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)
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)
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)
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)
“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.
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?
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.
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.
Shaving may be a time-consuming and occasionally painful activity. If you’re seeking an easy way to remove face and body hair, Coca-Cola could be the answer. Here’s how to use this famous soft drink to remove hair without discomfort and why it works.
Why Coca-Cola?
Coca-Cola includes a combination of ingredients that can weaken hair follicles and facilitate hair removal. The carbonation and acidity in Coca-Cola combine to break down hair, making it easier to remove…Click Here To Continue Reading>> …Click Here To Continue Reading>>
How to Use Coca-Cola for Hair Removal
Ingredients:
1 can of Coca-Cola
Cotton pads
A small bowl
For illustrative purposes only.
Instructions:
1. Prepare the Solution:
Pour a can of Coca-Cola into a small basin.
2. Application:
Soak a cotton pad with Coca-Cola.
Apply the moistened cotton pad to the region with excess hair. Make sure the area is completely covered.
3. Let it Sit:
Allow the Coca-Cola to settle on your skin for approximately 15-20 minutes. This allows the carbonation and acidity to gradually damage the hair follicles.
Depending on the thickness of the hair, you may need to repeat this step several times. With regular application, you should see a reduction in hair growth.
For illustrative purposes only.
Benefits of Using Coca-Cola for Hair Removal
1. Pain-Free:
Compared to traditional methods like waxing or plucking, utilizing Coca-Cola is painless and gentle on the skin.
2. Cost-Effective:
Coca-Cola is inexpensive and widely available, making it an affordable option for hair removal.
3. Convenient:
This method may be done at home quickly and easily, with no special equipment or expert services required.
4. Decreases Hair Growth:
Hair follicle weakening over time might result in lower hair growth, making upkeep easier.
Conclusion
Using Coca-Cola for hair removal may seem unorthodox, but it is a painless and cost-effective alternative to typical techniques. With consistent usage, you can get smoother, hair-free skin without the inconvenience of shaving or the discomfort of waxing. Give it a shot and see the startling results for yourself!
Are you tired of dealing with skin imperfections like wrinkles, blemishes, melasma, moles, and warts? Look no further! We have a natural and effective solution for you – banana peels combined with baking soda.
Why Banana Peels and Baking Soda?
Banana Peels: These peels are not just food waste! They are actually packed with antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals that can nourish and revitalize your skin.
Scrape the inner white part of the banana peel with a spoon and collect about 2 tablespoons of the material.
In a small bowl, mix the banana peel paste with the baking soda until a smooth paste forms.
Application
Thoroughly clean and dry the area of skin where you intend to apply the mixture.
Apply the paste directly to the areas affected by wrinkles, blemishes, melasma, moles, or warts.
Leave the mixture on for about 15-20 minutes.
Rinse Off
Wash off the paste with lukewarm water. Be gentle to your skin while washing to avoid any irritation.
Moisturize
After drying your skin, apply a gentle moisturizer to keep your skin hydrated and protected.
Tips for Best Results
Frequency of Use: To see significant improvements, use this treatment two to three times a week. Consistent application is key!
Patch Test: Before applying the mixture broadly, always perform a patch test on a small area of skin, especially if you have sensitive skin.
Sun Protection: Protect your skin from the sun, especially after using this treatment, as the skin may be more sensitive to UV rays.
Precautions
If you have moles or warts, it’s important to have them checked by a healthcare provider before trying any home treatments.
Baking soda can be drying and may irritate sensitive skin. If you experience any redness, itching, or discomfort, discontinue use and consult with a dermatologist.
