently. Its interdisciplinary focus further highlights the problem of definitions since, for example, a psychologist, a physicist and a philosopher would not use the word in the same way. Beichler defines consciousness as the "growing 'entanglement' or awareness of 'life,' 'mind' and the interconnections of all things in the universe via the fifth dimension" (p. 110). Physicists would argue that for consciousness to exist something must be alive, meaning that it is first necessary to determine whether something is alive or not. It is also important to consider whether this living thing has "self-motivation". I agree with Beichler when he suggests that while we detect our world in three or four dimensions there could in fact be more, within which an understanding of consciousness and intuition could be found. "

Tags:self, belief, system, life

Abstract
This paper researches the use of heroin. It reports that this highly addictive and often fatal drug was first developed in the 19th century from morphine and its abuse has become prevalent in North American society. It explains the effects such as nausea, vomiting, constipation, and a feeling euphoria and reports that tolerance can develop to the drug, and if not treated an individual can die or go into a coma.

From the Paper
"Heroin, also known by street names such as "ferry dust", "smack", "brown sugar" and "junk," is the most abused and rapidly acting of the opiates. In its purest form, heroin is a white, fluffy powder with a bitter taste. Most illicit heroin ranges in color from white to dark brown due to the impurities from the manufacturing process as well as additives. Heroin also comes in a dark sticky substance commonly known as "black tar heroin." While injection remains the predominant method of use for addicted users, sniffing and smoking heroin, especially among younger users, is rapidly on the rise."

Tags:abuse, addiction, drug, drugs, heroin, history, psychology

Abstract
The paper explains that neisseria meningitidis bacteria cause a variety of diseases, the most common being meningitis or septicemia. The paper discusses how the infection causes bleeding into the skin and organs and, in a matter of hours, shock, coma, and death can occur even with appropriate treatment. The paper further discusses which patients are at an increased risk for neisseria meningitidis.

From the Paper
"Edmonton and Quebec are the only 2 outbreaks where statistics can be found, and they offer a good framework to discuss all the headings. Introduction Neisseria meningitidis bacteria cause a variety of diseases, the most common being meningitis or septicemia. The infection causes bleeding into the skin and organs, and in a matter of hours shock, coma and death can occur even with appropriate treatment. People who have asplenia and complement deficiencies are at increased risk for Neisseria meningitidis."

Tags:outbreaks, canada, children

Abstract
This paper looks at issues of death and the medical ethics involved . The author examines the phenomena of comas and brain death and the moral and ethical dilemmas concerned.

From the Paper
"Looking back throughout the history of medicine, there was a time when people believed that death occurred when the heart stopped and breathing ceased. Cessation of respiration was often determined by placing a feather beneath the nose of the patient where it would move with the slightest breath. A doctor simply placed their ear on the patient's chest and listened for a heartbeat to determine if the person was still alive. However, since little was known about states of limited or nonexistent consciousness in which a heartbeat was undetectable to the human ear, some people were buried alive. Tragedies like this made it clear that new methods were needed to determine when a person was considered dead. "

Tags:brain, coma, death, ethics, medical, die, live, pyschology, conscious, unconscious, euthanasia

Abstract
The paper discusses how the patient is really the only individual that is able to judge whether he would like to hasten his death, however, there are situations where the patient cannot choose, such as young children with terminal illnesses, people in comas, and those with mental disorders or impairments, such as in the case of Terry Schiavo. The paper outlines the key arguments against this type of physician assisted suicide as well as the arguments in favor of it. The paper concludes by noting that there are many physicians in the United States and other countries that would utilize physician assisted suicide for the patients that they see struggling and suffering if the law would permit it.

From the Paper
"However, there are situations where many would argue that the patient cannot choose, such as young children with terminal illnesses, people in comas, and those with mental disorders or impairments. If these individuals have legal guardians or others that have power of attorney, or if they have healthcare surrogates, then it falls to these people who have been given legal power to make the choices regarding the healthcare of these individuals. The most notable story of this type was the case of Terry Schiavo, who was in a persistent vegetative state for many years. Her husband Michael worked to have her feeding tube disconnected and allow her to die, but the courts and Terry's family fought against it. Eventually, however, Michael Schiavo won the case and Terry was allowed to pass away, but it took years and a great deal of expense."

Tags:Hippocratic, Oath, pain, dignity, suffering, physicians

Abstract
This paper is an in-depth look at the disease malaria. The author examines the flu-like symptoms associated with the illness, how long they last, the aggressive campaigns to reduce mosquito populations, and how mosquitoes transmit the disease. The paper also discusses treatments, such as Malarone, chloroquine, mefloquine, primaquine, and pyrmethemine.

From the Paper
"Malaria is a devastating disease which is typified by flu-like symptoms which can escalate into coma and even death. It is caused by a one celled parasite, Plasmodium, and has multiple strains with slightly varying symptoms and behaviors. This disease has confused and terrified humans on ever continent for all of recorded history, partly because of the seemingly inexplicable nature of its transmission and partly because of the difficulty of finding a cure. Like most natural parasitic infections, there is a natural cure for malaria. However, the tree that grows this cure is found only in areas of South America, and for many years the disease was most frequent in swampish European and African areas."

Tags:mosquito, parasite, treatment, transmit, tree, cure, blood, symptom, stream, humans, strain, coma, death