Oxygen Meant to Resuscitate May Damage Brain: Scientific American
A new study suggests that pumping pure oxygen into patients' noses and mouths during a stroke or other medical emergency may exacerbate rather than reduce potential brain damage.
Medical personnel routinely slap an oxygen mask on people struggling to breathe as well as on stroke victims left oxygen-deficient in some parts of their brains. Until recently, doctors believed this was the fastest and most effective way to deliver oxygen to needy lung or brain tissue.
A new study suggests that pumping pure oxygen into patients' noses and mouths during a stroke or other medical emergency may exacerbate rather than reduce potential brain damage.
Medical personnel routinely slap an oxygen mask on people struggling to breathe as well as on stroke victims left oxygen-deficient in some parts of their brains. Until recently, doctors believed this was the fastest and most effective way to deliver oxygen to needy lung or brain tissue.
Comments