How Complications From Demi Lovato's Overdose Could Result In Brain Damage And Impact Her Ability To Sing
She's still in the hospital suffering from "complications" related to the overdose.
Getty Images It's been six days since Demi Lovato suffered an overdose. TMZ reported that the 25-year-old singer is still under care at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles due to her being "very, very sick."
Sources say that she's suffering from extreme nausea, a high fever and other complications related to her overdose.
While it still hasn't been confirmed what drugs Lovato took prior to her overdose, paramedics who were on the scene reportedly had to revive her with Narcan; which is an antidote to an opioid overdose.
Even though Lovato survived the overdose, the complications from it could cause permanent damage.
According to DrugAbuse.org, the most significant risk of an overdose is a lack of oxygen to the brain, called hypoxic brain damage. Without oxygen, the brain can become permanently damaged very quickly.
The extensiveness of the brain damage depends on how long the brain was without adequate amounts of oxygen. Even just a few seconds can make a huge difference.
Memory loss, impairment of hearing or vision, loss of coordination or balance, the inability to read, write or communicate properly and even a vegetative state are all possible effects of hypoxic brain damage.
A drug addiction expert even told Hollywood Life that the damage could cause Lovato's ability to sing to be lost.
While Lovato has been described as "stable," no other information on her condition has been released. It's also not clear if she stopped breathing during her overdose.
Though doctors still haven't sent her home, sources did say that "she is under the care of medical experts and is expected to make a full recovery."
“Demi is awake and with her family who want to express thanks to everyone for the love, prayers, and support,” Lovato’s rep said in a statement to Variety. “Some of the information being reported is incorrect and they respectfully ask for privacy and not speculation as her health and recovery is the most important thing right now.”
Emily Blackwood is an editor at YourTango who covers pop culture, dating, relationships and everything in between. Every Wednesday at 7:20 p.m. you can ask her any and all questions about self-love, dating, and relationships LIVE on YourTango’s Facebook page. You can follow her on Instagram, Twitter or on her website at www.emily-blackwood.com.