What's an Induced Coma?How to mend a swollen head.

In the aftermath of his stroke, Ariel Sharon has been placed in a medically induced coma. Doctors forecast that he will remain in the coma until at least Sunday. Stateside, Randal McCloy Jr., the lone survivor of the Sago mine explosion, also remains in an induced coma while he recovers from carbon monoxide inhalation. Last October, Daniel Engber explained why and how doctors induce a coma. "Inducing a coma is beneficial because a comatose brain uses less energy—and oxygen—than an awake and alert one," Engber wrote.

PRINTE-MAILRECOMMEND...RSS

FacebookMySpace Mixx Digg Reddit del.icio.us Furl Ma.gnolia SphereStumbleUponCLOSE

SPONSORED CONTENT

• The Maccabees and the Hellenists
  Hanukkah as Jewish civil war.
  James Ponet | Dec. 14, 2009
• The Invisible Hand of God
  Adam Smith thought competition among religions was a good thing. Does Hanukkah prove him wrong?
  Ray Fisman | Dec. 13, 2009
• Mitzvah Mobiles
  Celebrating Hanukkah with menorah parades.
  Michael Lukas | Dec. 11, 2009
• Search for more Recycled articles
• Subscribe to the Recycled RSS feed
• View our complete Recycled archive