 | | | | Medical Health Encyclopedia | |
Cerebral hypoxia
Definition:
The term cerebral hypoxia technically refers to a lack of oxygen supply to the cerebral hemispheres (the outer portion of the brain), but it is more typically used to refer to a lack of oxygen supply to the entire brain. Alternative Names:
Hypoxic encephalopathy Text Continues Below
Causes, incidence, and risk factors:
There are numerous causes of cerebral hypoxia. These include, but are not limited to: - Drowning
- Drug overdose
- Asphyxiation caused by smoke inhalation
- Very low blood pressure
- Strangulation
- Injuries during birth
- Cardiac arrest (when the heart stops pumping)
- Carbon monoxide poisoning
- High altitudes
- Choking
- Compression of the trachea
- Complications of general anesthesia
- Diseases that paralyze the respiratory muscles
Brain cells are extremely sensitive to oxygen deprivation. Some brain cells actually start dying less than 5 minutes after their oxygen supply is cut. As a result, brain hypoxia can kill or cause severe brain damage rapidly. This is an emergency condition and the sooner medical attention is given and the oxygen supply restored, the lower the chances of severe brain damage and death.
A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org).
The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. Copyright 2004 A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited. | |
| 
.gif)
