Anoxic Brain Injury and Hypoxic Brain Injury
What are anoxic brain injuries and hypoxic brain injuries?
Unlike traumatic brain injuries, in which brain damage is induced by direct physical trauma, anoxic brain injuries and hypoxic brain injuries are characterized by brain damage from a lack of oxygen to the brain. These brain injuries are commonly associated with strokes, although strokes are not the only cause of this type of brain damage.
What Is an Anoxic Brain Injury?
- Anoxic brain injuries are caused by a complete lack of oxygen to the brain, which results in the death of brain cells after approximately four minutes of oxygen deprivation.
What Is a Hypoxic Brain Injury?
- Hypoxic brain injuries are brain injuries that form due to a restriction on the oxygen being supplied to the brain. The restricted flow of oxygen causes the gradual death and impairment of brain cells.
Causes of Anoxic Brain Injuries and Hypoxic Brain Injuries
- Hypoxicischemic injury, also known as stagnant anoxia, may:
- occur when oxygen-carrying blood cannot reach the brain, resulting in oxygen deprivation.
- be caused by strokes, but can also be caused by other pulmonary conditions, such as cardiac arrest or cardiac arrhythmia.
- Anemic anoxia: Anemic anoxia occurs when the blood cannot properly carry enough oxygen or if there is not enough blood in the body itself to support the oxygen needs of the brain (i.e., lack of oxygen to the brain).
- Toxic anoxia: Toxic anoxia occurs when chemicals or poisons hinder the ability of the brain to receive oxygen from blood cells.
- Anoxic anoxia: Anoxic anoxia is caused by the lack of oxygen in the air, resulting in suffocation.
Lack of Oxygen to the Brain Symptoms
Anoxic brain injuries and hypoxic brain injuries often cause an initial loss of consciousness, which can be short-term or long-term, depending on the severity and length of oxygen deprivation. Initial loss of consciousness may result in a comatose state. Other anoxic or hypoxic brain injury symptoms may include slurring and difficulties with speech, confusion, disorientation, or facial drooping.
Upon regaining consciousness, the effects and symptoms are often similar to that of a traumatic brain injury, depending on severity of the injury. More severe anoxic or hypoxic brain damage may leave the patient in a vegetative state. The effects of an anoxic brain injury may include:
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Prognosis of Anoxic Brain Injuries or Hypoxic Brain Injuries
Projecting the recovery and care for anoxic brain injuries or hypoxic brain injuries is difficult because each case is unique. A full recovery from severe anoxic or hypoxic brain injury is rare, but many patients with mild anoxic or hypoxic brain injuries are capable of making a full or partial recovery. Furthermore, symptoms and effects of the injury are dependent on the area(s) of the brain that was affected by the lack of oxygen.
Anoxia and Hypoxia Treatment
The overall life expectancy for patients with anoxic brain injuries or hypoxic brain injuries can vary based on the severity of the brain damage from lack of oxygen and is something that should be discussed with a patient’s physician. Reach out to Shepherd Center today to discuss treatment options for anoxia or hypoxia and learn about our specialists now.