Is the coma patient unconscious or asleep?
Coma Communication: We believe that some level of consciousness is present as long as there is breath. And that we can communicate with people in any state of consciousness, including sleep or supposed unconsciousness. People with traumatic brain injury usually remain in a so called true coma for about two weeks to a month, where they have no sleep/wake cycle. They then change to a vigil coma, commonly called vegetative state, where they exhibit sleep/wake cycles, including opening and closing their eyes. The vigil coma is also known as minimal consciousness or severely altered consciousness. Patients in true coma may be more or less aware at any one time of what is happening around their beds. People in vegetative states or altered consciousness are more aware and less aware at times, like all of us. If possible, time your visits for their more aware times of day.
