Anoxia results in injury to the brain as a result of the death of brain cells when the brain is not able to get the levels of oxygen in the blood that it needs to work the way it should. When it suffers an anoxic brain injury, the brain is not able to perform its essential functions without enough oxygen. The electrochemistry of the brain is disrupted. Neurotransmitters cannot do their important work for the function of the body. In the course of just a few minutes, an oxygen depleted brain can be seriously and permanently damaged.
Proper medical treatment is essential to prevent anoxic brain injury as many medical conditions, when the appropriate treatment is not given, present a risk of creating reduced oxygen in the blood and thus an anoxic brain injury if medical personnel do not take necessary precautions to prevent it. Anoxic brain injury can result from:
- Very low blood pressure, such as from infection
- Toxicity, such as from medication error
- Stroke
- Heart attack
- Irregular heart beat
- Tumor
- Respiratory problems or injury to the trachea
Immediately, anoxic brain damage may manifest itself in a loss of consciousness or coma. This immediate medical emergency requires urgent treatment and good medical judgment. If this initial crisis is successfully overcome, long lasting or permanent effects may still occur, such as memory and focus problems, learning challenges, difficulty with divided attention tasks, reduction of analytical ability, difficulty with word associations, changes in vision, poor coordination, difficulty controlling body movements, mood regulation difficulty, headache, and even changes the personality of the victim of the injury.
If you believe that another person’s mistake may have resulted in a preventable anoxic brain injury, The Seattle anoxic brain injury attorneys at the Hornbuckle Firm may be able to help. To discuss your case with us in a free, confidential consultation at a time and place convenient to you, please give us a call today.
