HYPOXIC-ISCHEMIC ENCEPHALOPATHY

Results from lack of delivery of oxygen to the brain because of hypotension or hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy. Most common causes are MI, cardiac arrest, shock, asphyxiation, paralysis of respiration, and carbon monoxide or cyanide poisoning. In some circumstances, hypoxia may predominate. Carbon monoxide and cyanide poisoning are termed histotoxic hypoxia since they cause a direct impairment of the respiratory chain.

CLINICAL MANIFESTATIONS: -

Mild degrees of pure hypoxia (e.g., at high altitude) cause impaired judgment, inattentiveness, motor incoordination, and, at times, euphoria. However, with hypoxia-ischemia, such as occurs with circulatory arrest, consciousness is lost within seconds. If circulation is restored within 3–5 min, full recovery may occur, but with longer periods permanent cerebral damage usually results. It may be difficult to judge the precise degree of hypoxia-ischemia, and some pts make a relatively full recovery even after 8–10 min of global ischemia. The distinction between pure hypoxia and hypoxia-ischemia is important, since a Pao2 as low as 2.7 kPa (20 mmHg) can be well tolerated if it develops gradually and normal blood pressure is maintained, but short durations of very low or absent cerebral circulation may result in permanent impairment.

HOMEOPATHIC MANAGEMENT:-

The medicines that can be thought of use are:-

• Vanadium
• Coca
• Aspidosperma
• Eriodictyon
• Antimonium tart.