Causes of Anoxic Brain Injury

Being deprived of oxygen for as little as five minutes can cause permanent brain damage, although anoxic brain injury rehabilitation is possible. There are four major causes of anoxic brain injury • Anemic anoxiarn• Toxic anoxiarn• Stagnant anoxiarn• Anoxic anoxia Anemic anoxia occurs when the blood cannot carry enough oxygen to the brain for it to continue normal functioning. Although the brain is getting enough blood, it is not getting enough oxygen and eventually has to shut down some vital functions. Carbon monoxide poisoning, acute hemorrhage, some forms of lung disease and, of course, chronic anemia can cause anemic anoxia. Toxic anoxia is caused by toxins that keep the blood in the brain from being used effectively. The most famous cause of toxic anoxia is carbon monoxide poisoning, which can also cause anemic anoxia. However, toxic anoxia may be caused by everything from illegal drug abuse to poisoning by common household items. Stagnant anoxia, or hypoxic ischemic injury, is what happens when an injury or other internal condition keeps oxygen-rich blood from flowing to the brain. Although it may seem similar to anemic anoxia, the difference is that in anemic anoxia the blood reaches the brain but lacks oxygen, while in stagnant anoxia the blood has plenty of oxygen but simply does not have access to the brain. Cardiac arrest or arrhythmia and strokes may cause stagnant anoxia. Anoxic anoxia is a condition caused when there is not enough oxygen in the air for the body to maintain all of its functions. It is most commonly associated with high altitudes, in which the air is so thin that there might not be enough oxygen for the body to maintain ordinary functioning. This is why mountain climbers usually carry oxygen tanks. Whatever the cause, anoxic brain injury rehabilitation is necessary for a full recovery from anoxic brain injury. The Florida Institute for Neurological Rehabilitation offers services for patients suffering from anoxic brain injury—and many other types of brain injury. With the help of doctors and specialists in recovery from brain injury, anoxic brain injury rehabilitation is possible, and the patient can come to live a normal life.rnThe Florida Institute for Neurologic Rehabilitation is a leader in traumatic brain injury, neurorehabilitation and neuropsychiatric disorders.rnIt offers a continuum of care for children and adults with diverse and complicated needs for medical, neuropsychiatric, neurorehabilitation and neurobehavioral care. Each patient has an individualized treatment plan formed through a pre-admission evaluation and medical records review. For more information, contact FINR at 800-697-5390 or 888-824-3467, or online at www.finr.net.