Making sure that the brain gets adequate oxygen is an important part of a person’s development. Lack of oxygen to the brain can result in many different types of disorders, from cerebral palsy to memory loss. Anoxic brain injury is another issue that can result from too little oxygen flow to the brain. Anoxic brain injury, also known as hypoxic-anoxic injury (HAI) or cerebral hypoxia, is a very serious injury that results from lack of oxygen to the brain. If you or a loved one is diagnosed with this issue, you can learn more about it here.
Lack of Oxygen to the Brain
After just four minutes of reduced oxygen flow to the brain, brain cells can begin to die. After five minutes of low levels of oxygen in the brain, anoxic brain injury can occur. The consequences of this issue can be permanent and life threatening. Depending on how long a person goes without oxygen, an anoxic brain injury can range in severity.
Oxygen is needed to maintain healthy brain cell function. When brain cells die, it interferes with electrochemical impulses in the brain and neurotransmitter performance. This means that the body’s ability to regulate behavior, function, mood, memory and more becomes compromised.
What Causes Anoxic Brain Injury?
There are four major causes of anoxic brain injury. They are:
- Anemic Anoxia: Anemic anoxia is a form of anoxia that compromises the blood’s ability to carry oxygen to the brain. Sometimes, this results from certain types of lung diseases. Since a person’s lungs are not properly processing oxygen, it becomes difficult for the blood to bring oxygen to the brain. Other causes of anemic anoxia include carbon monoxide poisoning, acute hemorrhages, or chronic anemia.
- Anoxic Anoxia: If there isn’t enough oxygen in the air around a person, it could compromise how much oxygen is getting to the brain. This might happen at especially high altitudes.
- Toxic Anoxia: Toxins in a person’s body can prevent the effective use of oxygen in the body and brain. Carbon monoxide can cause this issue.
- Stagnant Anoxia: This issue is also referred to as hypoxicischemic injury (HII). If a person has this issue, oxygen cannot sufficiently reach the brain through the bloodstream. Some things that can cause this issue include strokes, heart attacks, and cardiac arrhythmia.
Additional common causes to watch out for include:
- Brain tumors
- Choking
- Electrical shock
- Compression in the trachea
- Illegal drug use
- Suffocation
- Extreme oxygen deprivation while swimming
- Extreme low blood pressure
- Respiratory issues
Common Symptoms and Seeking Help
The most common symptom of an anoxic brain injury is loss of consciousness or a coma. If your loved one seems to be in a vegetative state or does not respond to stimulation, they could face anoxic brain injury or another serious injury. In this case, it is important to get them medical help as soon as possible.
If you take your loved one to see a doctor or to a hospital, medical personnel will run a whole host of tests to determine what is wrong. If they suspect anoxic brain injury, they might run tests such as:
- CT or CAT scan
- Blood tests
- EEG
- MRI
- Evoked potentials tests
If anoxic brain injury is diagnosed, the doctors can move on to establishing a treatment plan for your loved one. A common first step in a treatment plan is identifying the problem that caused the brain injury. This can help to stop brain injury from getting worse or spreading to other parts of the brain. Then, a doctor should try to re-establish regular oxygen flow to the brain.
Medication may also be used to assist your loved one. Depending on their situation, they might be put on steroids, anti-seizure medication, or anesthesia. Other common treatments are different forms of physical therapy, such as speech therapy, occupational therapy, etc.
In serious cases, your loved one may become brain dead. If this is the case for your loved one, you can contact my office to learn more about what to do next.
Issues Resulting From Anoxic Brain Injury
As mentioned above, the most serious consequences of anoxic brain injury are brain death or even death. But, there are less serious issues that go along with this injury as well. They include:
- Visual issues
- Short-term memory loss
- Anomia
- Reduced ability to make decisions and judgements
- Lack of coordination
- Weakening of muscles/limbs
- Movement disorders
- Headaches
- Inability to perform basic, everyday tasks.
If your loved one faces any of these issues, it can be difficult for them and for your family. You will likely have to assist them with everyday tasks and help them with their treatment. If you have additional questions about how to do this, you can contact my office. I can answer your questions and provide resources to help your family through this difficult time.
