Home Prevention Hypoxia - what it is, symptoms and signs, degrees and consequences. Oxygen starvation of the brain Hypoxia of the cerebral cortex

Prevention

Hypoxia - what it is, symptoms and signs, degrees and consequences. Oxygen starvation of the brain Hypoxia of the cerebral cortex

Brain hypoxia (CHH) is an abnormal process occurring in the brain structures, in which each cell experiences a lack of oxygen.

Oxygen is necessary for the normal functioning of all vital important functions brain and body systems.

Oxygen deficiency affects the brain center of the “critical organ”, where the tissues of the cerebral cortex are primarily affected. The result is a hypoxic crisis.

About 20% of the total blood volume passes through the vessels and arteries of the brain in one minute, which is definitely a very high figure.

If all functions work normally, then acute hypoxia of the brain, affecting cells for 3-4 seconds, will not cause global changes.

However, lack of oxygen in the head for 10 seconds can lead to loss of sanity and fainting. And after 30 seconds, the cerebral cortex will become inactive, which is dangerous for a person due to the onset of coma.

The time of death of brain cells occurs when oxygen deprivation of the brain continues for 5 minutes. If resuscitation is not carried out during this time and the lack of oxygen is not restored, the process will become irreversible.

Hypoxic syndrome cannot be treated independently at home. What to treat and how to deal with hypoxia is decided by the attending physician after a detailed examination of the body.

Drugs for the treatment of cerebral hypoxia are classified by ICD-10 code. For example, tablets for oxygen deprivation - Antistax, Riboxin, Cognum, taking nimodipine, etc.

In some cases, the doctor may prescribe a course intravenous injections or undergoing procedural therapy.

How to treat and what medications to use depends primarily on the age of the patient. Treatment of hypoxia in children, adults and the elderly varies and is selected strictly individually.

When selecting therapy, all factors are considered - the causes of lack of oxygen in the brain, symptoms, and the type of pathology identified in the patient.

Hypoxic syndrome can be episodic in nature, or it can have a specific diagnosis and severity, for example: chronic cerebral hypoxia of the 2nd degree.

At hypersensitivity brain to hypoxia, the condition is often accompanied by coma.

Symptoms of lack of oxygen

If every 100 g of brain does not receive about 3.3 ml of oxygen every minute, then cerebral vascular hypoxia occurs.
With the rapid development of hypoxic syndrome, it is impossible to track the processes. In this case, urgent assistance is important to avoid coma or death.
But if the pathology has a time period of development, then the signs have time to appear. The manifestation of symptoms of oxygen starvation in adults is standard:

most early sign- microcirculatory disorder;
then increased excitement, uncontrolled behavior in a state of euphoria appears, followed by lethargy or a feeling of depression;
the appearance of sharp, pressing headaches;
disorder of the cardiovascular system - angina pectoris, decreased tone, pressure and temperature, cardiac arrhythmia or tachycardia;
appearance of paleness, bluishness or redness of the skin;
inhibition of central nervous system functions, dizziness, nausea, uncontrollable vomiting, ripples or darkening in the eyes, blurred vision;
state of stupor, enuresis, uncontrolled bowel movements, possible loss of consciousness;
With perinatal damage to brain structures, brain swelling occurs and skin sensitivity disappears.

The severe form is characterized by early detection of hypoxia of brain neurons. With this lesion, the pathology can have varying degrees of severity, sometimes the processes are irreversible.

Signs of brain hypoxia in an embryo, newborn infants, or a child of the first year of life are somewhat different.

How do symptoms appear in children:

tachycardia followed by bradycardia is often observed;
the appearance of arrhythmia and heart murmurs;
the appearance of meconium (original feces) in the amniotic fluid;
increase and sharp decrease in the frequency of intrauterine movements;
the child may experience the formation of thrombosis and small tissue hemorrhages.

If the baby's brain long time If there is not enough oxygen, carbon dioxide accumulates in the blood. Irritation of the respiratory centers occurs, causing the fetus to try to carry out breathing movements.

In this case, penetration of foreign bodies (mucus, blood or amniotic fluid) into the respiratory organs occurs. Even the first breath can cause pneumothorax, which is a direct threat to the child’s life.

Types of hypoxia

Depending on the speed of progress and the increase in symptoms, hypoxia can be acute, subacute or chronic.

According to the level of oxygen deficiency, hypoxic syndrome is divided into several types: mild, moderate, severe and critical.

Depending on the cause and mechanisms of development, oxygen starvation is classified into types, which are determined by the location of the pathology.

For example, endogenous or mixed hypoxia occurs due to dysfunction various systems or organs, as well as the influence of certain factors on the body.

Let's take a closer look at the main types of hypoxia.

Tissue (histotoxic)

This type occurs when the activity of respiratory enzymes in the mitochondria of tissue cells decreases.

Impaired utilization of oxygen molecules by tissue cells causes hypoxia. The cause may be some poisons or heavy metal salts.

Circulatory (cardiovascular)

Occurs when there are disturbances in hemodynamics or general circulation in the arteries and vessels of the brain.
Cardiovascular failure, shock or stress conditions, vasculitis, heart disease, myocardial infarction, vascular damage due to diabetes are the main causes of circulatory hypoxia.
Secondary factors include the formation of thrombosis, embolism, and atherosclerotic plaques on the walls of blood vessels that impede blood flow.

Exogenous (hypoxic)

Occurs when oxygen levels decrease in environment. For example, thin air on a high mountain plateau or when paragliding.

Under normal conditions atmospheric pressure Oxygen deficiency can be caused by the following factors:

severe gas pollution;
air pollution with dispersed particles, for example, in mines during mining;
in submarines;
just in a stuffy room with poor ventilation.

Hemic (blood)

It is observed against the background of a decrease in the oxygen capacity of the blood. Main factors:

disruption of oxygen transport by cells;
lack of red blood cells;
a sharp decrease in hemoglobin levels;
disruption of the process of combining hemoglobin with oxygen molecules.

More often occurs with hemolysis of red blood cells, carbon monoxide poisoning or anemia.

Respiratory (breathing)

Occurs when the functions of the respiratory organs are destabilized. Eg:

for pneumonia (pneumonia);
bronchial asthma;
germination of a malignant tumor in the bronchopulmonary system;
inflammation of the adenoids or tonsils.

Timely surgery to remove the tumor or tonsils can quickly eliminate the problem.

Respiratory hypoxia can be caused by drug overdose, pathology of the spinal cord and brain.

Ischemic stroke

Ischemic cerebral stroke is an acute oxygen deprivation that occurs as a result of impaired blood supply in the arteries of the brain.
It usually lasts more than a day and goes away in combination with pronounced neurological signs. This condition threatens to soften the brain tissue in the affected area, which leads to a heart attack.

Central and global cerebral ischemia

This pathology occurs due to a violation of the blood supply at a specific location.

Cerebral hypoxia also manifests itself as a result of the development of various diseases. For example, an aneurysm, blood clot formation, blockage of blood vessels.

The clinical picture of the condition complements the picture of the occurrence of heart attacks. Global ischemia is a complete cessation of blood supply to the brain.

Absent-minded

This functional impairment is classified as mild to moderate degree gravity. Occurs when there is a low level of oxygen in the bloodstream.

Acute

Acute hypoxia is observed in connection with poisoning, severe heart disease, and bleeding.

But a similar condition can also be caused by asphyxia, cardiac arrest or hypovolemic shock.

Lightning fast

It develops over several minutes or even seconds, during which hemorrhage occurs in the respiratory center. Occurs when respiratory processes are completely blocked.

Chronic brain hypoxia

Associated with heart disease (failure, defects, cardiosclerotic changes, etc.), but the development of pathology lasts for a long time.

Main symptoms:

increased fatigue;
constant shortness of breath;
headaches, dizziness, nausea;
state of irritation or agitation;
cognitive disorders;
loss of appetite.

If a patient experiences negative processes for a long time and does not undergo treatment, hypoxic encephalopathy may develop.
This condition usually ends in serious mental disorders. Without proper therapy, death occurs.

Why are post-hypoxic changes dangerous?

The danger of hypoxia lies in pathological changes that have a direct impact on the activity and vital functions of the main functions of the brain.

The diagnosis depends on the severity of brain damage and the duration of oxygen starvation. A short-term coma gives a high chance of rehabilitation.

Prolongation of the vegetative state may preserve basic functions but lead to serious impairment.

What does severe hypoxia lead to:

to loss of sensitivity to external stimuli;
loss of appetite and malnutrition;
the formation of thrombosis;
the appearance of bedsores;
Lung infections are common.

Posthypoxic syndrome in adults is characterized by difficulties in restoring even minimal vital functions. For example, restoration of speech or motor activity.
Prolonged hypoxia creates a direct threat to human life.

Is the GM restored after pathology?

Brain cells do not recover after oxygen starvation. However, with properly selected therapy, a fairly stable remission can be achieved.

If proper conditions are provided, there is a chance to normalize daily life functions.

The fact is that brain tissue has the ability to take over the functions of neighboring cells. This gives chances for productive rehabilitation. But in any case, recovery from hypoxia occurs partially.
To get rid of oxygen starvation, specialized treatment is necessary from the first manifestation of symptoms of the pathology.
Any disturbances at the cellular level are considered critical, since such processes threaten serious, often irreversible consequences.

Causes of oxygen starvation

The causes of hypoxia can be external (mechanical) or internal, provoked by dysfunction of organs and systems, as well as pathological processes.

Oxygen deficiency is caused by intoxication with substances that inhibit the stimulation of hemoglobin.

Also Negative influence produces radiation exposure or toxins released during tissue decay processes.

For example, due to severe exhaustion of the body due to prolonged fasting or a dangerous infection.
Global blood loss, stress, excessive physical overload, alcohol, drug or smoking abuse are factors that can cause oxygen starvation.
Let us dwell in more detail on the main causes of hypoxia.

Carbon monoxide poisoning and inhalation

Carbon monoxide is a blood poison of general toxicity, a colorless, odorless substance that can penetrate any obstacles.

A concentration of carbon monoxide in the air greater than 1.2% causes death in less than three minutes.

What does carbon monoxide poisoning lead to:

when inhaled, the transport of oxygen to organs and tissues is blocked, resulting in oxygen deficiency;
the functions of the heart muscle are similarly impaired.

Causes of poisoning:

inhalation of exhaust gases from vehicles, prolonged stay in a closed garage or a car with the engine running;
household poisoning - malfunction of heating appliances (fireplaces, stoves, pipes), leakage of propane gas, soot from kerosene lamps, etc.;
inhalation during fire.

The outcome of poisoning directly depends on the concentration of carbon monoxide, the patient’s condition, physical activity at the moment of inhalation, but most importantly - on the duration of oxygen starvation.

Strong pressure on the throat area

Hypoxia can occur both due to mechanical impact on the trachea and due to the development of internal pathologies.

Factors causing oxygen deficiency:

asphyxia (suffocation);
swelling of the mucous membrane of the respiratory tract;
allergic reaction to food, chemical substances, odors, blooms or medications, accompanied by Quincke's edema;
inflammatory processes in the larynx, for example, inflammation of the tonsils or adenoids.

Diseases that impair the functioning of the respiratory muscles

Dysfunction spinal cord leads to paralysis of the respiratory muscles. In this condition, brain cells are incapable of maintaining and regulating gas exchange processes in the lungs.

The following pathologies contribute to the development of paralysis of the respiratory muscles:

damage to peripheral nerve processes or endings;
destruction of muscle tissue;
autoimmune processes;
drug poisoning.

Genetic dysfunctions associated with muscular dystrophy lead to the death of cells and fibers. It is difficult for a patient with this pathology to breathe, which quite often causes death even in young people.

What causes the effects on a newborn and the child’s body?

Brain hypoxia in newborns, premature infants and children of the first year of life manifests itself in the prenatal period or directly during childbirth.
Main reasons:

chronic pathologies of the pregnant woman, for example, diseases of the cardiovascular system, diabetes mellitus, intracranial pressure and others;
diseases of the mother during pregnancy - intoxication, entanglement of the fetus with the umbilical cord, detachment of placental tissue;
disorders in the fetal body - heart defects, developmental abnormalities, viral pathogens, genetic defects, intracranial injuries;
Rh conflict between mother and fetus;
birth injuries, swelling of the respiratory center, asphyxia by amniotic fluid.

The consequences in children depend on the degree of damage to the newborn’s brain cells and the presence of irreversible processes in the nervous system.

Mild hypoxia can lead to the development of perinatal encephalopathy. A favorable prognosis gives a chance to maintain basic functions.

In this case, hyperactive behavior, restlessness, decreased concentration, and speech impairment may subsequently occur.

Chronic cerebral hypoxia, which lasts for a long time, has severe complications or mental disorders.

For example, dementia, Korsakoff's syndrome, delirium, memory loss, epilepsy, cerebral palsy and others.

With cerebral edema, in most cases, either stillbirth occurs, or the baby faces severe disability or death in the first stages of life.

Why does the adult brain lack oxygen?

Brain hypoxia is not an independent isolated disease. This is a condition that occurs due to obstruction of oxygen supply or disruption of the output of carbon monoxide.

The causes of oxygen deficiency are varied. These may be negative circumstances or specific pathologies.

The main factors for the occurrence of hypoxia in adults:

atherosclerotic vascular disorders, anemia;
complications after surgery;
stressful conditions accompanied by jumps blood pressure;
a stroke can provoke hypoxia in one or both hemispheres;
illness or cardiac arrest;
cervical osteochondrosis, in which the arteries are compressed, blood circulation is disrupted due to the neck and the outflow of blood is hampered;
CNS diseases.

Even episodic cases of hypoxia require careful consideration and a detailed examination of the body.

Correct treatment begins with diagnosis

What to do or what to take when symptoms of brain hypoxia appear should be decided by a doctor of the appropriate profile.

The initial goal is to identify the cause of the disease. When the first signs of hypoxia appear, you should visit a therapist.

Before prescribing a medicine for oxygen starvation, the doctor refers the patient for a consultation with specialists - a vertebroneurologist, neurosurgeon, otolaryngologist, psychotherapist and others.

After examination and drawing up a primary medical history, the patient is prescribed tests, as well as a hardware examination.

Based on the results of the conclusion, the doctor prescribes medications for hypoxia and auxiliary procedures.

In case of chronic or subacute hypoxia, the patient can be hospitalized in a clinic or left for outpatient treatment. It depends on the degree of damage and the severity of the patient’s condition.

Laboratory diagnostics

This type of diagnosis includes the following laboratory procedures:

general and biochemical blood test;
gas composition check - determination of bicarbonate and carbonate buffer;
study acid-base balance- measurement of partial pressure of carbon dioxide and oxygen.

Inspection

The initial examination by a doctor includes a full survey to describe all the symptoms, the duration of the attacks and a comparison of all the circumstances associated with the occurrence of hypoxia.

Using the method of palpation and examination of the fundus, a test is carried out to assess the signs of the condition of the respiratory, cardiac and nervous systems.

Instrumental verification methods

Hardware diagnostics are prescribed based on the patient’s primary medical history.

If necessary, a referral for the following studies is issued:

Ultrasound - determines pathology even at early stage;
checking brain hypoxia on MRI;
ultrasonography with Dopplerography - determination of changes in blood circulation;
EchoEG, EEG - measurement of brain neuron activity;
rheovasography, angiography - study of blood vessels;
ECG - assessment of cardiac activity;
Pulse oximetry - assessment of the level of oxygen saturation in the blood.

For moderate hypoxia instrumental diagnostics helps determine lesions, parenchyma density, parameters of brain regions, cysts and other features.

First aid for cerebral hypoxia

The main symptom of lack of oxygen is loss of consciousness or fainting. At the first signs of illness, it is necessary to provide the unconscious person with unhindered access to fresh air.

In a clinical setting, an oxygen mask is usually used. If this is not possible, then it is necessary to urgently ventilate the room and free the patient from clothing in order to restore respiratory functions.

Active drugs

Drug treatment is primarily aimed at eliminating the cause of oxygen deficiency.
Medicines containing iron and vitamins are usually prescribed for brain hypoxia to improve tissue metabolism and blood circulation.

For each type of hypoxia, adequate therapy is used using certain drugs and actions.

For example, with circulatory hypoxia, corrective surgery on blood vessels and the heart or treatment with tablets - antihypoxants, nootropics, angioprotectors, etc. may be required.

What to drink during oxygen starvation.

Respiratory exercises

Breathing exercises are considered effective physiotherapy, which increases the resistance of brain cells to a lack of oxygen.

Today there are several popular methods:

oriental style, yoga;
Strelnikova's technique;
bodyflex includes a cycle of exercises for hypoxia;
system of healthy breathing technique using the delay method.

How to get rid of it using folk remedies?

Folk remedies have unique properties that can saturate the cerebral cortex with the necessary nutritional enzymes. We offer several effective methods.

Recipe with hawthorn

You will need hawthorn buds and cognac in the proportion of 100 g/200 ml. The mixture must sit for 14 days. Take 1 tbsp before meals. l.

Recipe with lingonberries

Berry leaves are brewed with boiling water, allowed to settle, filtered and drunk instead of tea after meals. Fresh berries are good to eat in the morning on an empty stomach.

Prevention of the disease

To normalize and restore oxygenation of the body, doctors have developed complex measures that heal or prevent pathology.

What to do in case of hypoxia:

Every day, regardless of weather conditions, walk in the park area for at least 1-2 hours. If this is not possible, then try to walk instead of traveling by transport.
Make it a rule to regularly exercise - gymnastics, yoga, running, swimming, brisk walking, etc.
Together with your doctor, choose a diet high in iron and vitamins, and eat at certain times.
Keep a daily routine, get enough sleep, go to bed and get up at the same time.
Avoid stressful situations and physical overload.
Systematically ventilate the room; it is useful to use air conditioning, as well as devices that ionize and humidify the air.

Brain hypoxia is a persistent pathological change in tissues that develops due to an acute lack of oxygen. This condition can occur in any department and organ. The most dangerous phenomenon is considered to be prolonged hypoxia in the brain, which often causes deaths in medical practice.

What is hypoxia? Speaking in simple language, this is the name given to the condition caused by oxygen starvation. The human central nervous system has a rich blood supply, due to which the brain constantly receives essential nutrients (for example, glucose) and oxygen. Brain structures are extremely sensitive to the lack of these elements.

According to the classification, the following types of cerebral hypoxia are distinguished:

Acute(the prerequisites for the development of the pathological condition are massive blood loss, poisoning and cardiovascular failure, as a result of which the number of red blood cells and transportable oxygen decreases).
Subacute.
Chronic brain hypoxia (occurs with chronic heart failure, developmental defects, when the force of contraction becomes insufficient to transport oxygen and blood to the brain).
Lightning fast(develops rapidly, does not exceed a couple of minutes in duration).

With prolonged hypoxia, cell functioning in any tissue is disrupted and cells die.

What are the causes of the pathology?

The clinical picture of cerebral hypoxia may differ depending on the cause that caused it. this pathology. It is especially important to take this into account when prescribing appropriate treatment.

What are the causes of brain hypoxia?

Circulatory occurs after any pathologies in cardiovascular system. Impaired blood circulation through the cerebral vessels develops, and hypoxic-ischemic changes in the brain are observed.
Exogenous. The causes of this type of hypoxia are considered to be low oxygen content in the surrounding air (with a significant rise to the mountains, in a stuffy room).
Fabric. In case of disruption of adequate functioning of the body and developing metabolic pathologies. Dangerous metabolites appear in the blood, which have an additional negative effect on brain tissue.
In diseases of the respiratory system, the delivery of oxygen not only to the cerebral tissues, but to other tissues of the body is significantly impaired.
With anemia - a decrease in the amount of hemoglobin and red blood cells - the ability of blood cells to transport oxygen decreases.

Clinical manifestations of brain hypoxia

With brain hypoxia, symptoms arise that are quite characteristic of this pathology. Manifestations vary depending on the form developing pathology and the reasons contributing to its appearance. The attending physician and the patient first of all pay attention to following signs:

A state of euphoria and increased motor excitability are present if cerebral hypoxia is moderately developed, and pathological processes reversible.
Headache, vomiting, and dizziness are reliable symptoms of insufficient oxygen supply to the brain.
The skin of a person with hypoxia initially turns pale, and with prolonged oxygen starvation begins to turn blue.
Cold sticky sweat, trembling.
At the very end, a phase develops that is the complete opposite of the first: inhibition of motor and emotional activity. This is a symptom of deep damage to the structures of the nervous system.

Also, most patients experience severe visual impairment, tactile sensitivity on the extremities, absence or decrease unconditioned reflexes, fainting often occurs, often turning into deep coma. In children (especially the first years of life) in the vast majority of cases, cerebral edema develops.

Complications of oxygen starvation

Severe cerebral hypoxia of the brain is one of those conditions that require immediate medical care. The general prognosis depends on many factors, which include: the severity of the pathology, its causes, the presence concomitant diseases, as well as the time elapsed since the onset of acute hypoxia. If the patient did not lose consciousness or fall into a comatose state, then the chances of successful rehabilitation after the acute period subsides are very high.

If coma develops, rapidly increasing atrophic changes in brain structures, which can ultimately lead to pathologies of the nervous system. The life expectancy of a patient in a coma due to hypoxia usually does not exceed one year.

It is necessary to take into account the fact that oxygen starvation contributes to the development of serious complications: thrombosis, the addition of infectious diseases.

The patient's condition after hypoxia

Tissues subjected to oxygen starvation do not fully restore their functions for a long time. However, with proper therapy, this indicator can be slightly improved. The function of dead brain cells can be taken over by neighboring structures, therefore partial restoration really.

The prognosis for the development of the disorder and the rehabilitation of a person depend on the severity of the pathology. If brain hypoxia is complicated by a coma or clinical death, then this will inevitably lead to disturbances in the central nervous system. Accordingly, conditioned and unconditioned reflexes, coordination, auditory, visual and taste analyzers will suffer. Recovery for such patients can range from one year to several years. Not all changes that occur will be reversible.

If cerebral hypoxia develops without complications, then rehabilitation can take up to one month, especially when there are no complications in the form of mental disorders and motor activity.

Brain hypoxia is difficult to treat, despite wide range medicines for the treatment of pathologists. Complete recovery of the patient is quite rare.

The sooner therapy is started, the greater the chances of a good prognosis for the disease (the cells are less hungry, have not yet lost their ability to recover, and the focus of hypoxia is small).

What examination methods allow one to suspect hypoxia?

Outside hospital facility hypoxia can be suspected only indirectly by the characteristic clinical signs of hypoxia described above. And already in the hospital a whole range of examinations is carried out to clarify the diagnosis. The most common and reliable methods are:

Ultrasound echography helps to establish the location and even the cause of oxygen starvation at an early stage of the development of the pathology. The affected brain structure and the volume of dead are indicated nerve cells. This examination method is especially indicated for young children. In adults, ultrasound echography even helps to provide an approximate prognosis for the development of pathological changes.
Pulse oximetry measures the oxygen saturation of the blood as a percentage. A decrease in this indicator indicates acutely developing disorders in the human body. The diagnostic method is extremely accessible and is used everywhere.
Clinical blood tests: ions and other indicators of acid-base balance are especially important.
Computed tomography, MRI – very important diagnostic method, which, unfortunately, is not present in every hospital. A survey CT or MRI shows areas of cerebral edema, areas of nerve cell death, and healthy areas receiving the necessary oxygen.

For proper and qualified assistance to a patient who is suspected of developing or established cerebral hypoxia, it is necessary to first conduct a full range of important examinations. Only after specifying the localization and degree of hypoxic damage to brain structures should one begin adequate treatment of the pathology.

Drug treatment of oxygen starvation

The main goal of therapeutic measures is to restore adequate supply of necessary oxygen to the brain. If there are concomitant diseases, they are also corrected as far as possible. It is important to remember that the earlier treatment is started, the more promising the person’s future rehabilitation is.

From medications Prescribe iron supplements and multivitamins. The medicine improves blood circulation and normalizes metabolism in tissues. In most cases, administration occurs intravenously or intramuscularly, and not in the form of tablets.

In severe forms, brain hypoxia in mandatory It is treated with antihypoxants, respiratory analeptics, and drugs that dilate the bronchi. Suitable for critical condition transfusion of whole blood, plasma, use of mechanical ventilation.

First emergency and medical aid for acute cerebral hypoxia

Treatment of cerebral hypoxia in a patient is as follows:

It is advisable (if possible) to eliminate probable cause, leading to the development of oxygen starvation.
It is imperative to ensure a flow of fresh air (take the victim outside, open the windows in the room, etc.)
The victim must be freed from clothing that restricts breathing.
You should call an ambulance immediately.

In the future, it is necessary to use an oxygen mask with humidified oxygen.

Prevention of pathology

There are many methods that are useful to use to prevent the development of brain damage. These include breathing exercises. It contributes to the stability of central nerve structures during oxygen deprivation, and is also useful for recovery normal function systems

The most popular are:

Eastern techniques.
The principle of oxygen starvation.
Bodyflex.
Methodology according to Strelnikova.

However, before using the methods, you should consult with your doctor, since the selection of the most optimal method for a person should be under direct supervision medical worker. Application breathing exercises does not replace reception medications, but only complements. Only by acting together can they help avoid possible complications.

Conclusion

Brain hypoxia is a rather serious pathology that requires immediate treatment. At timely diagnosis and the treatment started, it is possible to avoid numerous complications and reduce the rehabilitation time by several times. However, to prevent hypoxia, it is recommended to use breathing techniques.

Shoshina Vera Nikolaevna

Therapist, education: Northern Medical University. Work experience 10 years.

Articles written

Without oxygen, a person’s life is at risk, even if he has been gone for several minutes. Brain hypoxia indicates insufficient supply of this useful substance into the body or that the order of removal of carbon dioxide from the blood is disrupted.

The lack of oxygen in the brain is dangerous due to the irreversible processes that occur. If the process of providing the body with oxygen is continuous, nothing threatens a person, but a failure in the respiratory system or transport elements of the blood flow - and the brain is the first to be affected.

Brain hypoxia is a condition of the body that can already lead to other pathologies. A few seconds are enough for all internal organs and systems to stop functioning. That is why brain hypoxia is called critical for any living creature.

Already at the 15th second, brain activity stops, leading to a coma. And each subsequent second provokes irreversible processes.

That is why, if acute hypoxia occurred far from medical institution, where there are doctors and the necessary equipment for resuscitation, a person’s chances of survival are extremely low. The survival rate in such cases does not exceed 4-5%.

Important! 3-4 minutes of oxygen starvation of the brain is enough for a person to die. In infants and children younger age this period is even shorter.

Hypoxia is dangerous during pregnancy and childbirth, because the life of the child and/or fetus is at risk: he may die or suffer complications leading to disability. Doctors identify the following reasons that provoke this condition in newborns:

The woman in labor has been diagnosed serious problems with severe health conditions, such as intoxication, leukemia, heart disease, etc.
There is a problem with the umbilical cord, which arises due to its defects, incorrect presentation of the fetus, post-term pregnancy, during prolonged or rapid labor.
Fetal development defect, heart defect, complications infectious disease, intracranial injury and conflict between the Rh factor of mother and child.
Asphyxia due to obstruction of the airways.

Important! A prolonged lack of oxygen in the fetus leads to irritation of the respiratory centers, because of this the child begins to breathe mucus, blood, and amniotic fluid. At the first breath, pneumothorax will occur, leading to the death of the child.

Kinds

Brain hypoxia is divided into types according to etiology, time of development and localization.

By etiology

If we take into account external factors, then cerebral hypoxia can be divided into the following types:

Hypoxic, when there is a lack of oxygen directly in the air. Most often this occurs due to poor ventilation of the premises, lack of ventilation in completely enclosed rooms. Climbers experience symptoms of brain hypoxia, because the higher you go, the less oxygen in the air.
Respiratory when there is a malfunction respiratory system due to diseases or dysfunctions of the respiratory center.
Cardiovascular, caused by changes in the composition of the blood, which interferes with its normal flow: heart failure, narrowed working channels along the,. This hypoxia can lead to ischemic stroke brain
Hemic, associated with changes in the composition of the blood. Oxygen is transported throughout the body by hemoglobin molecules. And if there is a deficiency in it, then oxygen will remain unbound and will not be able to enter the cells.
Tissue, when the body cannot utilize carbon dioxide from cells. Most often it occurs due to blockage of a fragment of the mitochondrial respiratory chain, provoked by poison or a number of drugs.
Overload, which is a temporary phenomenon due to excessive load on muscle, nervous tissue or the organ itself.
Technogenic, provoked harmful substances in production and the like.
Mixed, any hypoxia that led to a tissue type of pathology.

By exposure time

Due to the fact that hypoxia is not a disease, but a condition, the speed of its development is extremely important. There are 3 types of it:

Lightning fast, developing rapidly, for example, with injury or hemorrhage in the respiratory center. It doesn’t matter whether it happened to an adult or a child, without urgent medical attention the patient will die.
Acute when it takes a couple of hours to develop, which often happens with cyanide poisoning, which blocks enzymes of the respiratory chain. The time it takes to provide emergency care is in minutes, because the faster it happens, the higher the chance of preserving the health and life of the patient.
Chronic, not threatening the patient’s life, but significantly worsening its quality. The body uses all mechanisms to independently saturate the brain with oxygen, only to maintain its vital functions, but there will be no full restoration of functions.

By localization

Doctors divide the localization of brain hypoxia into 4 main types:

Dissipated, when there is a general lack of oxygen in the blood, which leads to disorders of low and moderate severity. At the same time, it has the most favorable prognosis for the patient.
Central, cerebral, ischemic attack, when the blood supply to a separate area of the brain is disrupted due to thrombosis due to a more extensive pathology.
A global, cerebral, ischemic attack in which blood does not completely flow to the brain.
Ischemic stroke, caused by rapid narrowing and/or obstruction of blood flow. With it, several areas will be affected at once.

Symptoms of oxygen starvation of the brain

The clinical picture of a lack of oxygen in the brain is special, and its effect is difficult not to notice:

increased excitability, when it is difficult to control facial expressions, actions, behavior;
the head and whole body are covered with cold sweat, so the body copes with hypoxia on its own;
the skin becomes an unnatural color, which immediately attracts the attention of strangers; most often the face becomes red or pale with a bluish tint;
the central nervous system will be inhibited and brain structures damaged, resulting in slurred speech, hearing loss, blurred vision, fainting, etc.
signs of loss of both unconditioned and conditioned reflexes due to swelling of the brain, which this condition led to.

The higher a person's sensitivity to hypoxic damage, the greater the chance that he will fall into a coma. When the main control center of the body is turned off, the heart, blood flow, and all vital functions of the body can stop. This is why even a short-term attack is so dangerous.

Human defense mechanisms during hypoxia

Even a premature baby will fight for his life at the level of unconditioned reflexes. During hypoxia, a number of protective mechanisms are triggered in humans:

increase in breathing rate, it becomes deep, and subsequently intermittent, rare, superficial;
an increase in the frequency and contractile force of the heart, an increase in blood pressure so that more oxygen enters the body tissues;
hunger leads to the extraction of blood reserves from the liver and spleen so that transportation is carried out faster;
all functional organs slow down their work to optimize the process;
alternative energy production through the breakdown of carbohydrates according to the principle of anaerobic glycolysis, which provokes acidosis.

Despite the abundance of mechanisms, they will ultimately lead to the death of the body, since failures that occur when they are turned on are incompatible with life. After the blood supply is taken from the organs, they will gradually fade away and it is not always possible to restore their functionality even with the help of doctors.

Therefore, it is important to prevent the body from reaching this stage, which is only possible if resuscitation measures are started on time.

Diagnostics

Even at home, you can diagnose an attack of acute hypoxia due to the characteristic clinical picture. But the chronic type of hypoxia is similar to a malfunction in the functioning of the central nervous system and often occurs due to it. Therefore, the doctor will prescribe measures to determine the root cause of the condition, be it cervical osteochondrosis or a tumor. Alcoholism also leads to chronic hypoxia.

The doctor will prescribe:

blood for general and gas analysis;
rheovasography;
angiography;
capnography;
CO-metrics.

In severe cases, all of the above checks can be carried out, but most often this is a set of 3-4 measures, which are sufficient to make a diagnosis.

Emergency care and treatment

All measures should be aimed at restoring breathing, gas exchange and stabilizing the patient, and only then at rehabilitation. AND traditional methods don't fit here. At the same time, it is necessary to determine the cause of the condition and eliminate it so that the vital functions of the body are not at risk.

For example, if a teenager becomes ill on a stuffy bus, then he needs to be taken out into fresh air or given an oxygen bag. To speed up the process, you will need an injection of a bronchodilator drug. If the cause is a hypertensive crisis, Riboxin can be used. But each case is individual.

Important! Emergency assistance - calling an ambulance and providing resuscitation measures posed in such a situation.

General drug therapy build on drugs:

normalizing the functioning of the vascular system;
to improve blood supply;
blood thinners;
eliminating atherosclerotic vascular lesions;
to relieve pain, nausea;
strengthening the body.

In newborns

The birth of a child is already a difficult process, but if the baby has difficulty breathing, the doctor will clear the passages of mucus, residual amniotic fluid and introduce surfactants to eliminate their swelling. Most often, artificial respiration is indispensable. The newborn is placed in a special chamber with increased oxygen content and pressure to quickly make up for the resulting deficiency.

In adults

After emergency measures and stabilization of the patient, he needs to take all measures to change his lifestyle if they cause hypoxia. So, smokers, if they cannot completely quit bad habit, should spend less time in enclosed spaces and more time outdoors fresh air and perform special breathing exercises.

If the cause is poison, then doctors will administer antidotes in order to neutralize them in a timely manner and bring the person back to normal. Each specific case is treated differently. And prevention is the same for all cases - healthy image life and control over your health.

Consequences

During hypoxia, not only the cerebral cortex suffers, but also all its structures. And the consequences will depend on how quickly the attack occurred. Unfortunately, the immediate, subacute and acute types of hypoxia end fatal, except in cases where resuscitation assistance was provided immediately after the onset of the attack. Chronic oxygen deficiency gradually affects brain tissue, leading to:

vomiting and nausea;
vertigo;
confusion and loss of consciousness;
problems with speech, hearing and vision;
systematic pain in the head.

Provided that in case of a hypoxic attack, timely assistance will be provided by a team of highly qualified doctors, appropriate treatment will be carried out and preventive actions, there is a good chance of complete restoration of brain function.

But if we are talking about chronic hypoxia, which has not been treated for a long time, then serious consequences cannot be avoided.

Even if therapy is started, it is impossible to restore the brain to its previous state, and the person will suffer from the consequences of oxygen starvation.

Hypoxia (ancient Greek ὑπό - under, below and lat. oxygenium - oxygen) is a state of oxygen starvation of both the entire body as a whole and individual organs and tissues, caused by various factors: alcohol consumption, breath holding, painful conditions, small oxygen content in the atmosphere, death of the body. Due to hypoxia, irreversible changes develop in vital organs. The most sensitive to oxygen deficiency are the central nervous system, heart muscle, kidney tissue, and liver. It can cause an inexplicable feeling of euphoria, leading to dizziness and low muscle tone.

Due to the fact that oxygen stops flowing to the brain cells, hypoxia begins, that is, oxygen starvation (oxygen deficiency).

The main causes of hypoxia in the body

Hypoxic hypoxia is a decrease in the partial pressure of oxygen in the inhaled air.

Hemic hypoxia is a decrease in hemoglobin content or blockade of its oxygen transport function.

Circulatory hypoxia is a general or local disturbance of blood circulation.

Blockade of mitochondrial respiratory chain enzymes (for example, by cyanide), which involves the function of oxygen as an electron acceptor and, therefore, the formation of ATP.

Brain hypoxia can be part of general and local hypoxia of the body. Thrombosis of the artery that brings blood to the brain tissue. A feature of local hypoxia is the disruption of the delivery of not only oxygen, but also nutrients, as well as the removal of end products of metabolism. Altitude sickness, blood loss, anemia, etc.

Oxygen regime of the brain

The brain, which makes up no more than 2% of body weight, consumes 20 - 25% of the oxygen entering the body. 02 consumption by the whole brain ~ 33 ml 02/(kg-min). In this case, gray matter consumes 02 5 times more than white matter. In the cerebral cortex, neurons consume 70% and glial cells consume 30% of oxygen.

The perikaryon of a neuron (its trophic center), occupying 5% of the cell volume, consumes 25% 02, synaptic endings (-15% of the cell volume) - 10% 02. The brain extracts 67 ± 8 ml 02 from 1 liter of flowing blood and secretes 66 ± 8 ml CO2.

When blood pressure and cerebral blood flow decrease by 2 times, the consumption of 0 2 by the brain does not significantly decrease, which indicates powerful mechanisms for compensating its hypoxia. Decrease in cerebral blood flow by 3 times, and P0 2 in the venous blood of the brain to 20 mm Hg. Art. is a critical zone, accompanied by loss of consciousness and fading EEG (development of agony). The consumption of 0 2 by the brain is reduced by 2 times. Decrease in cerebral blood flow by 4 times, P0 2 in venous blood to 10 mm Hg. Art., and consumption of 0 2 by more than 80% represents the “lethal threshold” at which the EEG disappears and irreversible changes develop.

Energy processes in the brain

are among the most oxygen dependent. The human brain spends on average 20% of the body's energy budget. The energy costs for impulse activity (generation of action potentials) under conditions of physiological rest are equal, according to various authors, from 15 to 50% of the generated ATP, for the processes of processing and storing information - approximately 15%, for the transport of glucose through the blood-brain barrier - about 10% , the rest of the energy is used for biosynthesis and axonal transport of substances. The main (almost the only) substance used by the brain to form ATP is glucose. No organ consumes blood glucose in such quantities as the brain or depends to such an acute extent on glucose oxidation to maintain its functional activity. However, the content of glucose, both free and stored in glycogen, in the brain tissue is small (no more than 4.5 mmol/kg) and can be completely used within 5 - 7 minutes, which makes the brain sensitive to disruption of its supply. not only oxygen, but also glucose.

The damaging effect of hypoxia (anoxia) on the brain can be mainly at two levels:

Fetal hypoxia

Fetal hypoxia is a violation of its vital functions, which develops under the influence of oxygen deficiency during pregnancy and childbirth.

Most often, a lack of oxygen in the fetus manifests itself during pregnancy; it can be associated with a wide variety of problems, but most often it is caused by chronic diseases of the mother or gestosis. The prerequisites for fetal hypoxia are created by many disturbances in the normal course of the birth process.

Consequences of stress and hypoxia in adults

We spend most of the time of day at work every day. Time for rest and taking care of your health is becoming less and less. High mental stress and constant stress lead to chronic fatigue, decreased immunity, sleep disturbances and a general deterioration in health.

Intensive work in a confined space is only one of the many causes of chronic fatigue, increased fatigue, insomnia, decreased performance and is directly related to hypoxia.