Cerebral anoxia is a condition characterized by a lack of oxygen in the brain, which can lead to the death of neurons and result in irreversible brain damage. Anoxia can happen due to bleeding or respiratory arrest, for example, and the longer the brain goes without oxygen, the more serious the consequences.
The severity of the injury is also related to the region of the brain that has no oxygen supply. As the central nervous system hardly regenerates, the lesions may be permanent.
Symptoms of cerebral anoxia
Due to a lack of oxygen in the brain, neuronal cells begin to die, which can lead to irreversible brain damage, which can lead to a coma and even brain death. The longer the brain goes without oxygen, the worse the consequences. Therefore, it is important to be aware of the indicative signs of cerebral anoxia:
- Increased heart rate; Difficulty breathing; Loss of consciousness; Dizziness; Mental confusion; Blue coloration of the lips or nails; Tremors; Unconsciousness.
Cerebral anoxia can happen soon after birth, being one of the main causes of neonatal asphyxia. The lack of oxygen in the brain can also happen in older people, especially those who are at a higher risk of heart attack or stroke. See how to identify and treat stroke.
How the treatment is done
The main goal of treatment for cerebral anoxia is to restore oxygen levels in the brain. In addition, several studies with embryonic stem cells have been carried out and claim that it is possible to reverse some of the consequences of cerebral anoxia, however further studies are still needed for embryonic stem cell therapy to be an alternative for this type of condition. See how the treatment with stem cells is done.
