How lack of oxygen can lead to lasting brain injuries

If a doctor makes a mistake and your brain is denied oxygen, the ramifications set in quickly. It only takes 10 minutes of oxygen deprivation for complete brain death. If there’s a crucial oversight during surgery, such as someone forgetting to monitor your vitals properly, it doesn’t take long for that mistake to turn fatal.

That said, you may survive even after a short amount of oxygen deprivation. Don’t assume this means you’ll make a full recovery, though. Many brain injuries lead to lasting complications and do not fully heal. Cells that are killed may never be able to regenerate.

What symptoms may you see?

The exact symptoms depend on everything from the length of the oxygen loss to the part of the brain that is damaged, but they may include things like:

• Memory loss
• Cognitive impairment
• Vision problems
• Personality changes
• Balance and coordination issues
• Problems walking
• Inability to focus
• Poor judgment and decision-making skills
• Muscle spasms
• Trouble with speech
• Dysphagia, or difficulty swallowing

Medical experts note that a lot of these symptoms last for life. There are treatment options. Someone who cannot walk, for instance, may gain some of their ability back. But even they may never be able to effortlessly walk and run like they could before the incident. A mistake that only lasts for a few minutes could absolutely change the rest of your life.

What should you do next?

If something like this happens to you, you must know about the legal options you have. Medical malpractice is a serious issue and you may be able to seek compensation for all of your costs.