Living Dead! It’s not a movie, it’s the Lazarus syndrome or phenomenon or also called spontaneous Resurrection, a strange condition, in which the deceased come back to life.
There are many curious facts related to death and in Supercurious we have told you about some of them, such as the faces of Death according to different cultures or Victorian superstitions related to death.
On this occasion, we bring you one of the strangest phenomena in the world that leaves anyone speechless. Many doctors are amazed because after reporting the death, the person is resurrected. The Lazarus syndrome or spontaneous resurrection is one of the most puzzling mysteries in medicine. Join us to meet him!
What is the Lazarus syndrome or phenomenon?
Lazarus syndrome refers to a recovery of vital signs after determining the death of the patient. It is usual for this phenomenon to occur within 10 to 15 minutes of the death and increases the chances when cardiopulmonary resuscitation has been performed before. However, there are documented cases detailing the onset of the syndrome after use recreational hallucinogenic substances.
For this reason, doctors follow a series of protocols to ensure that the patient has really died. no wonder that on the middle Ages the tombs had a bell, in case the dead lived again. Yes, there were many specific cases where the person came back to life after his supposed death.
Currently, health professionals determine the death of the patient taking into account the following factors:
- Irreversible loss of consciousness to the point of ignoring external stimuli.
- Evidence of irreversible brain damage.
- Absence of the automatic respiratory process.
In a nutshell, Lazarus syndrome is known by phenomenon of spontaneous recovery of blood circulation after several unsuccessful attempts at cardio-pulmonary resuscitation.
It takes its name from the biblical episode in which Jesus resurrects his friend Lazarus, who had died several days ago. This has been recorded in John: 1, 43 and says: “And having said these things, he cried out with a loud voice: Lazarus, come out!”
Why does Lazarus syndrome occur?
Many experts claim that Lazarus syndrome occurs due to an accumulation of pressure in the chest due to cardiopulmonary resuscitation. When such a procedure is stopped, then the pressure is gradually released to start the heart. Can you believe it?
Although there are some scientific and spiritual explanations, the reality is that the pathophysiology of this phenomenon is not clear. Despite this, we have considered the following causes of Lazarus syndrome from a medical point of view:
- hyperkalemia: dangerous concentrations of potassium in the blood.
- High doses of epinephrine during cardiopulmonary resuscitation maneuvers.
- Plaques in the coronary arteries that end up detaching and causing recirculation.
- Momentary absence of electrical activity of the myocardium after a defibrillation maneuver.
- Oculocardiac reflexthat is, reduction of heart rate to a critical point where the patient appears to be dead.
- heart recovery against an ischemic event or lack of blood supply to this organ.
This makes it difficult to declare a patient dead. Because there are many factors to take into account. For example, the minutes of the supposed death, the age of the patient, and if there is brain activity, even if it is reduced.
For ordinary people, it is common to hear comments such as “It was not his turn yet”, “God gave him a second chance to live”, “He still has things to do in the world”. Whatever the explanation, the reality is that Lazarus syndrome is a strange and surprising phenomenon.
Lazarus Syndrome Testimonials
Since 1982 there is evidence of more than 38 fully documented cases in which death had been certified and there was a spontaneous resurrection, among the best known we find these three:
1. Overdose and resurrection
The first explains the case of a 27-year-old British man who overdosed on heroin and cocaine, went into cardiac arrest during his transfer to hospital and After 25 minutes of resuscitation work, he was presumed dead.. A minute later, one of the nurses noticed movement on the monitor connected to the patient’s heart. He eventually made a full recovery.
2. Awakening among corpses
Another famous case is that of the 61-year-old American citizen Judith Johnson, who in 2007 suffered a cardiac arrest while in a medical center. She was given medication and a defibrillator was used, but the doctors were unable to recover her.
It was declared dead and taken to morgue of corpses, where some time later they realized that she was alive and breathing normally. The woman sued the medical center.
3. 20 minutes dead?
In 2002, the magazine “Forensic Science International” echoed what happened with a 65-year-old Japanese man affected by deafness, who was found unconscious in the foster home where he lived. They tried to recover him at home and in the emergency department of the hospital, both pharmacologically and with the defibrillator, but without success.
He was pronounced dead and taken to the mortuary. where 20 minutes. Later, a police officer noticed that one of the alleged dead was moving. Recovered, he survived only 4 more days.
Doctors are still trying to find out for sure how this “resurrection” occurs, since they are not sure of its cause. They think that it may be due to the relaxation of the pressure exerted during the resuscitation process, which allows the heart to expand, reactivate the electrical impulses and start moving, or due to the high levels of potassium that delay the return of spontaneous circulation.
Currently, medical protocols advise not to certify death until 10 minutes after the end of resuscitation, in case this occurs. “resurrection” or Lazarus syndrome.
Also known in psychiatric circles as “Lazarus syndrome” are the difficulties suffered by people who have faced the imminent certainty of their own death and have finally survived.
Have you heard of this syndrome? Do you know any interesting case? Share it with us!
Other curious syndromes
Although the Lazarus phenomenon has seemed very interesting to us, we know that this world is full of curiosities and strangeness. For this reason, we have compiled this series of rare and curious syndromes that you will surely love.
- Cotard syndrome, the delusion of believing that you are dead.
- Locked-in syndrome, feeling trapped inside your own body.
- Amok syndrome, the disease of serial killers.
- Fregoli syndrome, meeting strangers.
- Stendhal syndrome, when art hurts.
- Noah’s syndrome, hoarding animals.
- Stockholm syndrome, falling in love with your kidnapper.
- Münchhausen syndrome, causing illnesses.
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Resignation Syndrome, getting away from life for an indefinite time.
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Gourmand syndrome, the disease that makes you a chef.
- Pica Syndrome or Alotriophagia, eating non-edible things.