Hypoxia Symptoms

Medically, hypoxia is a condition characterized by the shortage of oxygen either in the entire body (generalized hypoxia), or a particular region or part of the body (tissue hypoxia). The literal meaning of 'hypoxia' is the deficiency of oxygen. It can be of several types, and sometimes this condition can be a medical emergency, especially when the supply of oxygen to the vital organs of the body like the brain, gets interrupted.

In certain circumstances, even healthy individuals can experience this condition. For example, one can experience generalized hypoxia while climbing mountains, or during high-altitude ascension. Basically, this condition is classified into five types - hypoxemic hypoxia, histotoxic hypoxia, anemic hypoxia, ischemic or stagnant hypoxia, and hypemic hypoxia. Cerebral, tissue, and chronic hypoxia are some other common subtypes of this condition.

This condition is caused by the inadequate supply of oxygen to the body, which can cause a fall in partial pressure of oxygen in arterial blood. This is the case with hypoxemic hypoxia, which is usually caused by factors, like high-altitude ascension, sleep apnea, heart mechanism failure, and inadequate pulmonary ventilation.

Inadequate pulmonary ventilation can be caused by respiratory arrest and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Conditions like carbon monoxide poisoning and the accumulation of abnormal hemoglobin in blood can also cause this condition, by reducing the ability of the blood to deliver oxygen to the tissues.

Apart from these, some other possible causes are, cyanide toxicity, ischemic heart disease, cerebral ischemia, cardiac arrest, choking, suffocation, drowning, very low blood pressure, compression of the wind pipe, strangulation, asphyxiation caused by the inhalation of smoke, strokes, and conditions that can obstruct the supply of oxygen to the body or a particular organ.

The signs and symptoms of this condition can vary to an extent depending on the severity of oxygen deprivation, and the type of hypoxia. In generalized hypoxia, one can experience symptoms like headaches, shortness of breath, fatigue, and nausea. If the supply of oxygen to the brain gets obstructed, it can produce symptoms like changes in attention and consciousness, and uncoordinated movements.

If the supply of oxygen to the brain gets reduced significantly, then it is a case of severe cerebral hypoxia. This condition can lead to coma, which is characterized by the complete lose of awareness. Some other symptoms of this condition are, lack of breathing and response to light.

If the body tissues are deprived of oxygen for a long time, which is the case with chronic hypoxia, one can observe symptoms like weakness, fatigue, poor reflexes, breathing difficulty, muscle cramps, and cyanosis or bluish discoloration of the skin.

This condition can be caused by an underlying medical condition or diseases like chronic blood loss, chronic pulmonary disease, and heart disease. These health problems can cause a gradual reduction in the supply of oxygen to the cells and tissues of the body.

Other common symptoms of hypoxia are, rapid breathing, shortness of breath, lack of coordination, poor judgment, headaches, dizziness, muscle fatigue, nausea, cyanosis, visual impairment, and mental fatigue. Symptoms like cyanosis, changes in awareness or consciousness, seizures, and coma are associated with acute and severe hypoxia.

Patients suffering from this condition are usually treated with supplemental oxygen or oxygen therapy, which helps restore the normal supply of oxygen to the body. Patients are usually hospitalized and then put on mechanical ventilation. Cerebral hypoxia, as mentioned already, is a medical emergency that requires immediate hospitalization.

After putting the patient on mechanical ventilation, physicians try to bring back the heart rate and the blood pressure to the normal level. Further treatment depends on the identification of the underlying causes.

Disclaimer: This story is for informative purposes only, and should not be replaced for the advice of a medical professional.