In Italy, when they say someone is “morte accertata,” it means they are legally dead. This happens when the person’s brain has completely stopped working, which is called “brain death.” Doctors also say someone is medically dead when their essential organs, like the heart, lungs, and brain, have stopped working.
How do we know if someone’s brain is not working? There are a few signs:
- The person doesn’t wake up or respond to anything.
- Their eyes stay wide open and don’t react to light.
- If you touch their vision, it doesn’t blink.
- They don’t cough or gag if you feel the back of their throat.
- They don’t breathe on their own.
- A particular test called an EEG shows the brain isn’t doing anything.
If all these signs exist, the person has “brain death.” Once this happens, the person cannot get better. A specially trained doctor checks all these things. Once they’re sure, they write a paper that says the person has passed away.
Sometimes, it’s hard to tell if someone is gone. Maybe they had a bad head injury or are in a deep sleep called a coma. When it’s confusing, more doctors come to help figure it out.
Knowing for sure that someone has passed away is a big deal. That paper the doctor writes is essential. It’s the official record and starts legal stuff about the person who died.
Talking About Brain Death
Here’s something interesting: The idea of “brain death” hasn’t been around for a long time. People previously thought you were only dead if your heart stopped. But in the 1960s, doctors started to think differently.
Some people don’t think “brain death” means someone is gone. They feel that they are still here if a person’s heart beats. They also think taking organs from them is wrong to help others.
But other people say that our brains make us who we are. If it doesn’t work, then we’re gone. They also believe giving organs to help others live is a kind thing.
There’s a lot to think about, right? People have many feelings about it.
Looking Ahead at Confirmed Death
The way we think about “brain death” might change. As we get more innovative tools, we might find better ways to see if someone is gone. Let’s look at each tiny cell in the brain to be extra sure.
And as we learn more, people will keep talking about it. We might even change our minds about what it means to be truly alive or gone. It’s a big question that we’ll keep exploring.
Harper Delaney is an accomplished writer specializing in educational content. With a passion for making complex topics accessible and engaging, Harper has established a reputation for creating informative and insightful articles. With a background in education, Harper combines expertise with a keen understanding of learners’ needs, making their work a valuable resource for students and educators alike. Their commitment to enhancing educational experiences through clear, concise, and relevant writing has made Harper a respected voice in the field of educational literature.