What is the Glasgow Coma Scale?

It can be scary to learn that a loved one is in a coma, but accidents such as car crashes can cause severe injuries such as traumatic brain injuries (TBIs). TBIs and other serious injuries can lead to a loss of consciousness, which is often measured by a tool called the Glasgow Coma Scale.

The Glasgow Coma Scale was developed by the University of Glasgow in Scotland in 1974. It works by giving numbered scores for your level of awareness and how awake you are.

In the medical field, consciousness is based on three elements:

• Do you have the ability to wake up because of voice or touch? That’s the difference between being asleep and being in a coma.
• Are you responsive to people talking to you? Are you able to understand what’s happening around you?
• Do you know details such as who you are, where you’re at, and what day it is?

Healthcare providers may use the Glasgow Coma Scale for any situation where you might have a decrease in consciousness, such as after a car crash or any other incident that involves conditions like concussions and traumatic brain injuries. The Glasgow Coma Scale may be used

as part of a neurological exam to measure eye response, motor response, and verbal response. It may also be used to help with conditions that don’t involve injuries, such as low blood sugar, seizures, and poisoning.

Scoring

When doctors use the Glasgow Coma Scale in connection with a head injury, they use scores to describe how severe the injury is. The ranges are:

• 13 to 15: Mild TBI (concussion)
• 9 to 12: Moderate TBI.
• 3 to 8: Severe TBI.

This means the lower the score, the more severe the injury. Being given a score about your loved one’s health can be a scary situation, but keep the following in mind:

• The test results are much more complex than just a number. There’s a lot more to a neurological exam than just a number.
• The Glasgow Coma Scale has its limits. It may not be possible to use the GCS in some situations, such as when someone is on a ventilator or doesn’t speak the same language as their healthcare provider. It also isn’t useful for people with vision or hearing loss.
• While doctors use the Glasgow Coma Scale to predict outcomes, it’s not the only thing they use to make a prognosis. Talk to the doctor about what the score might mean in the long term.

 Contact a Personal Injury Lawyer 

Car accidents can cause a wide range of injuries, including brain injuries. Brain injuries can result in a loss of consciousness and even a coma.

rain injuries and other injuries can have long-term effects. Get the compensation you need with help from a Houston car accident attorney from The West Law Office, PLLC. We will work to hold the liable parties responsible for your damages. Give us a call at (281) 347-3247 or fill out the online form to schedule a consultation today.

Source:

my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diagnostics/24848-glasgow-coma-scale-gcs