Complementary therapies in medicine
-
Complement Ther Med · Dec 2010
Case ReportsAcupuncture as complementary therapy for hypoxic encephalopathy: a case study.
In acute carbon monoxide intoxication, more serious neuronal damage may induce hypoxic encephalopathy with variable degrees of brain damage, ranging from confusion to deep coma. We report herein on a patient who developed hypoxic encephalopathy and acute respiratory failure after acute carbon monoxide intoxication. Acupuncture therapy has been applied along with prescription medication to restore consciousness. ⋯ This case report suggests that there may be a role for complementary treatment with acupuncture in such cases, and it would be more definitive, meaningful and a welcome addition to our database of knowledge if more case studies about the possibility of acupuncture use in these circumstances were done.