California Anoxic Brain Injury Attorneys
Anoxic Brain Injury
The brain needs oxygen to function properly. When oxygen levels supplied to the brain are insufficient, brain cells begin to die. After an extended amount of time without an adequate supply of oxygen, usually five minutes or longer, permanent anoxic brain injury can occur. Survivors of an anoxic brain injury, which is also called a cerebral hypoxia or hypoxic-anoxic injury, may suffer from severe cognitive problems, and mental and physical disabilities.
Types of Anoxic Brain Injury
Anemic anoxia
Anemic anoxia occurs when blood cannot carry sufficient amounts of oxygen throughout the body and to the brain. Blood flow to the brain may be adequate, but a lack of oxygen can affect the performance of vital brain functions. Common causes of anemic anoxia are chronic anemia, acute hemorrhage and carbon monoxide poisoning.
Anoxic anoxia
Anoxic anoxia occurs when there is not enough oxygen present in the air itself to be used by the body. Anoxic anoxia is extremely rare and usually occurs at high altitudes.
Stagnant anoxia
Stagnant anoxia, or hypoxia-ischemic injury (HII) as it is also called, is caused by internal conditions such as a stroke, cardiac arrhythmia or cardiac arrest that prevent enough oxygenated blood from reaching the brain.
Toxic anoxia
Toxins in the body that interfere with an individual’s ability to process and supply oxygen to the brain cause toxic anoxia. Carbon monoxide poisoning is a common cause of toxic anoxia.
Causes of Anoxic Brain Injury
The most common causes of an anoxic brain injury, include:
- Electrical shock
- Heart attack
- Carbon monoxide poisoning
- Poisoning
- Suffocation
- Chest compression
- Severe bleeding
- Use of illegal drugs
- Brain tumors
- Drowning
- Respiratory conditions
- Heart arrhythmia.
Anoxic Brain Injury Symptoms
When a person suffers an anoxic brain injury, the first symptom they may experience is a loss of consciousness (coma). If a person awakens or comes out of a state of unconsciousness, they may lapse into a persistent vegetative state, or wakeful unresponsiveness as it is sometimes referred to. In a persistent vegetative state, a person is awake (not comatose) but unable to respond to environmental stimuli. A person can regain full consciousness following an anoxic brain injury, but depending on the severity and location of the injury, it is likely that they will suffer from a variety of symptoms that resemble those seen after a head injury.
Effects of Anoxic Brain Injury
The effects of an anoxic brain injury may include short-term memory loss, difficulty making decisions, poor coordination, inability to perform common tasks, movement disorders, and difficulty processing visual information and words. In addition to cognitive problems, anoxic brain injury victims may also experience severe headaches, hallucinations, personality changes and quadriparesis (weakness in all four limbs).
Diagnosis and Treatment of Anoxic Brain Injury
Diagnosis of an anoxic brain injury usually begins with doctors administering tests such as a computerized axial tomography (CAT) scan, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or an electroencephalogram (EEG). CAT scans, MRIs and EEGs can help doctors determine the severity and nature of the brain injury.
Following a test, the cause of the anoxic brain injury is usually determined and treated. For example, if a respiratory condition is preventing oxygen from getting to the brain, doctors will treat the respiratory condition first. Once the cause of injury is treated, doctors will focus their efforts on stopping any further brain damage from occurring. Patients may be given steroids to reduce brain swelling and barbiturates to help brain tissue recover. Anti-seizure medication may also be given and in many cases, patients are put on a ventilator to ensure they are receiving an adequate supply of oxygen.
Once the patient has been stabilized, the rehabilitation process can begin. In fact, it has been shown by several studies that the sooner a patient is able to start rehabilitation the more likely they are to reach their maximum recovery potential. During the rehabilitation phase, patients may work with physical therapists, occupational specialists, and nurses and doctor to improve functions in speech, movement, and daily tasks.
Legal Representation for Victims of Anoxic Brain Injury
An anoxic brain injury can drastically change the life of a victim. Anoxic brain injury survivors often require a lifetime of rehabilitation and medical care, which can cause tremendous financial strain. Victims may be entitled to financial compensation if the injury was caused by the negligent or careless actions of another. If you or a loved one suffered an anoxic brain injury, contact a Northern California anoxic brain injury lawyer at the Brain Injury Legal Help Center for more information regarding your legal rights.