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The appropriate level of oxygenation of the body’s cells is a necessary condition for the proper functioning of organs. Oxygen is essential for metabolic processes within tissues. Failure to properly oxygenate the organs can be dangerous to your health. The condition in which oxygen is not properly distributed around the body’s cells is called hypoxia.
Hypoxia it is a lack of oxygen distributed throughout the body compared to the demand for it, due to a lack of oxygen in the blood (hypoxemia). Hypoxia can also occur when arterial blood oxygen levels are normal, but the blood does not reach all organs. Hypoxia can be caused by a disease state in the body or by external factors such as low blood pressure or poisoning.
Types of hypoxia
Hypoxia due to the factors causing its occurrence, it is divided into types:
- Hypoxenic hypoxia is caused by reduced oxygen diffusion in the lungs, that is, incorrect distribution of oxygen in the alveoli.
- Circulatory hypoxia is caused by a slow blood flow in the body.
- Anemic hypoxia can be caused by a reduction in the amount and quality (oxygen content) of the blood that the body produces.
- Hypoxic hypoxia is caused by poisoning the body with, for example, potassium cyanide.
- Hypoxia is most common in people suffering from cardiovascular diseases, asthma, and lactic acidosis, which is one of the complications of diabetes.
The device for detecting hypoxia is a pulse oximeter, which is available in the Medonet Market offer.
Hypoxia – symptoms
The most common symptom of hypoxia is central cyanosis, which is manifested by a bluish-blue discoloration of the mucous membranes of the mouth, tongue and skin. Blood clotting disorders occur due to an increase in the number of red blood cells (red blood cells). By hypoxia often there is fatigue, drowsiness. There is haemoptysis, dizziness, visual disturbances, concentration and balance disturbances, wheezing. With these symptoms see your doctor immediately to prevent further treatment hypoxia.
Chronic hypoxia threatens kidney damage and the risk of brain damage from hypoxia.
Hypoxia sometimes it is induced artificially in order to increase the training results of athletes – the body, being in a controlled state of anaerobic metabolism, has greater efficiency.
Altitude hypoxia usually occurs at an altitude of about 1,5-2,5 thousand meters above sea level. It is caused by prolonged stay at high altitudes, where the oxygen pressure is significantly reduced. Symptoms altitude hypoxia include dizziness, fatigue, nausea and vomiting. Hallucinations, increased heart rate and increased blood pressure may occur, and in the acute course of the disease, even brain and pulmonary edema may occur and, consequently, death. Due to such a high risk, in the case of alpine expeditions, it is necessary to gradually increase the height of stay, so that the body has a chance to acclimatize to the new pressure conditions.
Hypoxia It can also occur in deep-sea divers, when the mixture of gases from the cylinder, thanks to which the diver breathes under water, is given in the wrong proportions, or due to diseases and improper functioning of the organs, the body does not take up oxygen properly.
Treatment of hypoxia
Hypoxia is treated most often with tlenoterapii, i.e. administering 100% oxygen in appropriate doses under the supervision of a specialist. If you have asthma, it may be necessary to change the dose or type of inhaler. In some cases, steroid therapy is used.
After consulting your doctor, you can use oxygen inhalation at home, using canned oxygen, which you can buy at Medonet Market.
Prevention of occurrence hypoxia in the case of asthma, it is about regular medication, following your doctor’s instructions, and maintaining healthy physical activity.