When a Loved One Has a Hypoxic or Anoxic Brain Injury
When an organ like the brain doesn’t get enough oxygen, the condition is called hypoxia. A complete lack of oxygen to an organ is called anoxia.
Like the rest of the body, the brain needs oxygen to work right. If it gets too little oxygen or none at all, brain cells can start to die within minutes. This can lead to lasting brain damage. The extent of the injury often depends on how long the brain didn’t have enough oxygen.
What causes hypoxic or anoxic brain injuries?
These types of brain injuries can happen when blood carrying oxygen to the brain is blocked. Or they may happen if the oxygen level in the blood is too low. Many things can cause hypoxia or anoxia, including:
What are the symptoms of hypoxic or anoxic brain injuries?
The symptoms of these types of brain injuries can vary from person to person. They may range from mild to severe. How severe they are often depends on how long the brain was without enough oxygen.
With a hypoxic or anoxic brain injury, a person may lose consciousness. They may go into a coma. Recovery is not always possible.
If the person wakes up, they may have both mental and physical problems. These may include:
-
Memory loss.
-
Confusion.
-
Trouble making decisions or focusing.
-
Problems with word choice.
-
Depression or other mood disorders.
-
Changes in personality.
-
Muscle weakness.
-
Lack of coordination.
-
Seizures.
How are hypoxic or anoxic brain injuries diagnosed?
While your loved one is in the hospital, health care providers will find out how much of the brain has been damaged. They will see how well your loved one responds to sound and touch. They will look at muscle movement and how the eyes react to light. These tests may be repeated over several days to see if your loved one’s condition is getting better.
Other tests may also be done. These include:
-
Somatosensory evoked potentials (SSEPs). This test checks to see how well nerves in the brain and body can send and receive signals.
-
Electroencephalography (EEG). This test checks the electrical activity in the brain. It can tell if a person is having seizures.
-
CT or MRI of the brain. These tests create images of the brain. They can show where the brain has been injured.
Based on these tests, providers will do their best to estimate how well your loved one is likely to recover. This is called a prognosis. Keep in mind that many things can affect your loved one’s recovery. So it can be hard to predict how well your loved one will heal. In general, the more brain damage there is, the harder and longer it will take to recover. If you have questions, talk with your loved one’s providers.
How are hypoxic or anoxic brain injuries treated?
Treatment depends on your loved one’s overall health and the extent of their injury. Your loved one may first need surgery or other treatments to restore oxygen to the brain.
If your loved one is unconscious, providers will give supportive care. That may include:
-
Ventilator. This machine helps a person breathe when they can’t do so on their own.
-
I.V. (intravenous) fluids. These can help keep the person hydrated. Your loved one may also get nutrition through an I.V.
-
Medicines. These will be given through an IV. They may be needed to maintain normal body processes such as blood pressure and heart rate.
If your loved one had cardiac arrest, they may be treated with therapeutic hypothermia. This treatment is also called body cooling. The brain does not need as much oxygen or blood flow at a lower body temperature. The treatment lowers a person’s body temperature to help prevent more brain damage. It usually lasts for about 24 hours. After that, the person’s body is slowly rewarmed.
Recovering from a hypoxic or anoxic brain injury
Recovery from a hypoxic or anoxic brain injury can be challenging. Rehabilitation is key. Your loved one will work with a team of providers. The team may include physical therapists, occupational therapists, speech therapists, and a mental health provider. These people will help your loved one regain their mental and physical abilities. Keep in mind that some symptoms, such as memory loss, may not get better over time.
A support group may help you and your loved one through recovery. Talk with the health care team about support groups near you. Or visit these websites for help: