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Doctors thought man was in a coma for 23 years before realising they made a huge mistake

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A doctor claimed Rom Houben was ‘definitely not’ in a vegetative state after more than two decades

The case of Rom Houben is something which has stunned the medical world for the last few decades.

After a near-fatal car crash in 1983, doctors believed the Belgian native was comatose and in a vegetative state – meaning he was alive, but unable to communicate, move, or think for himself…Click Here To Continue Reading>> …Click Here To Continue Reading>>

 

He was said to have spent 23 years imprisoned in his own body, unable to do anything except listen, in a case eerily similar to that of Martin Pistorius.

That was until Rom met Dr Steven Laureys, who diagnosed him with locked-in syndrome (LIS) in 2006.

Rom Houben was involved in a near-fatal car crash which left him comatose and in a vegetative state (MICHEL KRAKOWSKI/AFP via Getty Images)
Rom Houben was involved in a near-fatal car crash which left him comatose and in a vegetative state (MICHEL KRAKOWSKI/AFP via Getty Images)

For those who don’t know, this is a rare neurological condition where a person is conscious but unable to move or communicate verbally, except via eye movements.

The medic, who was a part of the University of Liege’s Coma Science Group, explained that he had made a major breakthrough after conducting numerous tests to determine Rom’s brain function.

Speaking to CBS News in November 2009, Laureys said: “When we put him in the PET scanner and the fMRI, we saw his brain was functioning normally.

“So he was not vegetative, definitely not.”

The neurologist believed that Rom’s case proved that thousands of patients who are classed as being in a vegetative state are misdiagnosed, pointing out that the ‘stamp of unconsciousness’ is hard to shake off.

Following the supposedly good news, Rom’s mother Fina Houben said that she had always believed that her son could still communicate with her, explaining that she was able to tell when he was in a ‘bad mood or when he was in pain’.

“He is not depressed, he is an optimist,” she told the BBC in 2009. “He wants to get out of life what he can.”

And so, arrangements were made to allow Rom to do just that.

While remaining in hospital in his home country, he was given a specially trained assistant who helped him with ‘facilitated communication’, which is also known as supported typing.

This technique involves the facilitator picking up on ‘micro movements’ which the patient makes, before they help guide the person’s hand to point to letters, pictures or objects on a keyboard as a form of communication.

The Belgian began 'speaking' with the assistance of a facilitated communicator after 23 years (STRINGER/AFP via Getty Images)
The Belgian began ‘speaking’ with the assistance of a facilitated communicator after 23 years (STRINGER/AFP via Getty Images)

Rom, a former martial arts enthusiast, apparently had a lot to say after he started working with speech therapist and facilitated communicator Linda Wouters.

He was said to have typed out a series of messages with the aid of a computer, explaining that he had screamed ‘but there was nothing to hear’ throughout the 23 years doctors thought he was in a coma. READ FULL STORY HERE>>>CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE READING>>>

“I dreamed myself away,” he said. “I shall never forget the day when they discovered what was really wrong with me. It was my second birth.”

Rom was also supposedly writing a book about his experience thanks to the technology.

But after video footage of him working with Linda began to circulate, skeptics raised concerns about the facilitated communication method – and later, Dr Laureys was also forced to admit it was not effective.

Dr Steven Laureys believed Rom was a lot more conscious than medics had initially thought (JULIEN WARNAND/AFP via Getty Images)
Dr Steven Laureys believed Rom was a lot more conscious than medics had initially thought (JULIEN WARNAND/AFP via Getty Images)

In a bid to dispel speculation, Dr Laureys – who is an expert researcher in the field of brain function and vegetative states – conducted a series of tests on a group of coma patients, including Rom.

Participants were shown a series of objects and words while their facilitated communicators were not present, before being asked to relay what they had seen or heard when the facilitators returned to the room.

Rom failed all 15 questions of the test, according to local media outlet Der Spiegel.

“It’s easy to watch the video and say this method is not valid, but to prove that it is not true is actually very difficult,” Dr Laureys told the BBC while discussing his findings.

Rom pictured with his mother in 2009 shortly after his 'second birth' (JULIEN WARNAND/AFP via Getty Images)
Rom pictured with his mother in 2009 shortly after his ‘second birth’ (JULIEN WARNAND/AFP via Getty Images)

“The story of Rom is about the diagnosis of consciousness, not communication,” Dr Laureys said.

“I hope Rom and his family will stay as an example of how hard it is to pick up the signs of consciousness.

“Even when we know that patients are conscious, we don’t know if there is pain or suffering or what they are feeling.”

The neurologist maintained that the Belgian man was still a lot more conscious than doctors had previously believed and added that he believed Rom’s work with the Linda was genuine.

Revealing his findings to researchers in London, according to NPR, Dr Laureys said: “We presented three cases after traumatic brain injury. Two failed the test. And that was including Rom.”

He explained the tests had been repeated multiple times with Rom’s facilitator, but the results were always inconclusive.

Tragically, what was supposed to be a medical triumph – and a personal one for Rom – turned out to be hugely misguided.

 

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HEALTH & LIFESTYLE

3 Reasons Why People Die In Their Sleep: Please Do Not Ignore

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Getting adequate shut-eye is crucial to your health, and that much should go without saying. However, it could be unhealthy to sleep too little. When you lay your head down for the night, a lot of bad things can happen to you.

Have you ever wondered what causes individuals to pass away peacefully during their sleep? It is a phenomenon that has intrigued scientists, doctors, and the general public alike. In this blog post, we delve into the five most common reasons why people may unfortunately die in their sleep…Click Here To Continue Reading>> …Click Here To Continue Reading>> READ FULL STORY HERE>>>CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE READING>>>

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When You Drink Hot Water Every Day, This Is What Happens To Your Body

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Have you ever given any thought to what would happen to your body if you continually subjected it to the effects of drinking hot water? When everything is taken into account, we are aware that water is important for the body to keep adequately hydrated and that it accounts for sixty percent of the human adult body (via USGS). Water makes up sixty percent of the human adult body. Who would have thought, though, that the temperature at which you consume it plays a role in the kinds of health benefits you gain from it…Click Here To Continue Reading>> …Click Here To Continue Reading>>

 

As a result of the fact that Tom Cruise’s relationship with Suri has been lately brought to light in a variety of different ways.

However, drinking water that has been brought to a boil on a frequent basis offers a variety of additional health benefits, which your body may be prevented from taking advantage of if you drink cold water instead of water that has been brought to a boil. People have a propensity, when they think about drinking water, to picture themselves in a position in which they are sipping some water that is really cold while basking in the warmth of the late spring sun or relishing in the virus-like sensation of it after a particularly tough twisting class. This is because people have a tendency to picture themselves in scenarios in which they are partaking in activities that involve extreme temperatures. Drinking warm water first thing in the morning is recommended by medical professionals, as stated by Stella Metsovas, a professional nutritionist, who explains why this is the case. Medical Daily has been provided with this information. In point of fact, and to some degree one is taken aback by this revelation, access to this kind of information has been available for a significant amount of time now. According to Reader’s Digest, both Chinese and Indian physicians encourage drinking this steaming hot beverage first thing in the morning to get the most out of the day due to the many excellent benefits it has on one’s health. This is because traditional Chinese medicine and Indian medicine both believe that drinking this beverage in the morning helps one get the most out of the day.

Therefore, would you be so kind as to elaborate on what you mean by that? If you drink hot water on a regular basis, your body will experience these effects, which are something that may be expected.

There is some evidence that lowering your blood pressure can be accomplished by drinking hot water on a regular basis. READ FULL STORY HERE>>>CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE READING>>>

In this difficult environment, there is a clear approach for being able to stretch less, and it all starts with establishing a daily appreciation for water. This is the first step in the process. Dietitian Amanda Carlson, who is also a qualified dietitian, is of the opinion that individuals can benefit from keeping an adequate level of hydration in order to experience reduced levels of anxiety. If you don’t give your body the liquids it needs, you’re adding extra weight to it, and your body will react to this by acting erratically.

According to Healthline, consuming hot water reduces the activity of your focus sensory system, which is responsible for determining how your brain reacts when it is subjected to pressure. According to the American Psychological Association, not getting enough water can cause confusion in the central nervous system, which can trigger a vicious loop that never comes to an end. It is actually easier to become dehydrated when you are under pressure, as your pulse will be higher than normal, and you will be breathing more actively than usual, says Renee Melton, MS, RD, LD, who is the head of nutrition at Sensei. This is because your pulse will be higher when you are under strain. WebMD received this information from another source. Therefore, if you truly want to get rid of the problem the next time it comes up, you might want to consider the alternative of continuously drinking hot water.

Regularly consuming water that has been heated to a boil has the ability to reduce the amount of physical pain and suffering that individual is experiencing

 

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Place this leaf in every corner of your house and you will not see cockroaches again

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Cockroaches are notorious and unsightly pests that are commonly associated with waste and dirt. However, they can also be found in homes, making their way into the closets and bedrooms.

Their ability to adapt and survive is remarkable, allowing them to thrive in various environments around the world. Cockroaches are incredibly resilient creatures, capable of withstanding high levels of radiation and surviving for over a month without food. As omnivores, they can consume both plant-based foods and other animals, which explains their ubiquitous presence as they scavenge for sustenance…Click Here To Continue Reading>> …Click Here To Continue Reading>>

 

In addition to feeding on garbage, cockroaches leave chemical trails through their feces. This serves as a form of communication, enabling them to locate sources of water and food. It is this behavior that leads to their establishment in specific areas. Despite their ability to squeeze through tiny openings and endure long periods without sustenance, they often enter homes through bags, boxes, and even gaps under doors.

If you’re looking to eliminate cockroaches that have invaded your home, I recommend a highly effective method that is safe, especially if you have young children or pets. Bay leaves serve as an excellent natural repellent for cockroaches. While they may not kill the pests, the strong odor emitted by the leaves is unbearable for them, driving them away quickly. Placing bay leaf branches in every corner of the house is recommended.

Specifically, putting ten bay leaves in the kitchen will prevent cockroaches from roaming around. Bay leaves are particularly suitable for areas where food is stored, such as the kitchen or pantry, as they are safe and non-toxic. Additionally, I suggest placing bay leaves in your garden, especially if you have pets. This way, you can eliminate cockroaches without worrying about the safety of your children or pets. READ FULL STORY HERE>>>CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE READING>>>

Whether you use fresh or dried bay leaves, the most effective way to utilize them is to crush the dry leaves into a powder. This intensifies the fragrance they release. To use bay leaves as a cockroach deterrent, place whole leaves behind appliances, near entry points, in closets, and in various corners of your home. Open containers and bowls can also be filled with bay leaves and strategically placed. Furthermore, burning a bay leaf in your home not only adds a pleasant natural aroma but also provides additional cockroach protection.

In conclusion, by ensuring you have ten bay leaves in the kitchen, you can effectively prevent cockroaches from roaming around. Bay leaves are a safe and non-toxic option for areas where food is stored, such as the kitchen or pantry. By following this method, you can eliminate cockroaches without worrying about the safety of your children.

 

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