When there’s a lack of oxygen to the brain, anoxic brain injuries can occur. In fact, after approximately four minutes of oxygen deprivation, brain cells start dying.

Let’s take a look at the exact causes of anoxic brain injuries and find out what you should do if you suffer an injury due to a lack of oxygen.

Common Symptoms of Brain Oxygen Deprivation

Before looking at the causes of anoxic brain injuries, let’s first explore the common symptoms of brain oxygen deprivation.

When the brain is deprived of oxygen, it will usually result in the loss of consciousness, which can either be short-term or long-term.

Anoxic brain injury symptoms also include, but are not limited to:

  • Slurring and difficulties with speech.
  • Disorientation and confusion.
  • Facial drooping.
  • Headache.
  • Vision problems.
  • Seizures.
  • Changes in personality.
  • Memory problems.
  • Changes in sensory perception.
  • Lack of bowel and bladder control.

If you or a loved one has an injury due to brain oxygen deprivation, you should get medical attention straight away. And if the symptoms are caused by someone’s negligence, you should contact a lawyer to get advice about your legal rights.

Causes of Anoxic Brain Injuries

There are various causes of anoxic brain injuries. Here are six of the most common causes.

1. Strokes

A stroke happens when the supply of oxygen to brain tissue is blocked.

When a portion of the brain doesn’t get adequate oxygen and blood, the affected brain tissue can potentially die.

2.  Cardiac Arrest

One of the main purposes of the heart is to keep blood circulating around the body. If the heart stops working correctly, such as with a cardiac arrest, oxygen and nutrients could no longer be circulated at an adequate rate to supply organs, including the brain.

3. Near Drowning

When someone is nearly drowned, his or her lungs are filled with water. In turn, that means the supply of oxygen to the brain and the rest of the body is significantly decreased.

Therefore, near drowning can cause anoxic brain injuries.

4. Choking

If you should experience a choking injury, your airway could become entirely or partially compromised. In turn, that could lead to oxygen not being able to get to the brain.

If an object gets stuck in your throat, get immediate medical treatment.

5. Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

If someone experiences carbon monoxide poisoning, his or her body will be starved of oxygen, meaning it cannot reach the brain and other vital organs.

The poisoning can result in anoxic brain injuries, so it’s a good idea to always have a carbon monoxide detector in your home that can alert you as soon as the gas of carbon monoxide is present and reaches dangerous levels.

6. Drug Overdoses

Both recreational and prescription drugs can cause injuries. Taking illegal drugs or the wrong combination of prescription drugs, for example, could slow your heart rate and respiration to such an extent that your brain becomes deprived of oxygen.

As well as causing an anoxic brain injury, drug overdoses can lead to a wide variety of serious health issues, including comas and even death.

What to Do if You’ve Suffered an Injury Due to Lack of Oxygen

If you suffer an injury due to a lack of oxygen, it can result in serious consequences. So, if you or a loved one experiences any kind of injury that leads to the brain being deprived of oxygen, call 911 immediately.

Emergency responders and healthcare professionals can then take the appropriate action to quickly restore oxygen flow to the brain and treat the cause of the condition.