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Anoxic Brain Damage

Authors:
  • Cynthia M. Johnson, MA
Publication Type:

Condition

Anoxic Brain Damage

(Anoxic Brain Injury; Hypoxic Brain Injury)

Definition

Anoxic brain damage (ABD) is harm to the brain due to a lack of oxygen. Brain cells that do not have enough oxygen will start to die after about 4 minutes.

Progression of Anoxic Brain Damage.

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Causes

Oxygen is carried to the brain in the blood. ABD is when:

  • Blood flow is blocked or slowed due to:
  • Blood flow is normal, but the blood does not have enough oxygen due to:
    • Lung disease
    • A lack of oxygen in the air—this may happen at high altitudes
    • Being around certain poisons, such as carbon monoxide
    • An event that is stopping breathing, such as drowning, choking, or suffocation

Risk Factors

Problems that may raise the risk of ABD are:

Symptoms

Problems may be:

  • Headache
  • Problems with thinking and focus
  • Mood swings
  • Loss of consciousness
  • Seizures
  • Clumsiness
  • Coma
  • A decline in brain function days or weeks after the event (this is rare)

Diagnosis

The doctor will ask about symptoms and health history. A physical exam will be done. A doctor who treats brain problems may need to be seen.

These tests may be done to find out more about problems with how the brain is working:

  • CT scan
  • MRI scan
  • Electroencephalogram (EEG)—a test that measures the electricity in the brain
  • Single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) scans—a type of CT scan that looks at parts of the brain
  • Evoked potential tests—tests used to check the senses

Treatment

Prevention

ABD is often caused by accidents. These cannot always be prevented.

Initial Treatment

Treatment will depend on the cause. Choices are:

  • Oxygen to raise the amount of oxygen in the blood
  • Medicine to help get enough blood with oxygen to the brain
  • Cooling the brain to limit problems
RESOURCES:

CANADIAN RESOURCES:

CANADIAN RESOURCES:

References

  • Cerebral hypoxia. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke website. Available at: https://www.ninds.nih.gov/health-information/disorders/cerebral-hypoxia.
  • Hypoxic-ischemic brain injury in adults. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: https://www.dynamed.com/condition/hypoxic-ischemic-brain-injury-in-adults.
  • Rubinos, C. and Ruland, S. Neurologic complications in the intensive care unit. Curr Neurol Neurosci Rep, 2016; 16 (6): 57.

Contributors

  • Rimas Lukas, MD
Last Updated:
2022-08-01

(C) Copyright 2023 EBSCO Information Services

This content is reviewed regularly and is updated when new and relevant evidence is made available. This information is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with questions regarding a medical condition.