KelvinY
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Trivial Pursuits, Part 1
The "Old but young" question ( https://www.experts-exchange.com/questions/22462019/Old-but-Young.html ) got me thinking about another death-related question that I came across in the board game Trivial Pursuit many years ago.
The question was "What has been the cause of every human death?" Their answer was "Hypoxema [or Hypoxemia or Hypoxia] (Lack of blood to the brain)". I disagreed with their answer and immediately thought of a counterexample. What I'd like to know is: How many counterexamples can you think of, experts?" All reasonable efforts will be rewarded.
The question was "What has been the cause of every human death?" Their answer was "Hypoxema [or Hypoxemia or Hypoxia] (Lack of blood to the brain)". I disagreed with their answer and immediately thought of a counterexample. What I'd like to know is: How many counterexamples can you think of, experts?" All reasonable efforts will be rewarded.
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A rupture also cuts off oxygenated blood to brain cells.
Cells can be destroyed by being oxidized, but I can't think of anyone who died that way.
Anything that phisically destroys a brain in less than a few seconds should prevent death from anoxia.
Or if anoxia is not techincally the same as hypoxia, maybe a complete loss of blood flow is also a counter example.
I'd also think there could be cases of brain cells slowly dieing from other causes while maintaining oxygenated blood flow.
Cells can be destroyed by being oxidized, but I can't think of anyone who died that way.
Anything that phisically destroys a brain in less than a few seconds should prevent death from anoxia.
Or if anoxia is not techincally the same as hypoxia, maybe a complete loss of blood flow is also a counter example.
I'd also think there could be cases of brain cells slowly dieing from other causes while maintaining oxygenated blood flow.
The iron in the redblood cells is fatal to brain cells, and there
Iron from redbloodcells destroys breaincell, I was told once.
BSE, Creutzfeld Jakob, although the last bit of cells might still suffer Hypoxia
BSE, Creutzfeld Jakob, although the last bit of cells might still suffer Hypoxia
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influx of various metals into braincells will call apoptose of braincells
(just google around for) braincells + poison +
(aluminum, lead, mercury, iron etc.)
(just google around for) braincells + poison +
(aluminum, lead, mercury, iron etc.)
ASKER
There have been some quite insightful comments so far. It seems to me that there is no clear cut answer, but that any incident that involves decapitation or catastrophic destruction of the head could be considered a non-hypoxemic death. I thought that execution by electric chair would also be a good counterexample, as the prisoner's brain is well oxygenated right up to the moment that a huge jolt of electricity fries all of his neurons.
Before I close this question, with points for everyone who has conrtributed, does anyone else have a good counterexample to death by hypoxemia? And do you think that the question would have been accurate if it had been phrased as "What has been the cause of every *natural* human death?"
Before I close this question, with points for everyone who has conrtributed, does anyone else have a good counterexample to death by hypoxemia? And do you think that the question would have been accurate if it had been phrased as "What has been the cause of every *natural* human death?"
Is getting stricken down by lightning natural or not...
I think decapitation would count as anoxia.
Does elecrocution kill by frying neurons ot by sending the heart into v-fib?
Does elecrocution kill by frying neurons ot by sending the heart into v-fib?
ASKER
Some thought provoking comments. Points for all who contributed and thanks for your thoughts.
ASKER
That was the counterexample I used. I'd be interested to see what else the experts can come up with.