Anoxic- Hypoxic Brain Injury

What are Anoxic and Hypoxic Brain Injuries?

 

Unlike traumatic brain injuries, in which brain damage is induced by direct physical trauma, anoxic and hypoxic brain injuries are characterized by brain damage from a lack of oxygen to the brain. Anoxic and hypoxic brain injuries are commonly associated with strokes, although strokes are not the only causes 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 and Hypoxic Brain Injuries

 

Hypoxic-ischemic 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 and hypoxic brain injuries often cause an initial loss of consciousness, which can be short-term or long-term depending on severity and length of oxygen deprivation. Initial loss of consciousness may result in a comatose state.

 

Other symptoms of an anoxic or hypoxic brain injury occurring may include slurring and difficulties with speech, confusion and 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:

headache

difficulty coordinating balance

vision problems

seizures

changes in sensory perception

trouble speaking and swallowing           

changes in sleep pattern

lack of bowel and bladder control

changes in sexual function

motor impairment 

personality changes

difficulty forming sentences 

confusion

trouble communicating

difficulty with reason, focus and logic

memory impairments

depression

poor concentration

mood swings

limited attention span

disorientation

forgetfulness

acting inappropriately

​

Prognosis of Anoxic or Hypoxic

Brain Injuries

​

Projecting the recovery and care for anoxic 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 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.

​

https://www.shepherd.org/