Cerebral hypoxia

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Central nervous system

The term cerebral hypoxia technically refers to lack of oxygen supply to the cerebral hemispheres (the outer portion of the brain). However, it is more typically used to refer to a lack of oxygen supply to the entire brain.

Hypoxic encephalopathy

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

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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.

Review Date: 09/07/2006
Reviewed By: Kenneth Gross, M.D., Neurology, North Miami, FL. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.