Complex Traumas: Burn Injuries and Brain Damage

Serious accidents can happen at any time. In certain instances, serious accidents may lead to complex traumas. In an instance of a house or car fire, wild fire, or related fire accident, it is possible for burn injuries and brain injuries to occur simultaneously. The consequences of burn injuries or brain injuries on their own can be severe; however, when they happen together, the recovery process can be more complex. Learn more about burn and brain injury healing below, and be sure to reach out to a medical professional with any questions or concerns.  

What Are Anoxic and Hypoxic Brain Injuries? 

If you take a look at anoxic and hypoxic brain injury recovery stories, you will probably uncover some serious accidents. An anoxic brain injury leads to brain damage due to lack of oxygen. Like other parts of the body, your brain requires a constant supply of oxygen to function properly. Without oxygen, your brain cells start to die. Strictly speaking, an anoxic brain injury occurs when your brain is completely deprived of oxygen.  

This is slightly different from a hypoxic brain injury. Hypoxic brain injury takes place when your brain has some oxygen but doesn't have enough oxygen to function properly. If your brain has a partial supply of oxygen but not enough to power its typical functions, it is called a hypoxic brain injury. 

Is anoxic brain injury a TBI?  

Technically, the two injuries are different, but they could overlap. A traumatic brain injury takes place when a blow to the head leads to a temporary or permanent alteration in the way the brain processes information. An anoxic brain injury takes place when the brain is deprived of oxygen. There is some overlap, but they are different. 

What Are The Impacts of Complex Traumas on the Body and Mind?

Complex traumas can have a significant impact on the mind and body. Complex trauma takes place when there is a deep, serious injury that has a major impact on the way the central nervous system functions. The central nervous system is responsible for processing all of the body's information, collecting sensory information and distributing commands to the rest of the body. If someone has suffered complex trauma, it could have a permanent impact on their physical and mental health. The exact nature of the impact will depend on the scope and severity of the injury.

What Can I Expect When Caring for Someone With Brain and Burn Injuries?

The recovery from anoxic brain injury can be prolonged. Even with immediate treatment for anoxic brain injury, it is possible that those experiencing the brain injury may not make a full recovery. This is particularly true if the brain is without oxygen for 45 minutes or more.

If you are caring for someone with brain and burn injuries, here are some things to consider:

• During the recovery process, you may notice that your loved one experiences extreme changes in their mood, emotions, and feelings. Distress, anxiety, and depression are common during the recovery process. It is not uncommon to have your loved one experience uncontrollable crying or laughing, irritability, etc.

• You will want to observe and take note of your loved one’s triggers. They will also be learning their triggers, so you need to be open and receptive to them. It will take some time to learn what they like and do not like during the treatment process.

• While no brain injury may be the same, note that there are also a variety of physical and mental symptoms that may occur including memory loss, loss of physical functions, difficulty with words, and in some cases, even visual disturbances. You may need to assume ownership of certain tasks that they can no longer handle on their own.

• Celebrate all wins — big or small. While they may seem like small steps at times, finding an opportunity to create joy and excitement around all wins is an opportunity to lift spirits overall.

• You must also take time to care for yourself. If you don't take care of your physical and mental health, you will have a difficult time taking care of someone else's. In addition, consider who can join you as a caregiver on the team of the survivor. What resources are available to you or what do you need to ensure all are successful in this journey?

Communication is important during the recovery process. Be honest with yourself about the situation, know when you can ask for help, and be transparent with the person you are taking care of. That way, you can provide them with the best care possible.

Prevention Using Fire Safety  

Fire safety is incredibly important. Can smoke inhalation cause brain damage? Yes, it can. If your lungs are inhaling smoke, they will not be inhaling oxygen, which can lead to a serious brain injury. Anoxic and hypoxic brain injury recovery time can vary depending on the scope of the damage. It is important to prevent fire damage from taking place to avoid these types of accidents if possible.  

A few tips include:

• Make sure you have working smoke detectors on every level of your home and test them at least once every six months.

• Ensure everyone in the home understands the fire escape plan and practices regularly.

• Invest in routine maintenance of your car and home to reduce the chances of a fire accident taking place.