What is an Anoxic Brain Injury?
ANOXIC BRAIN INJURY refers to damage caused to the brain when its oxygen supply is cut off. In general, this occurs when there is an absence of oxygen intake (no breathing) or an impairment in oxygen transport by the blood stream. Anoxic brain injury can occur along with cardiac arrest, as a complication of surgery, or as a result of near-drowning. When the flow of oxygen to the brain is interrupted even for just a few minutes, serious, irreversible damage can occur. While traumatic brain injury can result in bruising and swelling of the brain , anoxic brain injury causes brain cells to die. The sequela of anoxic brain injury (the physical and cognitive impairments) resemble those of other types of brain trauma. Rehabilitation for anoxic brain injury involves many of the same therapies as traumatic brain injury… physical therapy, cognitive therapy, occupational therapy, etc. The prognosis for someone with anoxic brain injury depends upon pre-morbid factors (e.g., pre-injury heart con
