Recovering from a Concussion
Improved
6139 HealthChanged
3797 LivesSaved
3584 Lives0 lives impacted in the last 24 hrs Learn More
Causes
Anoxic brain damage may occur when:
- Oxygenated blood cannot reach the brain (eg, when a clot prevents blood flow to the brain)
- Blood that reaches the brain does not carry enough oxygen (eg, when lung disease prevents oxygen from crossing from the lungs into the blood for transport)
- Exposure to poisons or other toxins that keep oxygen in the blood from being used by the cells in the brain (eg, carbon monoxide poisoning )
Risk Factors
The following accidents and health problems increase your risk of anoxic brain damage:
- Cardiac arrest
- Choking
- Suffocation
- Near-drowning
- Electrical shock
- Malfunctioning gas appliances that produce carbon monoxide
- Heart attack
- Heart arrhythmia (abnormal heart beats)
- Stroke
- Brain tumors
- Drug use
Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Copyright © 2026 EBSCO Publishing All rights reserved.