Hypoxia is a condition of low oxygen levels in cells and tissues. As a result, cells and tissues in all parts of the body cannot function normally. Hypoxia is a condition that needs to be watched out for because if left unchecked, this condition can cause tissue death.
Normally, oxygen obtained through breathing activities will be transported by blood from the lungs to the heart. The heart will then pump oxygen-rich blood to all body cells through blood vessels. Hypoxia occurs when oxygen does not reach cells and tissues. As a result, oxygen levels in the tissues will drop, followed by the appearance of complaints and symptoms.
Hypoxia is not the same as hypoxemia. Hypoxemia is a condition when oxygen levels in the blood are low. Hypoxaemic conditions can progress to hypoxia.
Causes of Hypoxia
Hypoxia can be caused by low levels of oxygen in the environment, the presence of disease or disorders in the lungs and respiratory tract, or because of the side effects of drugs.
The following are some of the diseases and medical conditions that can cause hypoxia:
- Lung disease, such as bronchitis, COPD, pulmonary edema, emphysema, pulmonary hypertension, pneumonia, pneumothorax, or lung cancer
- Heart disease, such as, bradycardia, ventricular fibrillation, congestive heart failure, or coronary heart disease
- Blood disorders, such as anemia or methemoglobinemia
- Infections that cause sepsis
- Poisoning, such as cyanide-poisoning or CO (carbon monoxide) poisoning
- Injuries that cause excessive bleeding
- Use of medications, such as fentanyl or anesthetics
- Disease due to altitude or altitude sickness
- Lack of oxygen due to being trapped in a fire, cold place, or drowning
Types of hypoxia
Based on the cause of the lack of oxygen in cells and tissues, hypoxia can be divided into several types, namely:
- Hypoxic hypoxia (hypoxic hypoxemia), caused by a lack of oxygen in the blood
- Histotoxic hypoxia, caused by body tissues not being able to use the available oxygen
- Metabolic hypoxia, caused by more oxygen needed by body tissues than usual
- Stagnant hypoxia, caused by lack of blood flow
- Anemic hypoxia, caused by a lack of hemoglobin in red blood cells
In addition to the causes and types above, there are several conditions that make a person more at risk of experiencing hypoxia, including hypotension, asthma, and ALS.
Symptoms of Hypoxia
Each person with hypoxia can experience different symptoms. Symptoms of hypoxia can appear suddenly and worsen rapidly (acute) or develop slowly (chronic).
The following are some of the common symptoms of hypoxia:
- Breath becomes fast
- Hard to breathe
- Heart rate becomes fast or vice versa becomes sluggish
- The skin, nails, and lips are bluish (cyanosis) or even red like a cherry
- Weak
- Dazed or confused
- Loss of consciousness
- Sweating
- Cough
- Difficult to talk
In certain cases, hypoxia can appear without causing any signs or symptoms. This condition is called happy hypoxia.
When to go to the doctor
Immediately consult a doctor if you experience the complaints mentioned above. Early examination and treatment is needed to prevent complications.
If you notice someone feeling short of breath or having difficulty breathing, feeling weak, suddenly unable to speak, confused, or having a seizure, take them to the ER immediately.
Hypoxia Diagnosis
The doctor will ask the patient's complaints, as well as the health conditions or diseases that the patient has suffered.
After that, the doctor will check for signs of hypoxia in the patient, for example by assessing the level of consciousness, looking at the color of the lips and the tips of the nails, and checking blood pressure, respiratory rate, and heart rate.
While conducting the examination, the doctor will carry out initial treatment to stabilize the patient's condition.
To diagnose hypoxia and determine the cause, the doctor will perform the following investigations:
- Oximetry test, to monitor oxygen levels in the blood
- Complete blood test, to look for signs of anemia or infection
- Lung function tests, to check if the lungs are functioning normally
- Blood gas analysis, to evaluate metabolism and respiration, as well as possible poisoning
- Electrocardiogram (ECG), to look for signs of heart damage or an irregular heartbeat
- X-ray or CT scan of the chest, to see abnormalities in the lungs, such as a pneumothorax or lung infection
- CT scan or MRI of the head, to look for abnormalities in the brain, such as a tumor, stroke, or bleeding
- Cardiac echo, to monitor the structure and condition of the heart, so that damage or abnormalities in the heart or heart valves can be detected
Hypoxia Treatment
Treatment of hypoxia aims to restore the supply of oxygen to cells and tissues, so that the body's organs can work properly and tissue death does not occur. Treatment of hypoxia is also aimed at addressing the underlying cause.
Treatments that can be done to overcome hypoxia include:
Oxygen
Giving oxygen aims to increase oxygen levels in the patient's body. Supplementary oxygen therapy can be given through:
- Mask or nasal tube (nasal cannula), the selection of which will be adjusted to the patient's condition and the oxygen level to be achieved
- Hyperbaric therapy, for severe tissue hypoxia or patients with carbon monoxide poisoning
- Breathing apparatus (ventilator), for severe hypoxia with difficulty breathing
Drugs
In addition to drugs, treatment of hypoxia is also done to treat the causes of hypoxia. Some of the drugs that may be given by the doctor are:
- Iinhaler or asthma medication, to treat asthma attacks
- Corticosteroid class of drugs, to relieve inflammation in the lungs
- Antibiotics, to treat bacterial infections
- Anti-seizure medication, to relieve seizures
Complications of Hypoxia
Decreased oxygen levels that are not treated immediately can progress to tissue hypoxia and cerebral hypoxia (lack of oxygen in the brain). This hypoxia causes damage to cells, tissues, and organs, such as the brain.
Damage to brain tissue can make the sufferer lose consciousness and experience impaired organ function throughout the body. This condition can lead to death.
Hypoxia treated with oxygen is also at risk of causing complications. Giving too much oxygen (hyperoxia) can poison body tissues and cause cataracts, vertigo, behavioral changes, seizures, and even disorders of the respiratory system.
Hypoxia Prevention
Hypoxia is difficult to prevent because it can occur unexpectedly. However, there are things you can do to lower your risk of developing hypoxia:
- Use asthma medication regularly
- Do breathing exercises
- Avoid rising to a certain height quickly, to prevent altitude sickness
- Apply a healthy lifestyle by exercising regularly, drinking enough water, and quitting smoking
- Have regular check-ups with your doctor if you have a medical condition or disease that can increase your risk of developing hypoxia