Hypoxia and hypoxemia are both conditions that are
directly related to the supply of oxygen in the human body. Both the conditions
are extremely dangerous, and immediate action is necessary whenever a person is
affected by any or both of these conditions.
When a human body is not able to receive a
sufficient amount of oxygen, the person could get hypoxia or hypoxemia. Without
the sufficient flow of oxygen to the vital organs of the human body, the organs
such as the brain, heart, liver will stop functioning within a matter of
minutes of the symptoms showing.
Hypoxia is the low amount of oxygen in the
tissues, which is caused by the low amount of oxygen in the blood, known as
hypoxemia. Since hypoxemia causes hypoxia, both the conditions are usually
described as one word, that is, hypoxia.
Causes Of Hypoxia
The following mentioned are the causes of hypoxia in the human body-
Severe asthma attack: During a severe Asthma
Attack Symptoms, the airways narrow down; this makes it harder for the
lungs to receive the oxygen.
Lung diseases: Lung Diseases
can also be a contributing factor for a person to develop hypoxia as they cause
a hindrance in the proper functioning of the lungs.
Drugs/medicines: There are many such drugs and medicines
which can contribute towards hypoxia as they hold back breath.
Heart problems: Having heart problems can also cause
hypoxia as it is the heart which sends the oxygenated blood to other organs of
the human body.
Anemia: Being anemic can also cause hypoxia as it
affects the red blood cells which carry the oxygen within the human body.
Cyanide poisoning: Cyanide poisoning can also cause hypoxia
as it increases the level of toxicity in the human body.
Symptoms Of Hypoxia
The symptoms of hypoxia vary from person to person. However, below mentioned are a few common symptoms of hypoxia.
Change in the colour of the
skin: Changes in the colour
of skin are common symptoms of hypoxia and can range from blue to cherry red.
Confusion: Since the level of oxygen going to the
brain is very less, the brain function decreases, often making the affected
person confused.
Cough: Since the airways get narrow with the
supply of less oxygen, a person ends of coughing much more. However, this
results in the person losing more oxygen as coughing takes up more oxygen.
Fast heart rate: Since oxygen is important for the heart to
function properly. Less amount of oxygen can cause a fast heart rate. However,
this can also result in a slow heart rate as well.
Rapid breathing: With less oxygen, the body will require
the person to keep on taking short breaths to compensate for the less amount of
oxygen.
Shortness of breath: The lesser amount of oxygen, the more the
organs will have to be work hard. This effort from the organs can result in the
shortness of breath.
Sweating: When the oxygen levels in the body are
low, the organs go in overdrive. A lot of effort is exerted by and in the body.
Thus, a person with hypoxia may end up sweating profusely.
Wheezing: Wheezing is also common symptom of hypoxia
and caused due to the malfunction in the lungs.
Hypoxia Treatment
The first and foremost thing one will have to do when hypoxia symptoms show up is to rush to the hospital immediately or call for medical help. This is the first step towards hypoxia treatment.
What to expect at the hospital?
You will be given oxygen manually with the help of a
mask that covers the nose and the mouth or through a small plug into the nose
for the same purpose.
The above mentioned is usually enough to bring the
oxygen levels up in a human’s body.
However, if the above treatment does not work, the
doctor will ask you to inhale from an inhaler or an asthma mask.
If the above procedure also does not work, the doctor
may try and give you medicine by putting an IV through your arm.
In the most severe cases, the patent will have to
carry a small oxygen cylinder around with them as they will constantly be
required to wear the plug-in or mask to make the breathing easier.
Conclusion
As mentioned above, hypoxia and hypoxemia
are very serious conditions. If not given immediate Care, these conditions can
cause the death of a person. Therefore, be vigilant to look out for such
symptoms as are mentioned above and also have a look at the causes to ensure
yourself of the risk factors of such conditions. Always remember that Everything
Health begins with taking care of you.
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