Hypoxia and Medicine

How do you physiology describe Hypoxia?

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1. Hypoxia literally means "deficient in oxygen." It can refer to: * Hypoxia (medical), a shortage of oxygen in the body. Hypoxaemia is the reduction of oxygen specifically in the blood; anoxia is when there is no oxygen available at all. o Environmental hypoxia, a condition in high altitudes such as mountains where the reduced partial pressure of oxygen available leads to hypoxia. o Ischemia, a restriction in blood supply (and therefore oxygen supply) to an organ or section of the body, generally due to constriction or blocking of blood vessels. * Hypoxia (environmental) or oxygen depletion, a reduced concentration of dissolved oxygen in a water body leading to stress and death in aquatic organisms. o Dead zone (ecology), or hypoxic zones, hypoxic areas in the world's oceans. o Anoxic sea water, a condition of abnormally low levels of oxygen in the sea. o Oxygen minimum zone, the depth in the sea at which the dissolved oxygen level is lowest, or most hypoxic.
2. Hypoxia means not enough oxygen. In the blood, we measure oxygen as percent hemoglobin saturation (SaO2) or the partial pressure of oxygen in the arterial blood (PaO2). Sp)2 less than about 90% or PaO2 below about 80 would be considered hypoxic. There can also be tissue hypoxia, which is not enough oxygen getting to a particular tissue. Relative hypoxia means that oxygen needs are outstripping oxygen supply, so oxygenation that might be adequate under one circumstance could be less than adequate in another situation.
3. Hypoxia Hypoxia is a state of oxygen deficiency in the body which is sufficient to cause an impairment of function. Hypoxia is caused by the reduction in partial pressure of oxygen, inadequate oxygen transport, or the inability of the tissues to use oxygen. In brief, being drunk is kind of the same as being exposed to high altitude. In both cases, oxygen to your brain and muscles is reduced. Hypoxic Hypoxia is a reduction in the amount of oxygen passing into the blood. It is caused by a reduction in oxygen pressure in the lungs, by a reduced gas exchange area, exposure to high altitude, or by lung disease. [This is the hypoxia that is a hazard to aviators.] Hypemic Hypoxia is defined as a reduction in the oxygen carrying capacity of the blood. It is caused by a reduction in the amount of hemoglobin in the blood or a reduced number of red blood cells. A reduction in the oxygen transport capacity of the blood occurs through blood donation, hemorrhage, or anemia. A reduction in the oxygen carrying capacity of the blood occurs through drugs, chemicals, or carbon monoxide. [This hypoxia usually experienced by smokers.] Stagnant Hypoxia is an oxygen deficiency due to poor circulation of the blood or poor blood flow. Examples of this condition are high "G" forces, prolonged sitting in one position or hanging in a harness, cold temperatures, and positive pressure breathing. [This hypoxia usually experienced when sitting for hours in a boring class.] Histotoxic Hypoxia is defined as the inability of the tissues to use oxygen. Examples are carbon monoxide and cyanide poisoning. Certain narcotics, chewing tobacco, and alcohol will prevent oxygen use by the tissues. [This hypoxia usually experienced after drinking too much.]