Is the former Israelian politician who was in a coma still alive?

Some questions about coma patients?

• If a coma patient is fed through a tube do they get more nutrients and therefore calories for energy than a non comatose patient or less? I know a person with significant injury would need as much energy and nutrients as possible to increase chances of survival but since they are not exercising or using muscle (except their heart and similar of course) they would not need and be unable to burn excess energy. Do coma patients gain or lose massive amounts of weight while unconscious? Can this hinder their chances of recovery? Do coma patients dream and how much are they aware of? If a child who is still growing or going through pubery do they continue to grow during the coma and have growth spurts? Does being in a coma for a significant amount of time stunt the growth of those still growing or delay things like puberty?

• Answer:

  Coma patients mostly get tube feeds. They have a tube coming out of their stomach that is hooked up to tube feeds (white mixture) that has all the essential nutrients they need. These coma patients WASTE away. They are not getting the calories they should through food, they are not using their muscles so they waste away. I know of many people that lose 60 pounds in the first three months from being on tube feeds and not moving around. They are extremely weak and should have passive range of motion performed. Coma patients can still hear but I am unsure of how much they are aware of what's going on. They will still continue to grow, but mind you it will not be the same as if they had grown normally.