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Hypoxia and Hypoxemia - Its Symptoms, Causes, and Treatments - MyHealth

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Hypoxia and Hypoxemia - Its Symptoms, Causes, and Treatments

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Medically Reviewed By
Dr. Ragiinii Sharma

Written By Prekshi Garg
on Jan 24, 2023

Last Edit Made By Prekshi Garg
on Mar 17, 2024

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Hypoxia and Hypoxemia
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When tissues and cells do not receive enough oxygen to operate properly, hypoxia occurs. Lung problems are the most common cause of hypoxia.

Hypoxia can also be caused by a heart or liver problem, as well as an accident.

Hypoxemia is a similar medical condition. This refers to low oxygen levels in the blood.

This article delves more into hypoxia, covering common symptoms, when to see a doctor, and how they may identify the problem.

Hypoxia

In normal terms, Hypoxia meaning can be understood by saying that it is the condition when your body's tissues do not receive adequate oxygen. When you breathe, oxygen enters your lungs and travels through your airways to little sacs called alveoli. From there, it is picked up by your blood in small veins near the alveoli (capillaries).

Finally, it makes its way through your bloodstream to different tissues.

Hypoxia can occur if not enough oxygen is delivered at any point during the route. Both airflow and blood flow are critical to the process.

This is why people with lung diseases and heart disease both are at a greater risk of hypoxia. When someone experiences hypoxia they are called hypoxic.

Types of Hypoxia

For oxygen to reach the cells in your tissues, you must have the following:

  • There is ample oxygen in the air you breathe.
  • Healthy lung function is essential for getting oxygen to your alveoli.
  • Healthy cardiac and circulatory functions are essential for delivering oxygen-rich blood to your tissues.
  • A sufficient number of red blood cells supply oxygen.
  • Tissue cells have the ability to use oxygen.

Each of the four types of hypoxia is produced by a shortage of oxygen in one of these regions.

Hypoxemic Hypoxia

Hypoxemic hypoxia, the most prevalent form of hypoxia, is caused by low levels of oxygen in the blood (hypoxemia). Lung and heart disorders, congenital heart problems, and drugs that limit your breathing can all cause hypoxemia. Traveling to a high altitude, where oxygen levels are lower, can also result in hypoxemia.

Hypoxia of the Circulatory System

Even if your blood contains sufficient oxygen, it may not reach your tissues if your heart is not pumping enough blood or if a blood artery is blocked. This is known as circulatory hypoxia (also called stagnant hypoxia or ischemic hypoxia). Circulatory hypoxia can be exacerbated by congestive heart failure and blood clots.

Hypoxia due to anemia

Anemic hypoxia meaning can be understood by saying that it occurs when there are insufficient red blood cells to transport oxygen from the lungs to other tissues. If your body does not produce enough red blood cells or produces malformed red blood cells, you can become anemic.

Hypoxia with histotoxic effects

Histotoxic hypoxia occurs when your cells are unable to adequately utilize oxygen. In this instance, you can have a lot of oxygen entering your lungs and blood. When it reaches your tissues, though, something prevents your cells from using it. This is possible with cyanide poisoning.

Hypoxia Causes

The most common cause of hypoxia is an underlying illness that interferes with adequate blood flow to tissues and cells or breathing. Some medical conditions that might restrict blood flow and cause hypoxia are as follows:

  • Injury resulting in blood loss or artery damage
  • Compression, which could occur as a result of a traumatic injury
  • Heart failure or a heart attack and other such heart ailments.
  • Liver problems
  • Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
  • Congenital cardiac defects.
  • Congestive heart failure.
  • Emphysema.
  • Anemia.
  • Asthma.
  • Bronchitis.
  • Pulmonary hypertension.
  • Pneumonia (bacterial and viral).
  • Collapsed lung or air in the space around the lung (Pneumothorax).
  • Respiratory fibrosis (lung scarring).
  • Edema of the lungs (fluid on the lungs).
  • Embolization of the lungs (blood clot in the lung).
  • Sleep apnea.

Hypoxia symptoms

The degree of hypoxia symptoms, the underlying reason, and the sections of your body impacted differ. When your oxygen levels are low, you may feel as if you are unable to breathe or think clearly. The following are some hypoxia symptoms:

  • Restlessness.
  • Anxiety.
  • Confusion.
  • Headache.
  • Tachycardia (High heart rate).
  • Tachypnea (Breathing quickly.
  • Dyspnea (Breathing difficulties or shortness of breath).

In addition, Severe hypoxia symptoms can include the following:

  • Bradycardia (Reduced heart rate).
  • Extreme anxiousness.
  • Skin that turns bluish (cyanosis).

Diagnosing Hypoxia

A physical exam will be performed by your healthcare professional, which will include listening to your heart and lungs. They may examine your skin, nails, and lips to see if they are blue. Your doctor may also request tests to evaluate your oxygen levels and establish the reason for your hypoxia, such as:

Pulse oximetry: A sensor is placed over your finger by your healthcare practitioner to monitor the amount of oxygen in your blood. This technique is painless and noninvasive.

Arterial blood gas test (ABG): To examine your oxygen levels, a small needle is used to take blood from your wrist, arm, or groin.

PFT: PFT stands for pulmonary function test, and it involves blowing out and breathing into a mouthpiece coupled to a machine that evaluates how effectively your lungs perform.

Imaging: X-rays, CT scans, and V/Q scans all use sophisticated technology to provide images of your interior organs. Imaging can assist your provider in determining the source of the hypoxia.

Six-minute walk test (6MWT): You walk for six minutes on a flat surface to see how far you can go in that period. This test assists your doctor in determining lung and heart function.

For better treatment book your Hypoxia and Hypoxemia tests from Redcliffe Labs at the most affordable prices. Consult your doctor and get the tests done to avoid any kind of complications.

Treatment Of Hypoxia

Treatment of hypoxia is determined by the underlying cause. The reason could be a one-time occurrence or a continuous condition. The treatment of hypoxia has three major goals:

  1. assisting in the maintenance of airway function
  2. increasing the amount of oxygen breathed in
  3. increasing the amount of oxygen that flows from the blood into the lungs

Some common treatments for hypoxia include

  • Suctioning in the upper airways to keep them free and remove foreign objects is a Decreasing any throat blockage, such as by tilting the head
  • To treat COPD or sleep apnea, a ventilation device, such as a BiLevel positive airway pressure (BIPAP) or continuous positive airway pressure machine, is used.
  • Using bronchodilator drugs, which aid in the opening of the airways
  • Undergoing chest physiotherapy 
  • Usage of an endotracheal tube
  • having a flutter valve to assist keep mucus out of the airways
  • Using an incentive spirometer, a gadget that teaches people to picture their breathing and take slower, deeper breaths.
  • using nasal cannulas to supply oxygen via the nose
  • Oxygen supplementation to treat continuous (chronic) hypoxia. To increase the amount of oxygen entering your lungs and down to your alveoli, an oxygen delivery device is attached to your nose through a mask or tubes.
  • For persons with edema, diuretics are used to remove excess fluid.
  • Some people with interstitial lung disease may benefit from taking steroids.
  • In the event of severe acute hypoxia (sudden onset), mechanical breathing is used in a hospital.

Happy Hypoxia

Happy hypoxia is a critical stage in the Covid-19 disease. Hypoxia is a situation in which the body's oxygen levels are low. Happy hypoxia patients can have extremely low oxygen levels, as low as 40% (the normal range is above 94%), but still, feel fine. Sometimes a person with Covid experiences lung problems that don't manifest themselves right away. Patients tend to focus on other symptoms, and while the body battles these symptoms, the lack of enough oxygen begins to manifest as happy hypoxia. In other circumstances, people are oblivious to the fact that they are breathing quicker, and their oxygen levels continue to plummet; their bodies acclimatize to the lower levels, much as they do while traveling to a high-altitude place.

Can Happy Hypoxia Be Cured?

Due to the difficulty in identifying happy hypoxia, it can be challenging. As a result, you must monitor your blood oxygen levels at frequent intervals. The color of some people's lips turns blue, and their skin color changes significantly. Sweating heavily, especially when not engaged in strenuous physical activity, can also indicate an issue with oxygen levels.

Maintain vigilance regarding the symptoms. If your symptoms make you feel that something is wrong, see a doctor as soon as possible.

Happy hypoxia can lead to serious illness requiring hospitalization and ICU care over time. As a result, it is critical to get tested for Covid even if you have just minor symptoms.

Also, once diagnosed, or even if you have a high clinical suspicion of Covid, it is critical to regularly monitor oxygen levels. If the disease is diagnosed early, timely treatment can be given to try to prevent it from progressing.

Hypoxia and Hypoxemia : Are they Same?

Although the terms hypoxia and hypoxemia are frequently used interchangeably, they are not synonymous. Because they both involve a lack of oxygen, but in distinct places of your body, the names sound similar.

Hypoxia meaning low oxygen levels in the tissues, whereas hypoxemia refers to low oxygen levels in the blood. Hypoxia is frequently, but not always, induced by hypoxemia. It is possible to be hypoxic but not hypoxemic, and vice versa.

Hypoxemia

When oxygen levels in the blood are lower than normal, this is referred to as hypoxemia. If blood oxygen levels in your body are too low then your body may not function correctly. A hypoxemic person has low blood oxygen levels.

Hypoxemia occurs when you do not breathe in enough oxygen or when the oxygen you do breathe in does not reach your blood. Both air and blood flow are essential for maintaining enough oxygen levels in your blood. This is why lung and heart illnesses both raise your chances of developing hypoxemia.

Hypoxemia Symptoms

The symptoms of hypoxemia differ based on the degree and underlying cause. Among the hypoxemia symptoms are

  • Frequent headaches
  • Breathing difficulties or shortness of breath (dyspnea).
  • Tachycardia (High heart rate).
  • Wheezing.
  • Coughing.
  • Bluish skin, fingernails, and lips (cyanosis).
  • Confusion.

Hypoxemia Causes

The most prevalent cause of hypoxemia is an underlying ailment that affects blood flow or breathing (like heart or lung conditions). Certain drugs can cause hypoxemia by slowing breathing.

Sleep apnea and mild lung illness can also produce nocturnal hypoxemia, or a decline in blood oxygen levels while sleeping.

High elevations can also produce hypoxemia, which is why it can be difficult to breathe in the mountains.

Hypoxemia can be caused by the following medical conditions:

  • Acute respiratory distress syndrome ( (ARDS).
  • Chronic Obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
  • Congestive heart failure.
  • Emphysema.
  • Pneumothorax (air in the space around your lung or collapsed lung) (air in the space around your lung or collapsed lung).
  • Pulmonary embolism (blood clot in lung).
  • Pulmonary fibrosis (scarring of lungs).
  • Pulmonary hypertension.
  • Edema of the lungs (fluid on your lungs).
  • Pneumonia.
  • Anemia.
  • Asthma.
  • Bronchitis.
  • Congenital Heart abnormalities.

Treatment Of Hypoxemia

Medications or other treatments can help raise your blood oxygen level depending on the underlying cause of hypoxemia. Your physician may utilize "supplemental oxygen" via oxygen tanks or oxygen concentrators to help raise oxygen levels. Depending on the severity of the ailment, these may be required continually or only when exerted.

Medical professionals may employ a machine that breathes for you if you have severe hypoxemia, especially if you have acute respiratory distress syndrome (ventilator). Additional drugs or therapies may be required if hypoxemia does not resolve, a condition known as refractory hypoxemia.

Treatment of hypoxemia that targets the underlying cause may include:

  • Inhalers containing bronchodilators or steroids to aid persons suffering from lung illness such as COPD.
  • Medications that aid in the removal of excess fluid from the lungs (diuretics).
  • A continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) mask is used to treat sleep apnea.
  • Supplemental oxygen may be used to treat hypoxemia that is persistent.
  • Oxygen devices vary, but you should expect to receive one that distributes extra oxygen via a breathing mask or a tiny tube (cannula). You can get oxygen at home, on the go with a portable unit, or in the hospital.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How much low oxygen levels are dangerous for us?

The amount of oxygen circulating in the blood is referred to as the blood oxygen level. The normal blood oxygen level is 75-100 mm Hg. If they go below 60 mm Hg, it is possible that not enough oxygen reaches the body's important organs.

When oxygen levels fall below 60 millimeters of mercury, doctors consider them to be low (mm Hg). Other symptoms such as shortness of breath and dizziness may occur.

2. Who is affected by hypoxia?

Hypoxia can be caused by any condition that limits the quantity of oxygen in your blood or restricts blood flow. People suffering from heart or lung disorders such as COPD, emphysema, or asthma are at a higher risk of hypoxia. Some infections, such as pneumonia, influenza, and COVID-19, can potentially raise your chances of developing hypoxia.

3. What are the side effects of hypoxia?

If your blood has low oxygen levels, it cannot supply enough oxygen to your organs and tissues, which require it to function (hypoxia). If this continues, it can harm your heart or brain (for instance, with nocturnal hypoxemia caused by sleep apnea). Hypoxemia can be lethal in severe circumstances.

4. How can I lower my risk of hypoxemia?

The best method to lessen your risk of hypoxemia is to treat any underlying diseases that can cause a drop in blood oxygen levels. If you have lung or heart disease, talk to your doctor about your concerns and specific measures to reduce your risk.

Even if you don't have a heart or lung issue, certain medications and circumstances, like flying to a higher altitude, can increase your risk of hypoxemia. Inquire with your provider about any additional precautions you should take before traveling or taking medication. When traveling, give yourself enough time to safely acclimatize to higher altitudes.

5. How can I deal with Hypoxia symptoms?

If you have symptoms such as disorientation, rapid heart rate, or breathing, or if your nails, lips, or skin appear bluish, you should seek medical assistance right once. To avoid lasting organ damage, hypoxia should be treated as soon as possible. Chronic hypoxia caused by COPD and other medical disorders can have milder symptoms. Your healthcare practitioner will discuss how to manage your illness in order to prevent symptoms and the risk of your oxygen levels falling too low.

Conclusion

Both Hypoxia and Hypoxemia are life-threatening conditions that are treatable with prompt medical attention. Hypoxemia means that you have low levels of oxygen in your blood, on the other hand, Hypoxia meaning states that when the tissue of your body is not receiving adequate oxygen. Many chronic heart and lung conditions can increase your risk for hypoxia as well as Hypoxemia. If you notice any symptoms for either of the conditions, call your doctor and seek medical attention as if left untreated, both Hypoxia and hypoxemia can be fatal.

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