Anoxia can also occur as a result of chronic asthma, a heart attack, or the inhalation of carbon monoxide or smoke, according to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. It can lead to seizures of a myoclonic nature. This means one may experience muscle spasms and rigidity of the neck. For more information, visit http://www.ninds.nih.gov/health_and_medi....
Since the brain uses approximately twenty percent of the body's oxygen, oxygen plays an important role in helping the brain function. That is why brain injury often results from anoxia. If oxygen cannot get to the brain, devastating effects soon follow, depleting the brain of oxygen as well as normal functioning.
Neurotransmitters, such as norepinephrine, dopamine and seratonin are essential to the brain's normal functioning. And when the brain does not receive enough oxygen, these neurotransmitters cannot function properly. Holding your breath for long periods of time can actually cause this. A lack of blood or hemoglobin can cause anemic anoxia. Hemorrhaging of the brain may also be to blame. Like any brain injury, anoxia can cause deficits, both physical and mental.
Similar to anoxic brain injury, hypoxic brain injury can result in limitations. A loss of judgement is quite common. Executive functions of the brain, such as cognition may be affected. For more information, visit http://www.caregiver.org/factsheets/hypo....
Emaciated neurons, which appear reddish, are often present in the cerebral cortex when anoxia has occurred, according to the website, "Anoxia of the Brain." If maintained, the cardiovascular and respiratory systems may recover. Nevertheless, emotional problems can result. Problems, such as memory loss, parietal lobe syndromes, or amnesia may result. For more information, visit http://www.ninds.nih.gov/health_and_medi....
With the intricacy of the human brain, there are still some things that man does not understand. If tapped, certain portions of the brain may activate child-like behavior. The same goes for memories. Everything you experience is stored somewhere in your brain. This may help explain why memory loss occurs as a result of brain injury. When damaged, cells die in that part of the brain. And since the brain is incapable of making new cells, these capabilities are lost forever. The limbic system plays a key role in memory. It is here that memories are formed.
Go To Page: 1 2
| Here's the follow-up discussion on this article: | View all related messages |
For a complete listing of article comments, questions, and other discussions related to Shannon Lester's Brain Injuries topic, please visit the Discussions page.