Anoxic Encephalopathy —What it is, Similarities to and Differences from other Conditions, Effects, Recovery and Treatment
Encephalopathy is a broad term that generically refers to a disease, damage or malfunction of the brain. It shows itself by an altered mental state and brain failure that is sometimes accompanied by physical changes. When the term “anoxic encephalopathy” is used, reference is being made to brain damage caused by a lack of oxygen to the brain, that can be caused by heart, liver or kidney failure, among others. In those situations, the medical reason for the encephalopathy precedes the term encephalopathy — such as “cardiac” when heart failure causes the condition. The cause and severity of the condition dictates the extent to which the individual’s mental state is altered[1].
A related condition is cerebral hypoxia. This refers to a reduction of oxygen to the brain. When the individual’s catastrophic injury is one of total oxygen deprivation to the brain the term “anoxic” is used. This can be either hypoxic in origin (caused by reduced oxygen availability), or ischemic (caused by oxygen deprivation resulting from a disruption in blood flow). In either case, the resulting traumatic brain injury is sometimes called “hypoxic/anoxic injury.”
Among the symptoms of anoxic encephalopathy include:
- Confusion
- Memory loss
- Weakness or numbness of parts of the body
- Uncoordinated movements
- Seizures
- Any combination of these depending upon what parts of the brain are affected and extent of the damage
Outcomes of acute care for encephalopathies vary from full recovery to death. For example, some individuals who initially survive cardiopulmonary resuscitation remain comatose, show obvious and severe impairments in consciousness and neurologic function.
In assessing individuals who sustained anoxic encephalopathy to determine a Client Goal Plan consisting of appropriate, specialized neurorehabilitative services and providing services to attain the best possible outcome for the individual, it is necessary to identify what might be called “degrees” of the neurological impairment and likely outcomes. In that process, neurologists, RNs and other professionals are involved. However, due to the severity of this kind of traumatic brain injury, the outlook is often poor. The American Academy of Neurology practice parameter paper defines poor outcomes as: death, persistent unconsciousness (such as a vegetative state) or severe disability requiring full nursing care after 6 months[2]. In the case of severe disability, post-acute rehabilitation is, nonetheless, important and would include various modalities of specialized rehabilitation and residential services that provide clinically relevant services and supported living.
The professionals at NeuLife, including its team of neurologists, RNs and therapists are expert in the provision of innovative, clinically relevant services, including the development of a Client Goal Plan, and delivery of neurobehavioral and neurorehabilitative services. NeuLife’s goal is to provide post-acute rehabilitation to its clients that attain the best possible outcome for those who have even the most difficult and challenging diagnoses.
NeuLife’s philosophy is that healing, wellness and personal fulfillment are best accomplished in a positive and uplifting therapeutic environment where caring staff encourage, assist and support each client so he or she may achieve specific goals. NeuLife believes personal fulfillment is equally as important as goals to increase function and independence. NeuLife seeks to achieve, for all of its clients, maximized, sustained outcomes that exceed the expectations of all persons served.
NeuLife, in Mount Dora, Florida, is a fully accessible residential post-acute program providing specialized rehabilitation to individuals diagnosed with traumatic brain injury (TBI), spinal cord injury (SCI), traumatic amputations and other catastrophic injuries.
2725 Robie Avenue
Mount Dora, Florida 32757
[1] WebMD, EMedicineHealth Definition of Encephalopathy
[2] Wijdicks EFM, Hijdra A, Young GB, et al. Practice parameter: prediction of outcome in comatose survivors after cardiopulmonary resuscitation (an evidence based review): report of the Quality Standards Subcommittee of American Academy of Neurology. Neurol. 2006; 67:203-10; http://www.eperc.mcw.edu/EPERC/FastFactsIndex/ff_234.htm
