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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Is Normal Breathing Possible Even If There Is No Brain Activity?

I have a friend who collapsed in grocery store on Saturday. They started cpr immediately, while waiting on paramedics..took about 35 min to revive her. She is currently in a coma, breathing on her own 100% and heart is ok. They ran EEG this morning and said not positive results...not sure exactly what that means but they said they would run test again to re evaluate. Can you breathe on your own if you have no brain activity? I am not going to submit because I didn't realize you had to pay.
posted on Sat, 10 Oct 2015
Twitter Thu, 29 Oct 2015 Answered on
Twitter Thu, 29 Oct 2015 Last reviewed on
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Dentist,  's  Response
Hi Dear, Welcome to HealthCareMagic.

I have gone through your query & can understanding your concern

There might be two cases. First is that she is in coma & her brain is working somewhat. Coma is a state of unconsciousness in which a person cannot be awakened to painful stimuli, light or sound. In this case she can resolve & can came out of coma.
Second case can be she may be having brain death. In brain death heart & breathing works well for sometime (this can be even in days) while person is dead.

Only a well educated physician can differentiate between the two cases. So you can take opinion of other hospital if you are not satified.

Hope your query has been solved.
Good luck
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Is Normal Breathing Possible Even If There Is No Brain Activity?

Hi Dear, Welcome to HealthCareMagic. I have gone through your query & can understanding your concern There might be two cases. First is that she is in coma & her brain is working somewhat. Coma is a state of unconsciousness in which a person cannot be awakened to painful stimuli, light or sound. In this case she can resolve & can came out of coma. Second case can be she may be having brain death. In brain death heart & breathing works well for sometime (this can be even in days) while person is dead. Only a well educated physician can differentiate between the two cases. So you can take opinion of other hospital if you are not satified. Hope your query has been solved. Good luck