What happens if your brain stem is damaged

Now, there are three regions of the brain stem that work together to perform its functions:. The Pons: upper portion of the stem that assists with respiration, swallowing, hearing, equilibrium, taste, eye movement, facial expressions, posture, and bladder control.

The Midbrain: associated with vision, hearing, motor control, sleep cycles, and temperature regulation.

The Medulla Oblongata: lower half of the stem that regulates breathing, heart rate, blood pressure, and respiratory functions. With that in mind, injuries to the brain stem can happen in a number of ways. As mentioned, brain stem injuries are often the result of car and motorcycle collisions. However, it has been shown that wearing seatbelts in automobiles and helmets on bikes can help prevent this type of trauma. Other causes of brain stem injuries that we commonly see are due to falls.

An example would be a construction worker plunging from scaffolding. Keep in mind that these types of injuries can also lead to a person suffering what is known as a brain stem stroke. This is the result of the blood supply to the brain being interrupted.

However, unlike automobile accidents or falls , which involve some type of force or impact, brain stem strokes can happen to anyone at any time. Located at the base of the brain, the brain stem or brainstem is the connection between the spinal cord and the brain. It controls both voluntary and involuntary functions of the body.

Vital functions, like breathing, heartbeat, and digestion, function due to the transmission of signals from the brain. Other functions like facial movement and motor control are also controlled through the brain stem. The brain stem is the conduit from our body to the cerebral cortex.

It is no wonder why brainstem injuries are often life-threatening. Damage to any one of these areas of the brain stem is bad enough but when an injury occurs to any or all of these three areas, the consequences can be devastating. Heartbeat and breathing can cease, causing death. The brain stem can become compressed due to swelling, leading to hemorrhaging and stroke.

This may result in speech impairment, breathing difficulties, including sleep apnea and difficulty swallowing. In acute cases, there may be personality changes and memory loss.

In severe cases, the result can be loss of consciousness, coma, and paralysis. A victim may remain in a vegetative state for life, or death can suddenly occur from heart and lung failure as a result. Its virtually inaccessible location, deep within the lower brain, makes treatments for brain stem injuries virtually non-existent.

Auto and motorcycle accidents are a leading cause of brain stem injuries. They affect people of all ages. Wearing seatbelts in cars and helmets on bikes has shown to be protective from these injuries. This protection comes from lessened chances of neck hyper-flexion, frontward and backward, and reduced twisting. These are two extreme motions that can lead to brain stem injuries in many cases. After the tests staff caring for the child will discuss with parents what happens next and the timing of this.

The legal time of death will be the time that the first tests were completed. Our clinical support services. Find out more about the Paediatric and Neonatal Intensive Care Unit specialty , including clinic information, staff members and contact details.

There are also other specialist nurses working in the ITU who are very experienced in end of life issues and who can provide specialist support. If you would like to talk to one of the hospital chaplains or your own religious adviser, please ask your nurse to contact them for you.

Understanding brain stem death We realise this is an incredibly difficult time for family and friends, and hope that this gives some basic information and helps to answer any questions. The child does not respond to pain when pressure is applied to certain areas of the body. The child does not breathe when taken off the ventilator. Compiled by:. Last review date:. If you have specific questions about how this relates to your child, please ask your doctor. Please note this information may not necessarily reflect treatment at other hospitals.

Useful links Our clinical support services. Clinical specialty Find out more about the Paediatric and Neonatal Intensive Care Unit specialty , including clinic information, staff members and contact details.