In order to function correctly, the human brain requires a constant oxygen flow. Without oxygen, there is a potential for serious and long-term brain injury. There are two types of brain injuries that involve the loss of oxygen to the brain: anoxic and hypoxic. Both of these types of brain injuries vary in severity based on how long the brain goes without oxygen. Both types of injuries can arise from the same causes, but there are some differences between the two types.
Hypoxic Brain Injuries
Hypoxic brain injuries occur when there is a partial disruption of oxygen flow to the brain. While a person can recover from this injury, it still has the potential to cause serious damage, including short-term memory loss or difficulty with words or vision. It can also cause an initial loss of consciousness for a short period of time, but even when the victim becomes conscious again, they may still have experienced enough damage to create significant problems.
Anoxic Brain Injuries
When someone is diagnosed with an anoxic brain injury, it means there is a total lack of oxygen to the brain, disrupting its ability to properly function. If left untreated for an extended period of time, this can lead to brain damage and can be fatal. The symptoms associated with an anoxic brain injury vary depending on the duration of the lack of oxygen, but mild symptoms can include light-headedness, dizziness, and increased breathing rate.
Potential Causes of Anoxic & Hypoxic Brain Injury
Some of the potential causes of anoxic and hypoxic brain injuries affect both adults and children, with some even impacting babies. For instance, suffocation due to a near drowning or choking can result in a lack of oxygen flow to the brain. Similarly, babies can suffer umbilical cord strangulation during birth, which can cut off the airflow and result in lack of oxygen.
Some other causes include the following:
- Cardiac arrest
- Irregular heartbeat
- Suffocation
- Smoke inhalation
- Carbon monoxide poisoning
- Anesthesia complications
- Poisoning
No matter the situation, if the anoxic or hypoxic brain injury is caused by another party due to negligence, the victim may have the right to file a lawsuit to obtain justice and seek monetary compensation for the damages he or she has sustained. It is important to have a St. Louis brain injury attorney representing you to help you seek the most favorable result possible. You can trust in the team at The Simon Law Firm, P.C. to put your best interests first.
Call us today if you or your loved one has sustained brain damage due to someone else’s actions.
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