What Is Cerebral Anoxia?

Cerebral anoxia is a condition that refers to oxygen loss in the brain. This is unlike cerebral hypoxia, which is reduced oxygen flowing to the brain. Knowing a little about cerebral anoxia can teach you how your circulatory system works.

What Causes It

• A wide number of factors can cause cerebral anoxia, which is the complete loss of oxygen to the brain. These factors include smoke inhalation, drowning and strangulation, either forced or willing. This is why a game called "The Choking Game" is so widely spoken against by doctors and the media, since it can be very dangerous. Erotic asphyxiation is also a growing concern because of accidental death caused by cerebral anoxia. More often than not, this condition is brought on by trauma as previously mentioned. Drug overdoses and even blunt force trauma to the brain can cause it. Childbirth is also a traumatic experience that can leave the child vulnerable to this condition.

Dangers

• Cerebral anoxia is dangerous because of what can result from it. If your brain goes without oxygen for longer than six minutes, severe damage can occur in the brain cells. This can cause issues like mental retardation. It can also lead to death because your entire body is reliant on the circulatory system, including your brain. When cerebral anoxia occurs during childbirth, the affected child is at risk for developing cerebral palsy.

Signs and Symptoms

• The signs and symptoms of cerebral anoxia are easy to spot. They are all associated with losing oxygen supply to the brain and include lightheadedness, blurred vision, loss of memory and fainting.

Prevent Cerebral Anoxia

• Preventing cerebral anoxia involves the prevention of accidents and incidents that cause this condition. If you're a parent, day-care worker or educator, items that children can choke on must be kept out of reach of small hands -- and mouths. Learning first aid and CPR is also a wise step to take in assuring you know how to prevent cerebral anoxia or hypoxia.