Hypoxic Vs. Anoxic Brain Injury: What You Need to Know

The brain requires a continuous supply of oxygen to survive and function properly; if the oxygen supply is interrupted, then it can create problems for your health. It will disturb your brain and lead to irreversible injuries. There are two types of damage, such as anoxic and hypoxic brain injuries, which affect people. 

In this article, we will discuss, about what is the difference between these two injuries and what you need to know about them. So, let’s begin our discussion about hypoxic brain injury and its contrast with anoxic. 

What is the Difference Between Hypoxic Brain Injury? 

Oxygen is important for the brain to make glucose, which is the main source of energy for the brain. If the oxygen supply is interrupted in the brain, you will lose consciousness and also damage the brain within a few minutes. 

If there is a complete interruption of oxygen in the brain, it is referred to as cerebral anoxia. If you have a partial interruption in the supply of oxygen, which is inadequate for normal brain function, it is known as cerebral hypoxia. 

These two terms are generally used interchangeably, it there is a huge difference between these terms and their effects on the brain. 

What are the Causes of Hypoxic and Anoxic Brain Injury? 

There are various causes of hypoxic and anoxic brain injury and also potential reasons that can cause this injury. 

  • Cardiac or respiratory arrest
  • Irregular heart rhythm and poor function of the heart muscle. 
  • Choking, 
  • Suffocation
  • Very low blood pressure
  • Blood Loss or brain hemorrhage
  • Strangulation
  • Drowning
  • Smoke inhalation
  • Poisoning
  • Drug overdose
  • Electric shock

What are the Treatment Options of Hypoxic and Anoxic Injury?

The main stage of brain injury is to diagnose it, and when it is diagnosed at the early stage, the details of the patient’s condition can be improved. There are certain immediate treatment options available in which there will be efforts to restore a normal heartbeat, a good supply of oxygen, and blood pressure. 

There will be intensive care for such patients, and if there is an anoxic situation, then they will be put on a ventilator. Seizures are common among these patients, and therefore, it is important to bring these conditions under control. 

Patients might undergo cooling therapy, which will aid their recovery by reducing the oxygen and energy requirements of the brain cells. It is always suggested that the protective effect of cooling the brain may be one of the reasons for the improvement in the condition. So, these are certain treatment methods that will help you in improving your situation and dealing with the injury.