What to take during oxygen starvation. Types of oxygen starvation. Causes of oxygen starvation of the brain

Hypoxia means oxygen starvation of the body as a whole or some organs. This condition appears due to insufficient oxygen in the inhaled gas mixture, in the blood, or when tissue respiration mechanisms are damaged. Changes that occur due to hypoxia are usually irreversible, so it is unacceptable to ignore this condition.

Hypoxia of the brain, heart, and kidneys is especially dangerous, since these systems are most sensitive to oxygen limitation.

What is hypoxia

The brain ranks first in terms of the volume of servicing blood flow: 20% of the blood volume is spent on delivering oxygen and nutrients to the brain.

Brain tissue is extremely sensitive to a lack of oxygen: after 4 seconds of acute insufficiency, its functionality is impaired, after 8-12 seconds a person loses consciousness, and after 30 seconds a coma sets in. In the absence of blood flow, the brain is able to function for no more than 4-5 minutes.

In practice, the time interval is somewhat longer, since acute hypoxia associated with the complete disappearance of blood flow is a rare phenomenon. Most often, a person is faced with a decrease in oxygen in the blood or disturbances in the absorption mechanism. The prognosis for life in this case is better, but the consequences of hypoxia range from treatable to severe irreversible.

Types of pathological condition

Hypoxia is not an independent disease. This is a condition that occurs when the volume of oxygen entering the cells decreases. Many different factors lead to this.

Types by etiology

Towards external factors the condition is classified as follows.

Hypoxic - or exogenous. The condition develops due to a lack of oxygen in the inhaled air. The most trivial reason is a poorly ventilated room, ineffective ventilation in a completely enclosed room. Climbers encounter this kind of condition when climbing, since the volume of oxygen in the air decreases with altitude.
Respiratory - or respiratory. There are malfunctions here respiratory tract: pneumonia, exacerbation of bronchial asthma, dysfunction respiratory center, injuries and so on. The reasons here are obvious and all efforts are aimed at treating the primary disease.
Cardiovascular - or circulatory. The cause is changes in the composition of the blood that contribute to the disorder normal course blood. This condition occurs with heart failure, narrowing of the working bed of the vessel due to thrombosis, atherosclerotic plaque, and so on. The consequences of hypoxia here are much more serious, including ischemic stroke of the brain.
Hemic - associated with changes in blood composition. In the human body, oxygen molecules are transported in the form of a complex with hemoglobin. When the amount of hemoglobin or red blood cells decreases, oxygen remains unbound and, accordingly, cannot be delivered to the cell. The same picture is observed when the mechanism of binding hemoglobin with oxygen is destroyed.
Tissue - in this case, the mechanism of oxygen utilization in the cell is disrupted, for example, when a fragment of the mitochondrial respiratory chain is blocked. Some poisons and medications have this effect.
Overload is usually a temporary phenomenon associated with excessive load to a muscle, nerve tissue or organ.
Technogenic - such hypoxia is formed when constant action harmful, toxic substances in some industries.
Mixed - any type of hypoxia, extended in time enough to cause tissue hypoxia. Here we need treatment of both the primary form and the secondary one.

Varieties by development time

Since hypoxia is a condition and not a disease, the rate of its formation can be very different.

Lightning - for example, due to hemorrhage in the respiratory center or as a result of injury. If urgent assistance is not provided, this condition ends in death.
Acute cerebral hypoxia develops over several hours. An example of this is cyanide poisoning, which blocks an enzyme in the respiratory chain. Help here is needed immediately, otherwise neither life nor health of a person is guaranteed. However, to carry out therapeutic measures more time is allocated.
Chronic brain hypoxia is not so life-threatening, but significantly reduces its quality. To compensate constant shortage oxygen, the body uses a variety of additional mechanisms. However, any of them are aimed only at maintaining vital functions, but not at all at fully restoring functions.

The most obvious compensation mechanisms include increasing the depth and frequency of inputs. Reserve alveoli begin to participate in breathing in order to maximize the working surface. Outwardly, this manifests itself as severe shortness of breath, which noticeably limits mobility. This increases the heart rate and blood pressure.

There is a redistribution of blood flow: to internal organs more blood is sent, and the periphery begins to experience secondary oxygen starvation. Lack of oxygen creates the need to increase the number of red blood cells, which significantly increases the risk of blood clots.

All this leads to rapid wear and damage to the cardiovascular and respiratory systems. Therefore, treatment of hypoxia should be started at the earliest stages. Deal with it later painful condition and the consequences of its compensation are much more complicated.

Classification by localization

A lack of oxygen can be observed in a specific area of the brain, or it can cover the entire organ.

The following types are considered:

Scattered - a consequence of a general lack of oxygen in the blood. Causes low to moderate impairment. Curable with the most favorable prognosis.
Central cerebral ischemia is formed when the blood supply to some part of the brain is disrupted. The cause, as a rule, is a narrowing of the vessel - an aneurysm, a blood clot. This condition is usually part of a larger medical condition.
Global cerebral ischemia is a complete cessation of blood flow.
Ischemic stroke - also caused by sharp narrowing or obstruction of a blood vessel. Typically, a stroke affects several areas.

Symptoms of hypoxia

Like many other disorders in the central nervous system, hypoxia is accompanied by deterioration mental activity. The first signs of it are difficulties in solving problems, deterioration of short-term memory, that is, symptoms that can easily be attributed to fatigue.

On next stage acute hypoxia, the victim often experiences a state of euphoria. Excessive energy and excitement is accompanied by a clear lack of coordination and an unsteady gait.

Despite self-awareness from an objective point of view, cognitive functions deteriorate. Excitement is accompanied by pallor, but can sometimes cause redness of the skin. Profuse and unpleasant sweating, breathing and rapid heartbeat appear.

Excitement gives way to apathy, drowsiness, and is accompanied by dizziness. Vision decreases, spots appear before the eyes, then the patient loses consciousness. Fainting turns into a coma of varying depths.

Even at this stage, resuscitation care allows not only to save the patient’s life, but also to completely restore all brain functions. Restoration occurs in reverse order.

The cause of chronic lack of oxygen is diseases associated with narrowing blood vessels eg: syndrome cervical artery for osteochondrosis, hypertensive encephalopathy, etc.

Symptoms of brain hypoxia include the following disorders:

dizziness, constant ringing in the ears;
constant headache. The pain is relieved with vasodilator drugs, but immediately returns;
impaired balance, coordination, speech;
attacks of nausea and vomiting in the morning;
deterioration of mental abilities - memory impairment, decreased performance;
possible various violations sleep;
observed abrupt change mood, tearfulness and irritability prevail, depression and apathy develop.

Treatment of chronic hypoxia is inseparable from the treatment of the underlying disease. Only by eliminating the primary factor can success be achieved by restoring normal blood supply to the brain.

Diagnostics

Acute hypoxia is quite different characteristic symptoms, which facilitates diagnosis. The signs of chronic disease coincide with most of the symptoms of disorders in the functioning of the central nervous system, and in most cases the cause of their appearance is a lack of oxygen.

The purpose of diagnostics for hypoxia is to establish primary cause pathological condition.

Blood test - both general and gas. The former indicates the number of red blood cells, the latter allows you to accurately determine the partial pressure of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the blood.
An encephalogram of the head provides information about the state of brain cells and the presence of poorly functioning areas.
Rheovasography allows you to determine the condition of the blood vessels supplying the brain.
Angiography - general or selective, provides more full picture blood flow
Magnetic resonance imaging is the most informational method. Indispensable for suspected ischemia of certain areas of the brain.
Capnography and CO-metry indicate the volume of carbon dioxide in exhaled air. In this way, disturbances in lung function are excluded or confirmed.

Treatment

Since the causes of the condition are varied, different methods are used to treat cerebral hypoxia.

The exogenous form requires only restoration normal content oxygen in the blood, the source being inhaled air. The treatment method is an oxygen pillow.
In case of respiratory hypoxia, treatment is aimed at restoring the functions of the respiratory tract. For this purpose, respiratory analeptics, drugs that dilate the bronchi, and antihypoxanes are used.
In the hemic form, drugs are used to help restore hematopoietic function. A common method is blood transfusion.
To treat circulatory hypoxia, anticoagulants, vasodilators, nootropics, decongestants, angioprotectors, and so on are prescribed.
The tissue form involves the use of antidotes if the root cause is poisoning. Any measures aimed at improving oxygen supply are acceptable: taking vitamins, hyperbaric oxygenation and even walking fresh air.

Acute cerebral hypoxia is fatal dangerous condition. Chronic significantly reduces the standard of living. Any form of the disease requires effective and immediate treatment.

Oxygen starvation, or hypoxia, is a condition of the body in which the normal supply of oxygen to the brain is disrupted. Hypoxia affects its outer part. But, as a rule, this term is also used to refer to the lack of oxygen in the entire brain. Based on the latest statistical research, the highest prevalence of this disease was identified among residents of megacities and employees of enterprises who work in rooms where there is no normal air ventilation.

Causes

Predisposing factors that provoke oxygen starvation of the brain include:

Inhalation of carbon monoxide.
Diseases that prevent normal operation respiratory muscles.
Carbon monoxide poisoning.
Greater height.
Suffocation.

Kinds

There are several types of this disease:

Hypoxic. This variety is quite often diagnosed in people who climb to great heights. As a rule, this manifests itself according to the following scheme: than more height, the more the lack of oxygen becomes greater.
Hemic. Characterized by a decrease in oxygen capacity in the blood.
Respiratory. A characteristic feature of this disease is the presence of pathological processes, which negatively affects the entire respiratory system.
Circulatory. It appears in case of lack of blood circulation.
Fabric. The cause of its occurrence is considered to be a decrease in the activity of respiratory enzymes.
Mixed. As the name suggests, it manifests itself as a combination of different types of this disease.
Myocardial. Manifested by a lack of oxygen in the heart muscle. The danger of this type of hypoxia lies in high probability development of a serious complication in the future - ischemia.

According to the period of occurrence they distinguish:

Lightning fast, which develops in a split second and lasts a maximum of 3-5 minutes.
Spicy. It usually appears after a heart attack or with a large loss of blood, which are predisposing factors for reducing the ability of the blood to supply oxygen to the tissues.
Chronic. Most often diagnosed with heart disease, cardiosclerosis or heart failure.

Oxygen starvation, symptoms

It is known that for normal functioning the brain requires about 3.3 million oxygen per 100 g of live weight. And if even the slightest deficiency occurs in the brain, to normalize the situation, cerebral blood flow almost instantly increases, which can exceed the norm by a maximum of two times. When this is not enough, hypoxia begins.

The initial stage of this disease is characterized by increased excitability. Most often, a state close to euphoria is observed, an inability to exercise full control over one’s actions, problems with performing simple mental tasks, and changes in gait.

Important! Evidence of the onset of hypoxia can also be changes in the upper skin of a person and the appearance of cold sweat.

If oxygen starvation continues for a significant period of time, then it characteristic features are severe vomiting and dizziness. In addition, the clarity of vision is significantly impaired, and periodic darkening of the eyes is observed. Cases of loss of consciousness are common.

Advanced cases are characterized by the appearance of cerebral edema. In the future, serious deviations in brain function may occur with further loss of conditioned and then unconditioned reflexes.

Attention! Medical practice There are several dozen cases where, as a result of prolonged hypoxia, the patient fell into a deep coma.

It should be remembered that oxygen starvation of the brain can be caused by other factors. Eg, constant stress, lack of sleep, excessive smoking or excessive drinking of alcoholic beverages.

But, as practice shows, the symptoms of this disease rarely occur alone, but rather complement each other.

Diagnostic measures

Diagnosis of this disease, in addition to general examination from the attending physician, also involves conducting specific laboratory and instrumental tests.

Using a pulse oximeter. Today, this method is not only the most accessible to determine whether oxygen starvation of the brain is present or absent, but is also easy to use. To do this, just put it on the patient’s finger special apparatus- a pulse oximeter - and literally in a couple of minutes you will know how saturated the blood is with oxygen. At the moment, the optimal level should not exceed 95%.

Determination of blood composition in veins and arteries. When this study is used, it becomes possible to establish the level of the main indicators of homeostasis, of which the following are distinguished: oxygen, partial pressure of carbon dioxide, the state of the bicarbonate and carbonate buffer.

Study of gases contained in exhaled air (CO-metry and capnography are used).

Possible complications

It is no secret that people turn to medical institutions only when it becomes unbearable to endure. But if such an approach is still justified when slight cold, then with manifestations of hypoxia it can have very serious consequences. These include:

bronchial asthma;
serious metabolic disorders;
stroke;
deep coma

Hypoxia treatment

Treatment of this disease consists of using an integrated approach, which consists of regularly performing prescribed procedures. The first step is to tell your doctor the reason that led to this condition. It can be chronic fatigue, stress or poorly ventilated room.

Drugs plant origin, the action of which is aimed at accelerating blood circulation in the patient’s body and stabilizing his general well-being.
Hyperbaric oxygenation. The essence of this therapeutic method consists in the fact that the patient is placed in a special chamber where the body is exposed to oxygen under high pressure.
Vitamins that restore brain tissue.

If weak oxygen starvation is diagnosed, treatment in this case consists of ventilating the room or taking long walks in the fresh air. Hypoxia that occurs as a result of heart disease or after poisoning is much more difficult to treat.

Treatment of respiratory hypoxia consists of prescribing drugs that dilate the bronchi, respiratory analeptics or antihypoxanes. IN special cases oxygen concentrators or artificial ventilation are used.

It should be remembered that when timely application see a doctor and if the symptoms are mild enough, the prognosis for speedy recovery very favorable indeed. But in more advanced cases, it is not always possible to eliminate the negative consequences caused by a lack of oxygen.

Hypoxia during pregnancy

This disease is especially dangerous during pregnancy. And sad as it may be, every year the number of women faced with this phenomenon is only increasing. But it should be borne in mind that hypoxia during pregnancy most often means no longer a full-fledged disease, but the course of processes due to which various pathological abnormalities occur in the body of the baby in the mother’s womb. This happens due to the fact that blood with oxygen does not reach the internal organs of the fetus in the required quantities. But it is worth remembering that mother and child are one whole, therefore, if the child suffers, then, accordingly, the mother also suffers.

Hypoxia during pregnancy is very warning sign, especially if it was diagnosed more than once over several trimesters. Therefore, to prevent this disease from developing into a chronic form, it is recommended not to hope that this is an accident, and not to attribute everything to an “interesting” situation and possible deviations from the norm, which usually occur in this case, but to consult a doctor as soon as possible at the observation location.

Types of fetal hypoxia

Oxygen starvation of the fetus can manifest itself in both acute and chronic forms. And, as practice shows, each case requires different predisposing factors. Thus, chronic hypoxia develops gradually and quite a long period time. It occurs most often due to placental insufficiency, when, due to the presence bad habits, serious chronic diseases (asthma), the placenta does not perform its functions fully.

Most often, chronic hypoxia manifests itself in the second trimester of pregnancy.

Acute oxygen starvation of the fetus, unlike chronic, occurs unexpectedly and, as a rule, occurs during the 2nd stage of labor. The main reasons leading to this condition are: placental abruption and the appearance of nodules on the umbilical cord.

Of the symptoms indicating imminent arrival hypoxia, we can distinguish:

Rapid heartbeat on early and slow - on later ones.
Fetal immobility.
Weak kicks of the baby in the later stages.
Changes in the skin of a newborn baby from natural to green or blue.

Diagnosis of fetal hypoxia

As a rule, during regular gynecological examinations, every expectant mother is recommended to remember not only the day when the baby first moves, but also to carefully monitor them (the movements) in the future. This is necessary, first of all, in order to record and subsequently prevent the development of serious pathologies.

Attention! The norm is considered to be the presence of up to 10 episodes of active movement of the child.

Also, at every scheduled gynecological examination, the expectant mother is listened to. abdominal wall through a special tube - an obstetrician's stethoscope. The purpose of this examination is to determine the baby's heart rate. Indicators of 110-160 beats per minute are considered normal. If other indicators are present, then this is considered an indication for additional examinations using a Doppler meter or cardiotocograph.

In addition, oxygen starvation can also be determined by visual inspection, since with this disease the volume of the abdomen is greatly reduced, and the baby himself, although he is on latest dates, but on ultrasound examination he looks unnaturally thin.

Hypoxia in newborns

Manifestations of this disease in newborns quite often cause irreversible disturbances in the functioning of life. important organs(lungs, kidneys, heart and central nervous system). Therefore, when identifying initial stage hypoxia in a baby, it is necessary to warm him up as soon as possible and give him artificial respiration. In more serious cases, it is necessary to clear the airways of mucus accumulated there. For this purpose, special solutions are injected there. It is also recommended to perform external cardiac massage.

As a rule, oxygen deprivation in newborns subsequently requires constant monitoring by a pediatrician at the place of residence.

Treatment of hypoxia in pregnant women

In most cases, women who have even the slightest hint of intrauterine hypoxia are gradually transferred to hospital treatment. There they are prescribed injections of drugs containing vitamins and substances that thin the blood. But, as a rule, such measures do not always achieve their goal, since oxygen starvation in a child will only go away when the factors that contributed to its occurrence are completely eliminated.

Therefore, preventive measures include:

A daily two-hour walk in the fresh air. If for certain reasons this becomes impossible, it is recommended to ventilate the room or install an air conditioner with an air ionization function. But remember that constantly sitting in a closed room, even with daily ventilation, is strictly not recommended.
Rejection of bad habits. Since this is not only a predisposing factor for the development of this disease, but also causes serious harm to the unborn baby.
Consume products containing a large number of gland. As a rule, these are pomegranate, beef liver, beans, herbs, and onions. In addition, drinks saturated with oxygen have proven themselves well - oxygen cocktails.
Avoid colds and infectious diseases.
If possible, avoid areas with large crowds of people.
Stick to a certain daily routine. Remember that to fully restore the body, you need up to 8 hours of continuous sleep.
Minimize the occurrence of stressful situations.

Important! Acute oxygen starvation in an unborn baby requires a cesarean section.

In medicine, cerebral hypoxia is a disease in which the human brain receives insufficient oxygen. Given pathological condition can have serious consequences, including coma and death. It should be said that very often the death of a person affected by such a disease is sudden. Symptoms and treatment of brain hypoxia in different patients directly depend on the causes that provoked the disease.

Causes of brain hypoxia

As already noted, the very first cause of brain hypoxia is the lack of oxygen supplying this vital organ. This pathology can be caused various conditions, for example, climbing to heights, working in mines, submarines, etc. In addition, lack of oxygen can be caused by other factors. The airways can often become clogged with foreign bodies or mucus. Brain hypoxia can also be caused by an acute lack of specific vitamins in the human body.

Other common causes of this disease include the following:

Inhalation of carbon monoxide (for example, during a fire);
Poisoning carbon monoxide;
Diseases that impair the functioning of the respiratory muscles (paralysis);
Strong pressure on the throat area (trachea).

Also, based on the reasons for brain hypoxia, this pathology can be classified as follows:

Disseminated hypoxia;
Central celebral ischemia;
Global celebral ischemia;
Ischemic stroke.

Disseminated cerebral hypoxia is triggered by an insufficient amount of oxygen in a person’s blood and is characterized by dysfunction from low to moderate levels of severity.

Central celebral ischemia is impaired blood circulation in a localized area, which may result from various diseases(for example, an aneurysm or blood clot, manifested by blockage of blood vessels). It is important to note that this condition is an addition to most clinical infarctions. Global ischemia is the complete cessation of blood supply to the brain.

Heavy ischemic stroke It can also be triggered by a lack of oxygen due to impaired blood circulation. Such an attack covers many parts of the organ.

Symptoms of brain hypoxia

Every 100 g of brain requires approximately 3.3 ml of oxygen every minute. When this amount is not provided, the first symptoms of brain hypoxia begin to appear. They usually involve some difficulty in performing mental tasks and impairment of a person’s short-term memory. In addition, at the initial stage of the disease, a state of increased excitability is often observed.

The patient may feel excessive energy and even euphoria, which is accompanied by loss of control over their own movements, unsteady gait, rapid pulse and impaired cognitive functions in general. In addition, the first stage of brain hypoxia is characterized by changes in human skin color. Most often she becomes pale with bluish tint, however, sometimes it can also take on a dark red color. Often a symptom of brain hypoxia at this stage is cold sweat.

The second stage of the disease is characterized by disruption of the functioning of the human nervous system. The patient usually has regular attacks nausea and dizziness, often accompanied by severe vomiting. Moreover, very often additional symptoms Brain hypoxia at the second stage is characterized by impaired clarity of vision, frequent darkening of the eyes, general weakness body and even fainting.

Severe cases of this disease are often accompanied by cerebral edema, which provokes serious disorders in its activity due to the loss of conditioned, and then unconditioned reflexes. If the amount of oxygen to the brain continues to remain below normal, the person’s skin becomes insensitive, and then all organs gradually cease to function normally, which often leads to a state of deep coma and fatal outcome.

Diagnosis and treatment of brain hypoxia

Effective treatment of brain hypoxia is possible only after the cause of the disease has been established. It is revealed based on medical history patient, and using diagnostics using various methods:

Blood tests;
An electrocardiogram, which helps measure the activity of the heart;
Electroencephalogram, which analyzes the functioning of brain cells;
Echocardiogram;
Computed tomography of the head;
Magnetic resonance imaging of the head;
Pulse oximetry, which helps to establish blood oxygen saturation (the indicator in a sick person is below 95%);
Capnography and other types of research of exhaled air gases.

As already mentioned, treatment of brain hypoxia is aimed primarily at eliminating the cause of the disease, therefore different cases the doctor prescribes various procedures. For example, when mild form Sometimes regular room ventilation or walks in the fresh air are enough, while serious conditions require serious medical procedures. Thus, we can distinguish separate methods of treating brain hypoxia depending on its specific type:

Exogenous hypoxia involves the use of oxygen equipment (oxygen masks, canisters, pillows);
Respiratory hypoxia requires the use of drugs that restore the functioning of the respiratory tract. Sometimes artificial ventilation is prescribed;
Hemic hypoxia is eliminated with blood transfusion and oxygen treatment;
Circulatory hypoxia of the brain involves the use of drugs with a cardiotropic effect aimed at improving microcirculation;
In case of tissue hypoxia, drugs are prescribed that restore the utilization of oxygen by tissues, and sometimes ventilation is used.

In addition, often when there is a lack of oxygen, doctors recommend taking vitamins and walking in the fresh air.

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Description:

Hypoxia is a condition that occurs when there is insufficient supply of oxygen to the body's tissues or a violation of its absorption by tissues. Hypoxia is observed very often and serves as the basis for various pathologies. processes. According to modern concepts, short-term hypoxia can occur without the presence of any pathological processes in the body that disrupt the transport of oxygen or its absorption by tissues. This may be in cases where the need for oxygen increases sharply due to emergency physical activity. activity (heavy physical work, overexertion in sports, etc.).

Hypoxia can be acute, even lightning fast (a few seconds), and chronic, lasting for months and years.

Causes of hypoxia:

The causes of hypoxia are very diverse. It can occur as a result of a lack of oxygen in the inhaled air, for example, when climbing to a height, when working in mines, wells, in a submarine, in diving suits, etc. Hypoxia can occur when the airways are blocked by a foreign body, mucus, or with bronchospasm , as well as for lung diseases (edema or inflammation), in which the respiratory surface of the lungs sharply decreases, and for other respiratory disorders. If the airways are blocked or due to other reasons causing sharp violation breathing, a serious condition may occur - .

Acute hypoxia occurs with severe blood loss, myocardial infarction and other serious conditions, as well as with carbon monoxide poisoning, which disrupts the ability of the blood to carry oxygen to the tissues.

Chronic hypoxia can develop with heart defects, cardiosclerosis, which is associated with weakness of cardiac activity and insufficient blood supply to tissues.

A special place is occupied by hypoxia caused by poisoning with certain chemicals, for example, cyanides. These substances suppress the respiratory enzymes of cells and tissues, which lose their ability to absorb oxygen. In this case, fulminant hypoxia may occur. Hypoxia can also be caused by a deficiency of certain vitamins.

Symptoms of hypoxia:

The nervous system is most sensitive to lack of oxygen. So, with a complete cessation of oxygen supply, signs serious violations in the cerebral cortex are detected after 2/2-3 minutes. During hypoxia, metabolism in the cells and tissues of the whole body changes dramatically. Disorders of cardiac activity can be expressed in increased heart rate, then a weakening of heart activity, the so-called thread-like pulse appears. In other cases, frequent heart contractions are suddenly replaced by a slow pulse, a sharp pallor of the face, cold sweat appears, legs and arms become cold, fainting. For some poisonings, for example. inhalation of high concentrations of methane gas, hydrocyanic vapors, a complete cessation of the functions of vital organs (heart, brain) occurs very quickly. After suffering acute hypoxia, the further state of the body is largely determined by the changes that have occurred in the cerebral cortex.

Chronic forms of hypoxia, which occur during prolonged circulatory and respiratory failure, and in some diseases, are manifested by increased fatigue, shortness of breath, palpitations with little physical exertion, and decreased ability to work.

To prevent hypoxia arising from a lack of oxygen in the inhaled air, special training is carried out that increases the possibility of getting used to hypoxia (for working in high altitude conditions, in indoors and so on.).

Treatment of hypoxia:

For treatment the following is prescribed:

In all cases of hypoxia caused by a lack of oxygen in the air, it is necessary to take the victim out into the fresh air as first aid, and if possible, allow him to inhale oxygen. If hypoxia has not gone too far, these measures lead to the elimination of all violations. If foreign bodies enter the respiratory tract, it is necessary to take all measures to eliminate them.

In case of carbon monoxide poisoning, first of all, you need to take the victim to fresh air and perform artificial respiration.

In all cases of signs of acute oxygen deficiency you need to seek medical help; It must be remembered that in these cases emergency medical care may be necessary. If assistance is provided to the victim in a timely manner, all disorders associated with hypoxia can be eliminated.

Causes of hypoxia:

various diseases of the body;
circulatory disorders;
respiratory muscle paralysis;
states of shock;
cardiac and vascular insufficiency, heart block;
asphyxia;
alcohol;
carbon monoxide poisoning;
postoperative complications;
long-term stay of a person in a polluted or stuffy room, at great depth or altitude.

Regarding the rate of development, hypoxia occurs:

Oxygen starvation is the cause of severe pathologies of the brain, heart, liver, and kidneys. Severe hypoxia can lead to coma or death. Therefore, it is so important to take care of your health and, in order to prevent or treat brain hypoxia, do not delay visiting a doctor.

Oxygen is a vital element for our body. It is involved in complex biochemical processes at the cellular level. Briefly, this process can be described as energy synthesis. And we need energy for everything: for the functioning of organs and systems (for example, heart function, contraction of intestinal walls), for our mental and physical activity.

With oxygen starvation, our body does not receive enough energy - this is chronic tissue hypoxia. The function of the affected organ is impaired. And especially severe cases tissues do not receive energy at all - due to poisoning, asphyxia.

It is not for nothing that experts call the brain a “critical organ” during hypoxia. After cessation of blood supply, the dynamics of brain dysfunction are as follows:

During acute oxygen deficiency, brain tissue can withstand only 4 seconds without disruption of activity.

With prompt, qualified assistance, the coma state can be reversible.

Signs of oxygen starvation depend on the type and causes of hypoxia. On early stage signs of hypoxia are subtle, but can have irreversible consequences.

Classification of types of oxygen starvation regarding causes:

Exogenous hypoxia. Occurs as a reaction to low oxygen content, at low pressure, in stuffy rooms, when rising to altitude.
Hemic hypoxia– a lack of oxygen in the blood, for example, with anemia.
Respiratory hypoxia. Occurs when the body’s ability to receive oxygen is impaired due to pathology of the respiratory system.
Circulatory hypoxia associated with CVS pathology.
Tissue hypoxia. Develops when oxygen is not absorbed by body tissues.
Overload hypoxia. It can occur as a result of intense physical activity, when the body's need for oxygen increases.
Mixed hypoxia– prolonged oxygen starvation of severe form for a combination of several reasons.

General signs of oxygen starvation.

When provided on time, adequate medical care, all body functions are restored.

They are quite varied and typical:

A sharp headache resulting from a pressure drop or lack of oxygen in the room.
A state of confusion and disorientation after sudden memory loss. Often the patient cannot understand where he is. Unable to remember where he was going. This condition does not last long. When it passes, the person calms down, attributing these symptoms to overwork or starvation.
A sharp transition from a state of excitement, euphoria, increased adrenaline to a state of lethargy and lethargy. There is rapid heartbeat, dizziness, cold sweat, and convulsions.
Involuntary and uncontrollable actions of the limbs, impaired skin sensitivity, lethargy, pain in the arms and legs.
Frequent mood changes, going to extremes, the desire to laugh and cry for no particular reason.
Sleep disturbances, insomnia, awakenings in the middle of the night.
Aggression, irritability, weakness against the background of general fatigue of the body. A person cannot concentrate on a specific job.
Speech and vision impairment.
Decreased mental abilities, difficulties with assimilation of new information.

By ignoring the symptoms of oxygen deprivation of the brain, you are putting your health at serious risk. Timely contact with specialists, early diagnosis And correct treatment will help prevent serious complications.

Hypoxia research methods:

Brain hypoxia is a serious pathological condition of the body, so treatment should be carried out at the first symptoms. Timely treatment will prevent negative consequences and avoid complications.

Treatment of oxygen starvation depends on the causes of the disease, by eliminating which positive dynamics can be achieved.

If signs of hypoxia appear before the doctor arrives, it is important to provide the patient with an influx of fresh air and, if necessary:

unbutton clothes;
remove water from the lungs;
ventilate a smoky or stuffy room;
take the patient out into fresh air;
do artificial respiration.

Doctors provide therapy, saturation of the body with oxygen, blood transfusions, and resuscitation measures.

Treatment methods depend on the causes and types of hypoxia. In some cases, it is enough to ventilate the room and walk in the fresh air.

Depending on the severity of the patient’s condition, treatment can take place in a hospital or at home. To normalize the patient's condition, medications and vitamins are prescribed.

Serious treatment will be required if the causes of oxygen starvation are problems of the heart, kidneys, blood, or lungs. That's why great value improves the functioning of the cardiovascular system, breathing, correction of the acid-base state of the blood, water-salt balance.

In case of exogenous hypoxia, oxygen equipment will be needed.
In case of respiratory hypoxia, one cannot do without bronchodilators, respiratory analeptics, and antihypoxants.
In some cases, artificial ventilation and oxygen concentrators are used.
Treatment of hemic hypoxia requires blood transfusion.
In the treatment of circulatory hypoxia, corrective operations on the heart and blood vessels are used.

Prolonged oxygen deprivation can cause cerebral edema, requiring the use of decongestants. In case of untimely resuscitation care, fulminant and acute hypoxia often lead to death. That's why it's so important preventive actions, early diagnosis and timely complex treatment hypoxia.

To prevent hypoxia, it is necessary to eliminate all causes that lead to a lack of oxygen.

Frequent walks in the fresh air - preferably outside the city or in the park.
If you have to stay indoors for a long time, frequently ventilate at any time of the year.
Periodic preventive examinations by specialists - for early detection of diseases and their timely treatment.
Sufficient physical activity.
Prevention of vitamin deficiencies: eating fresh fruits and vegetables all year round. If necessary, take vitamin and mineral complexes in courses.
Avoid smoking and drinking alcohol.

It all depends on the flow of the process. If this is chronic oxygen starvation, then usually the cause is heart or blood disease. Accordingly, the correction is carried out by a cardiologist or therapist. And if the brain suffers, a neurologist is involved in the treatment.

Acute or fulminant hypoxia, as well as severe chronic hypoxia, requires urgent resuscitation measures. Therefore, in these cases, you should immediately call an ambulance.

Pulse oximetry. The method is accessible and simple - just put a pulse oximeter on your finger. Blood oxygen saturation is determined within a few seconds. The norm is at least 95%.

Determination of acid-base balance (ABC) and blood gas composition.

Capnography, CO-metry– study of exhaled air gases.

Laboratory and instrumental methods studies can establish the fact of hypoxia, but to establish its causes, additional examination will be required, individual for each patient.

Treatment of oxygen starvation of the brain consists of etiotropic therapy (treatment of the cause). Thus, exogenous hypoxia requires the use of oxygen masks and pillows. To treat respiratory hypoxia, drugs that dilate the bronchi, analgesics, and antihypoxanes that improve oxygen utilization are used. In case of hemic (reduced oxygen in the blood), a blood transfusion is performed, histoxic or tissue, antidote drugs are prescribed, circulatory (heart attacks, strokes) - cardiotropic. If such therapy is not possible, actions are aimed at eliminating the symptoms: regulating vascular tone, normalizing blood circulation, prescribing medications for dizziness, headaches, blood thinners, restoratives, nootropic drugs and those that reduce bad cholesterol.

Metered aerosols are used as bronchodilators: Truvent, Atrovent, Berodual, Salbutamol.

Truvent is an aerosol can; when using, you need to remove the protective cap, shake it several times, lower the spray head down, take it with your lips and press the bottom, inhaling deeply and holding the breath for a few moments. One press corresponds to a portion. The effect occurs within 15-30 minutes. Every 4-6 hours the procedure is repeated, making 1-2 presses, this is how long the effect of the drug lasts. Not prescribed during pregnancy, angle-closure glaucoma, allergies. The use of the drug can reduce visual acuity and increase intraocular pressure.

Analgesics include a large list of drugs, from the well-known analgin to completely unfamiliar names, each of which has its own pharmachologic effect. The doctor will determine what is necessary in a particular situation. Here is a list of some of them: acamol, anopyrine, bupranal, pentalgin, cefekon, etc.

Bupranal - solution in ampoules for intramuscular and intravenous injections, in syringe tubes - for IM. The maximum daily dose is 2.4 mg. The frequency of administration is every 6-8 hours. Possible side effects such as nausea, weakness, lethargy, dry mouth. Contraindicated in children under 16 years of age, during pregnancy and breastfeeding, increased intracranial pressure, and alcoholism.

The list of antidote drugs includes atropine, diazepam (mushroom poisoning), aminophylline, glucose (carbon monoxide), magnesium sulfate, almagel (organic acids), unithiol, cuprenil (salts heavy metals), naloxone, flumazenil ( drug poisoning) etc.

Naloxone is available in ampoules; there is a special form for newborns. The recommended dose is 0.4-0.8 mg, sometimes it is necessary to increase it to 15 mg. At hypersensitivity an allergy occurs to the drug; in drug addicts, taking the drug causes a specific attack.

For strokes, Cerebrolysin, Actovegin, encephabol, papaverine, and no-spa are used.

Actovegin - exists in various forms: pills, solutions for injections and infusions, gels, ointments, creams. Doses and method of administration are prescribed by the doctor depending on the severity of the disease. Burn wounds and bedsores are treated with external remedies. The use of the drug may cause hives, fever, and sweating. It has contraindications for pregnant women, during breastfeeding, and allergies.

A number of vitamins during tissue oxygen starvation are antidotes to toxic substances. Thus, vitamin K1 blocks the effect of warfarin - an antithrombosis agent, vitamin B6 - poisoning with anti-tuberculosis drugs, vitamin C is used for damage by carbon monoxide, anilines used in dyes, medicines, and chemicals. To maintain the body, it is also necessary to saturate it with vitamins.

For general or local hypoxia of various natures, a method of physiotherapeutic treatment such as oxygen therapy is used. The most common indications for its use are respiratory failure, circulatory disorders, and cardiovascular diseases. There are various methods of oxygen saturation: cocktails, inhalations, baths, cutaneous, subcutaneous, intraband methods, etc. Oxygen barotherapy - breathing compressed oxygen in a pressure chamber relieves hypoxia. Depending on the diagnosis that led to hypoxia, UHF, magnetic therapy, laser therapy, massage, acupuncture, etc. are used.

One of the recipes traditional treatment is a breathing exercise following technique. Inhale air slowly and deeply, hold for a few seconds and exhale slowly. Do this several times in a row, increasing the duration of the procedure. Bring the count to 4 while inhaling, to 7 while holding your breath, and to 8 while exhaling.

Helps strengthen blood vessels and reduce their spasms garlic tincture: Fill a third of the jar with chopped garlic, fill it to the brim with water. After 2 weeks of infusion, start taking 5 drops per spoon of water before meals.

A prepared mixture of buckwheat, honey and walnuts, taken in equal proportions: grind cereals and nuts to flour, add honey, mix. Take a tablespoon on an empty stomach half an hour before meals. Fresh beet juice is also effective; it must be allowed to stand for some time before drinking so that the volatile substances are released.

Ginger will help cope with asthma attacks. Combine its juice with honey and pomegranate juice and drink a spoonful 3 times a day.

It is effective to take decoctions, infusions, and herbal teas that have an antispasmodic effect during oxygen deprivation: chamomile, valerian, St. John's wort, motherwort, hawthorn. For problems with the respiratory system, take decoctions of medicinal mixtures from coltsfoot, pine buds, plantain, licorice root, and elderberry flowers. Hemoglobin levels can be raised with the help of herbs such as nettle, yarrow, dandelion, and wormwood.

In combination with the main treatment, they are increasingly present homeopathic remedies. Here are some of the remedies that can be prescribed for oxygen starvation and are aimed at the causes of its occurrence.

Accardium - granules containing metallic gold, arnica montana, anamyrtha coculus-like. Aimed at the treatment of angina pectoris, cardiovascular failures caused by severe physical activity. Twice a day, 10 granules half an hour before meals or an hour after, keep under the tongue until completely absorbed. Average rate treatment lasts 3 weeks. The drug has no contraindications or side effects. For use during pregnancy and children, consultation with a doctor is required.
Atma® - drops, a complex drug for the treatment of bronchial asthma. Dose for children under one year of age: 1 drop per teaspoon of water or milk. For children under 12 years of age, 2 to 7 drops per tablespoon. After 12 years - 10 drops per pure form or on the water. Continue treatment for up to 3 months. Side effects were not observed.
Vertigoheel - oral drops, used for dizziness, cerebral atherosclerosis, strokes. The drops are dissolved in water and, when swallowed, remain in the mouth for some time. Recommended from a child's age onwards. Up to 3 years - 3 drops, at the age of 3-6 years - 5, for the rest - 10 drops 3-4 times a day for a month. Hypersensitivity reactions are possible. Contraindicated for children under one year of age, during pregnancy and breastfeeding - with the permission of a doctor.
Hawthorn compositum is a homeopathic cardiac remedy, liquid. Adults are prescribed 15-20 drops three times a day, children - 5-7 drops. The drug has contraindications in case of allergy to the components.
Aesculus-compositum - drops, used for post-embolic circulatory disorders, post-infarction and post-stroke conditions. Single dose - 10 drops in water, holding in mouth. Frequency - 3 times a day. Duration of treatment is up to 6 weeks. Side effects unknown. Contraindicated in pregnant women and those hypersensitive to the components of the drug.

Surgical treatment of the heart or blood vessels may be necessary in the case of a circulatory form of oxygen starvation, the development of which occurs rapidly and is associated with disturbances in their functions.

Oxygen starvation, or hypoxia, is a condition of the body in which the normal supply of oxygen to the brain is disrupted. Hypoxia affects its outer part. But, as a rule, this term is also used to refer to the lack of oxygen in the entire brain. Based on the latest statistical studies, the highest prevalence of this disease was identified among residents of megacities and employees of enterprises who work in rooms where there is no normal air ventilation.

Inhalation of carbon monoxide.
Carbon monoxide poisoning.
Greater height.
Suffocation.

Predisposing factors that provoke oxygen starvation of the brain include:

Inhalation of carbon monoxide.
Diseases that interfere with the normal functioning of the respiratory muscles.
Carbon monoxide poisoning.
Greater height.
Suffocation.

There are several types of this disease:

Hypoxic. This variety is quite often diagnosed in people who climb to great heights. As a rule, this manifests itself in the following way: the higher the altitude, the greater the lack of oxygen becomes.
Hemic. Characterized by a decrease in oxygen capacity in the blood.
Respiratory. A characteristic feature of this disease is the presence of pathological processes, which negatively affects the entire respiratory system.
Circulatory. It appears in case of lack of blood circulation.
Fabric. The cause of its occurrence is considered to be a decrease in the activity of respiratory enzymes.
Mixed. As the name suggests, it manifests itself as a combination of different types of this disease.
Myocardial. Manifested by a lack of oxygen in the heart muscle. The danger of this type of hypoxia lies in the high probability of developing a serious complication in the future - ischemia.

According to the period of occurrence they distinguish:

Lightning fast, which develops in a split second and lasts a maximum of 3-5 minutes.
Spicy. It usually appears after a heart attack or with a large loss of blood, which are predisposing factors for reducing the ability of the blood to supply oxygen to the tissues.
Chronic. Most often diagnosed with heart disease, cardiosclerosis or heart failure.

Important! Evidence of the onset of hypoxia can also be changes in the upper skin of a person and the appearance of cold sweat.

If oxygen starvation continues for a significant period of time, then its characteristic features are severe vomiting and dizziness. In addition, the clarity of vision is significantly impaired, and periodic darkening of the eyes is observed. Cases of loss of consciousness are common.

Advanced cases are characterized by the appearance of cerebral edema. In the future, serious deviations in brain function may occur with further loss of conditioned and then unconditioned reflexes.

Attention! Medical practice includes several dozen cases where, as a result of prolonged hypoxia, the patient fell into a deep coma.

It should be remembered that oxygen starvation of the brain can be caused by other factors. For example, constant stress, lack of sleep, excessive smoking or excessive drinking of alcoholic beverages.

But, as practice shows, the symptoms of this disease rarely occur alone, but rather complement each other.

Diagnosis of this disease, in addition to a general examination by the attending physician, also involves conducting specific laboratory and instrumental tests.

Using a pulse oximeter. Today, this method is not only the most accessible to determine whether oxygen starvation of the brain is present or absent, but is also easy to use. To do this, just put a special device on the patient’s finger - a pulse oximeter - and literally in a couple of minutes you will know how saturated the blood is with oxygen. At the moment, the optimal level should not exceed 95%.

Study of gases contained in exhaled air (CO-metry and capnography are used).

It is no secret that people turn to medical institutions only when it becomes unbearable to endure. But if this approach is still justified for a mild cold, then for manifestations of hypoxia it can have very serious consequences. These include:

bronchial asthma;
serious metabolic disorders;
stroke;
deep coma

Treatment of this disease consists of using an integrated approach, which consists of regularly performing prescribed procedures. The first step is to tell your doctor the reason that led to this condition. This could be chronic fatigue, stress or a poorly ventilated room.

Preparations of herbal origin, the action of which is aimed at accelerating blood circulation in the patient’s body and stabilizing his general well-being.
Hyperbaric oxygenation. The essence of this treatment method is that the patient is placed in a special chamber where the body is exposed to oxygen under high pressure.
Vitamins that restore brain tissue.

Treatment of respiratory hypoxia consists of prescribing drugs that dilate the bronchi, respiratory analeptics or antihypoxanes. In special cases, oxygen concentrators or artificial ventilation are used.

It should be remembered that if you consult a doctor in a timely manner and in the presence of fairly mild symptoms, the prognosis for a speedy recovery is very favorable. But in more advanced cases, it is not always possible to eliminate the negative consequences caused by a lack of oxygen.

Hypoxia during pregnancy is a very alarming sign, especially if it was diagnosed more than once over several trimesters. Therefore, to prevent this disease from developing into a chronic form, it is recommended not to hope that this is an accident, and not to attribute everything to an “interesting” situation and possible deviations from the norm, which usually occur in this case, but to consult a doctor as soon as possible at the observation location.

Oxygen starvation of the fetus can manifest itself in both acute and chronic forms. And, as practice shows, each case requires different predisposing factors. Thus, chronic hypoxia develops gradually and over a fairly long period of time. It most often occurs due to placental insufficiency, when, due to the presence of bad habits, serious chronic diseases (asthma), the placenta does not fully perform its functions.

Most often, chronic hypoxia manifests itself in the second trimester of pregnancy.

Symptoms indicating the imminent onset of hypoxia include:

Rapid heartbeat in the early stages and slow heart rate in later stages.
Fetal immobility.
Weak kicks of the baby in the later stages.
Changes in the skin of a newborn baby from natural to green or blue.

Attention! The norm is considered to be the presence of up to 10 episodes of active movement of the child.

Also, at each routine gynecological examination, the expectant mother's abdominal wall is listened to through a special tube - an obstetrician's stethoscope. The purpose of this examination is to determine the baby's heart rate. Indicators of 110-160 beats per minute are considered normal. If other indicators are present, then this is considered an indication for additional examinations using a Doppler meter or cardiotocograph.

In addition, oxygen starvation can also be determined by visual examination, since with this disease the volume of the abdomen is greatly reduced, and the baby himself, although in his final stages, looks unnaturally thin during an ultrasound examination.

Manifestations of this disease in newborns quite often cause irreversible disturbances in the functioning of vital organs (lungs, kidneys, heart and central nervous system). Therefore, when the initial stage of hypoxia is detected in a baby, it is necessary to warm him up as soon as possible and give him artificial respiration. In more serious cases, it is necessary to clear the airways of mucus accumulated there. For this purpose, special solutions are injected there. It is also recommended to perform external cardiac massage.

As a rule, oxygen deprivation in newborns subsequently requires constant monitoring by a pediatrician at the place of residence.

Therefore, preventive measures include:

A daily two-hour walk in the fresh air. If for certain reasons this becomes impossible, it is recommended to ventilate the room or install an air conditioner with an air ionization function. But remember that constantly sitting in a closed room, even with daily ventilation, is strictly not recommended.
Rejection of bad habits. Since this is not only a predisposing factor for the development of this disease, but also causes serious harm to the unborn baby.
Consume foods containing large amounts of iron. As a rule, these are pomegranate, beef liver, beans, herbs, and onions. In addition, drinks saturated with oxygen - oxygen cocktails - have proven themselves well.
Avoid colds and infectious diseases.
If possible, avoid areas with large crowds of people.
Stick to a certain daily routine. Remember that to fully restore the body, you need up to 8 hours of continuous sleep.
Minimize the occurrence of stressful situations.

Important! Acute oxygen starvation in an unborn baby requires a cesarean section.

When there is insufficient oxygen supply to the brain, hypoxia develops. Tissue starvation occurs due to a lack of oxygen in the blood, a violation of its utilization by peripheral tissues, or after the cessation of blood flow to the brain. The disease leads to irreversible changes in brain cells, disruption of the central nervous system and other serious consequences.

On initial stages dysfunction of the brain microcirculation, changes in the condition of the walls of blood vessels, neurocytes, and degeneration of areas of brain tissue are observed. Subsequently, the cells soften or gradually recover with timely treatment.

The main causes of acute cerebral hypoxia:

acute heart failure;
asphyxia;
transverse heart block;
traumatic brain injuries;
atherosclerosis;
previous heart surgery;
carbon monoxide poisoning;
thromboembolism of cerebral vessels;
ischemic disease;
stroke;
diseases respiratory system;
anemia.

Chronic hypoxia develops when working in unfavorable conditions or living in mountainous areas where the air is thin. The gradual deposition of atherosclerotic plaques on the walls of blood vessels leads to a decrease in the lumen of the arteries and a slowdown in blood flow. If a complete blockage of the vessel occurs, the brain tissue dies and a heart attack develops, which can cause severe complications and death.

Signs of oxygen starvation vary depending on the form of the pathology. In acute hypoxia, patients experience motor and psychoemotional agitation, increased heart rate and breathing, and pale skin, sweating increases, midges “flash” before the eyes. Gradually the condition changes, the patient calms down, becomes lethargic, sleepy, his eyes darken, and tinnitus appears.

At the next stage, the person loses consciousness, and there may be clonic seizures, chaotic muscle contractions. Movement disorders accompanied spastic paralysis, an increase and then a decrease in muscle reflexes. The attack develops very quickly, coma may occur within 1–2 minutes, so the patient needs urgent medical attention.

Brain hypoxia chronic form proceeds slowly. Characterized by constant fatigue, dizziness, apathy, depressive state. Hearing and vision often deteriorate and performance decreases.

Depression is characteristic of brain hypoxia

Neurological signs of hypoxia in adults:

With diffuse organic damage to the brain, posthypoxic encephalopathy develops, accompanied by visual, speech disorders, impaired coordination of movements, tremors of the limbs, twitching eyeballs, muscle hypotonia.
With partial impairment of consciousness, the symptoms of hypoxia manifest themselves as lethargy, numbness, and stupor. A person is in a depressed state, from which he can be brought out with persistent treatment. Patients retain protective reflexes.
Asthenic condition: increased fatigue, exhaustion, deterioration intellectual abilities, motor restlessness, low performance.

Brain hypoxia can be fulminant, acute or chronic. IN acute stage signs of oxygen deficiency develop rapidly, and chronic illness proceeds, gradually progressing, with less pronounced signs of malaise.

Acute hypoxia is accompanied by cerebral edema, dystrophic change neurons. Even after normalization of oxygen delivery to brain cells, degenerative processes persist and progress, leading to the formation of softened lesions. Chronic hypoxia of brain tissue does not cause pronounced changes in nerve cells, therefore, when the causes of the pathology are eliminated, patients are completely restored.

Depending on the reasons that caused oxygen starvation, brain hypoxia is classified:

The exogenous form of the disease develops when there is a lack of oxygen in the air.
Respiratory hypoxia of brain tissue occurs when the functioning of the upper respiratory tract is disrupted (asthma, pneumonia, tumors), drug overdose, mechanical injuries chest.
Hemic hypoxia of the brain is diagnosed when the transport of oxygen by blood cells is impaired. Pathology develops with a lack of hemoglobin and red blood cells.
Circulatory develops when the blood circulation in the brain is impaired due to heart failure, thromboembolism, or atherosclerosis.
Tissue hypoxia is caused by a disruption in the process of oxygen utilization by cells. This can be caused by blockade of enzyme systems, poisoning with poisons, and medications.

When oxygen supply is stopped, brain tissue can survive for 4 seconds, after 8–10 seconds the person loses consciousness, after another half a minute the activity of the cerebral cortex disappears and the patient falls into a coma. If blood circulation is not restored within 4-5 minutes, the tissues die.

Symptoms of acute oxygen starvation of the brain, that is, coma:

Subcortical coma causes inhibition of the cerebral cortex and subcortical formations. The patient is disoriented in space and time, reacts poorly to speech, external stimuli, does not control urination and defecation, he has increased muscle tone, depressed reflexes, and an increased heart rate. Breathing is spontaneous, the reaction of the pupils to light is preserved.
Hyperactive coma causes dysfunction of the anterior parts of the brain; symptoms are manifested by convulsions, lack of speech, reflexes, hyperthermia, surges in blood pressure, respiratory depression, and weak pupillary response to light.
In a “sluggish coma” it affects medulla. Reactions to external stimuli completely disappear, reflexes are absent, muscle tone is reduced, breathing is shallow, blood pressure drops, the pupils are dilated and do not respond to light, and convulsions occur periodically.
Terminal coma is a complete cessation of brain function. A person cannot breathe on his own, blood pressure and body temperature drop sharply, there are no reflexes, and muscle atony is observed. The patient is on artificial support of vital processes.

Prolonged oxygen starvation of the brain, stage 4 coma has a high risk of death, death occurs in more than 90% of cases.

With low oxygen pressure in the air, hypoxic hypoxia develops. The cause of the pathology is:

breathing in confined spaces: tanks, submarines, bunkers;
during rapid ascent on aircraft;
during a long climb or stay in the mountains.

Lack of oxygen in the air leads to a decrease in its concentration in the alveoli of the lungs, blood and peripheral tissues. As a result, the level of hemoglobin decreases, chemoreceptors are irritated, the excitability of the respiratory center increases, hyperventilation and alkalosis develop.

Violated water-salt balance, vascular tone decreases, blood circulation in the heart, brain and other vital organs worsens.

Symptoms of hypoxic hypoxia:

Increased energy, faster movements and speech.
Tachycardia and shortness of breath on exertion.
Impaired coordination of movements.
Rapid breathing, shortness of breath at rest.
Decreased performance.
Deterioration of short-term memory.
Lethargy, drowsiness;
Paresis, paresthesia.

At the last stage, brain hypoxia is characterized by loss of consciousness, the appearance of convulsions, muscle rigidity, and involuntary urination, defecation, coma ensues. When rising to an altitude of 9–11 km above sea level, cardiac activity is sharply disrupted, breathing is depressed and then completely disappears, coma and clinical death occur.

One of the signs of hypoxia may be fainting

Therapy methods

If a patient is diagnosed with acute brain hypoxia, it is important for the attending physician to ensure the maintenance of the cardiovascular and respiratory systems, normalize metabolic processes, and prevent acidosis, which worsens the condition of brain tissue.

How to treat hypoxia in case of violation cerebral circulation? Patients are prescribed vasodilators, anticoagulants, blood thinners. Medicines are selected taking into account the causes of the development of pathology.

The following methods are also used to treat hypoxia:

craniocerebral hypothermia;
hyperbaric oxygenation;
extracorporeal circulation.

This is how hyperbaric oxygen therapy is performed

Neuroprotectors, nootropic drugs and antihypoxants protect nerve cells and contribute to their recovery. Decongestants are used for cerebral edema. Treatment of the consequences of hypoxia is carried out with narcotic drugs and antipsychotics.

If cerebral hypoxia has led to coma, the patient is connected to a ventilator and drugs that increase arterial pressure, normalizing heartbeat and circulating blood volume. Symptomatic treatment is also used to eliminate the causes of oxygen deficiency.

Acute or chronic cerebral hypoxia occurs when oxygen supply to brain structures is disrupted. The disease can lead to irreversible changes in organ cells, nerve trunks, severe disability and death of the patient. With timely assistance, it is possible to minimize pathological process and restore brain function.