The story of Sleeping Saudi Prince Al-Waleed bin Khaled bin Talal recently broke the internet. Prince Al-Waleed bin Khaled bin Talal has been in a coma for the past two decades. The Saudi prince recently turned 36 in a coma.
He was studying at a military college in 2005 when he met with an unfortunate road accident in London that landed him in his present state.
Reports also claim that his other friends, sitting in the car, remained unharmed. After which, he suffered a brain haemorrhage and was in a coma. According to a report by Roya News, the prince has been on a ventilator since then. He has been fed through a feeding tube at King Abdulaziz Medical City in Riyadh for the past two decades.
It is reported that once a doctor advised Al-Waleed’s father, Prince Khalid bin Talal Al Saud, to end life support, he dismissed it as he hoped that one day his soul would wake up from his deep slumber.
ALSO READ: Sleeping Prince: This Is Why His Father Has Refused To End Life Support
He decided to fight for his son and claimed that if God wanted to end his life in a car accident, then he would have been visiting his grave. He said,
When a person is in a coma, they are in a state of deep unconsciousness, with minimal or no brain activity. This means they cannot be woken up, and their responses to external stimuli are severely limited or absent.
While basic bodily functions like breathing and heart rate continue, higher brain functions are suppressed.
Complications can arise from prolonged immobility, such as pressure sores and blood clots.
Here’s a more detailed look at what happens to the body during a coma:
Unconsciousness:
The primary characteristic of a coma is the absence of awareness and responsiveness. The person is essentially in a deep sleep from which they cannot be awakened.
Reduced or absent reflexes:
While some basic reflexes, like pupil response to light or limb movements in response to pain, may still occur, they are often diminished or absent.
Basic bodily functions continue:
Breathing, circulation, and other autonomic functions continue to operate, although they may be altered or require support.
No voluntary movement or communication:
The person cannot move voluntarily or communicate, even through gestures or signs.
Potential for complications:
Prolonged immobility can lead to various complications such as pressure sores, blood clots, and urinary tract infections.
Varied outcomes:
Recovery from a coma can vary greatly depending on the cause and severity of the injury, with some individuals regaining consciousness and others not recovering or evolving into a persistent vegetative state.
