Guide to the Comatose Patient
Guide to the Comatose Patient
$19.99
Expert advice for families and caregivers
Eelco F.M. Wijdicks, M.D., Ph.D., FACP, FNCS
- Offers advice on how to deal with what often feels like a roller coaster ride when a loved one is hospitalized and comatose.
- Seeks to show families the perspective of the staff caring for their loved ones.
- Explains the many causes of coma, the different stages of unconsciousness, what physicians look for when examining a patient who’s comatose, and how coma is treated and managed.
Description
The Guide to the Comatose Patient is written with clear purpose in mind, offering information and advice to families working through the unpredictability of acute brain injuries resulting in coma. Eelco F.M. Wijdicks, M.D., is a neurointensivist at Mayo Clinic and professor of neurology with an expertise in acute brain injury and coma. He explains the many causes of coma, the different stages of unconsciousness, what physicians look for when examining a patient who’s comatose, and how coma is treated and managed. Coma can take several paths, bringing relief to families when recovery is quick and complete and producing continued anguish when there’s no change or the situation worsens.
In this novel book, Dr. Wijdicks offers his insights, based on years of experience, to help families understand why it’s difficult to predict the outcomes of brain injuries and coma. He also discusses what can be expected as time goes on and factors to consider when having to make important decisions regarding treatment, including a transition to palliative care.
Softcover • 7.375 x 9.125 inches • 216 pages • Mayo Clinic Press • 2022 • ISBN 9781893005815
