Brain death: Irreversible cessation of all functions of the entire brain, including the brain stem. A person who is brain dead is dead, with no chance of revival. Coma: A state of profound unresponsiveness as a result of severe illness or brain injury.

Is being in a coma similar to death?

Coma is different from sleep because the person is unable to wake up. It is not the same as brain death. The person is alive, but they cannot respond in the normal way to their environment.

Does a coma mean your dead?

In a coma, a patient is alive and there is some brain activity. Depending on the severity of the injury, recovery time varies and comas can be temporary or permanent. Patients in a coma might have brain stem responses, spontaneous breathing and/or non-purposeful motor responses.