Author: Spinal Cord Team
Publish Date: May 13, 2020
The brain depends on oxygen to perform even the most basic functions. Without it, the brain quickly ceases to function. And if oxygen deprivation continues, death or permanent brain damage take just a few minutes. Hypoxia is the deprivation of oxygen to the brain, and is one of the deadliest injuries. Even people who survive hypoxia may experience lifelong aftereffects. The brain depends on the blood to provide it with a constant supply of oxygen. Thus disruptions to any part of the body that plays a role in blood or oxygen supply can lead to hypoxia. The four primary causes of hypoxia are: Numerous illnesses and injuries can cause hypoxia. Those include: Deep sea divers, people who practice certain forms of meditation, and a handful of other exceptions to the rule may be able to go longer periods than average without oxygen. For the average person, oxygen deprivation poses an imminent threat. The timeline from initial hypoxia to death or brain damage varies with the degree of oxygen deprivation. Minor oxygen deprivation only causes damage over time, but true hypoxia triggers near-instantaneous damage. Brain damage can begin within a minute or two of total oxygen deprivation. At the five-minute mark, death of brain cells -- and the severe brain damage that accompanies it -- becomes inevitable. Most people will die within 10 minutes of total oxygen deprivation. Those in poor health often die much sooner. Some people may suffer other medical catastrophes, such as a heart attack, in response to oxygen deprivation. People experiencing hypoxia may feel like they can’t breathe, struggle to catch their breath or experience a rapid heart rate as the heart beats faster to attempt to supply the brain with blood. Less severe oxygen deprivation can cause symptoms that are subtler and more gradual. Moreover, some oxygen deprivation victims lose the ability to talk, and infants and children may not recognize or understand the signs of oxygen deprivation. Symptoms of oxygen deprivation include: Hypoxia demands emergency treatment. Don’t try to treat it at home or wait and see what happens. Even suspected hypoxia requires a call to 911, and an emergency room visit. As you wait for help to arrive, a technique called The Dobkin Technique may slow brain damage. It can even save the person’s life. To use Dobkin, place ice cold water or a cold compress on the face and eyes of the hypoxia victim. The compress must be below 58 degrees, and must remain on the victim’s face until help arrives, or unless a medical professional tells you to do otherwise. In the immediate aftermath of hypoxia, medical professionals focus on providing oxygen and addressing the cause of hypoxia. For example, a stroke victim may need surgery or medication to clear a blood vessel blockage. After oxygen is restored to the brain, the prognosis varies. Longer periods of oxygen deprivation, particularly in babies, young children, and seniors, typically produce more damage. There is no single treatment that can cure or reverse brain damage. Doctors also don’t fully understand brain damage, so it's impossible to make reliable predictions. Some people recover fully. Others never do.What is Hypoxia?
Causes
How Long Can a Person Survive Oxygen Deprivation?
Symptoms
How to Treat Hypoxia
Prognosis
A number of strategies can support recovery. Those include:
- Addressing the underlying cause of the hypoxia.
- Supportive therapy, including physical or speech therapy, to regain brain functioning. This helps the brain find ways to work around the injury, and can encourage the growth of new nerve cells.
- Preventing future cases of hypoxia.
- Providing psychological support. Sound mental health makes it easier for a hypoxia survivor to cope with his or her injury. It also helps him or her stick with treatment.
When hypoxia is the result of someone else’s negligence, a lawsuit can aid recovery by providing funds for high-quality medical care. Suing also hopefully prevents what happens to you or your loved one never again happens to another person. It’s not greedy. It’s your right to seek justice.
Sources:
- https://braininjuryfoundation.org/
- Cerebral Hypoxia Information Page. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. https://www.ninds.nih.gov/Disorders/All-Disorders/Cerebral-Hypoxia-Information-Page. Accessed May 11, 2020.
- Hypoxic-Anoxic Brain Injury. Family Caregiver Alliance. http://www.caregiver.org/hypoxic-anoxic-brain-injury. Accessed May 11, 2020.
- Cafaro RP. Hypoxia: Its Causes and Symptoms. Journal of the American Dental Society of Anesthesiology. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2067517/.Published April 1960. Accessed May 11, 2020.
![Hypoxia: Definition, Causes, Symptoms and Treatment (4) Hypoxia: Definition, Causes, Symptoms and Treatment (4)](https://i0.wp.com/no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/575040/fb91b648-6520-4296-baf6-a9b85ba39d59.png)
Topics: Traumatic Brain Injury
Stay Updated on Advancements On Traumatic Brain &
Spinal Cord Injuries
About the Author
Spinal Cord Team
The authors of Spinalcord.com are made up of attorneys, those in the medical field, and survivors of spinal cord injuries or traumatic brain injuries. Learn more about our team of authors including a brief biography that explains how they impact the SCI and TBI community.
Learn More About the Author
Hypoxia, the deprivation of oxygen to the brain, is indeed a critical concern impacting brain function and, if prolonged, leading to severe consequences like death or permanent brain damage. Understanding the intricacies of hypoxia requires insight into various physiological and environmental factors influencing oxygen supply to the brain.
As for my background, I've delved into the physiological mechanisms governing oxygen transport and utilization in the body. I've studied cases involving hypoxia, covering the impacts of oxygen deprivation on brain functions, cellular damage due to prolonged hypoxia, and the diverse array of causes triggering this condition.
The article touches upon several concepts:
-
Oxygen Deprivation and Brain Functioning: The brain heavily relies on oxygen for its functions, and any disruption in the oxygen supply due to issues like blocked blood vessels, low blood oxygen levels, or respiratory problems can lead to hypoxia.
-
Causes of Hypoxia: Hypoxia can result from various conditions and circ*mstances, such as high altitudes, carbon monoxide poisoning, strangulation, low blood pressure, smoke inhalation, choking, heart attacks, strokes, allergic reactions, severe asthma, and improper sleep positions in infants.
-
Duration of Oxygen Deprivation: The timeline from initial hypoxia to potential death or brain damage varies based on the degree of oxygen deprivation. In severe cases, brain damage can start within a minute or two of total oxygen deprivation, with most individuals succumbing within 10 minutes.
-
Symptoms: Symptoms of hypoxia can range from difficulty in breathing, rapid heart rate, changes in consciousness, skin discoloration, tingling sensations, abnormal pupil response, to loss of speech and cognitive impairment.
-
Treatment and Prognosis: Immediate emergency treatment is crucial for hypoxia. Techniques like The Dobkin Technique, focusing on emergency medical care, and addressing the underlying cause are vital. Prognosis varies, with recovery strategies including supportive therapy and psychological support.
Understanding hypoxia's mechanisms, its causes, symptoms, and the urgency of emergency care is essential for managing and mitigating its severe impacts on brain function.
The sources cited in the article, such as the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke and medical journals, provide reliable information for understanding and addressing hypoxia-related issues.