Hypoxia and Medicine

How does alcohol and smoking contribute to hypoxia?

Public Comments

1. As far as I know, Alcohol doesn't have an effect. Smoking will introduce carbon monoxide into the blood stream. Carbon monoxide (CO) has 800 time more affinity for the red blood cells then oxygen. In other words CO is 800 time more likely to attach its self to the red blood then oxygen. With more CO on the blood, there is less room for oxygen. This can contribute to hypoxia. Hypoxia literally means "deficient in oxygen."
2. smoking will allow carbon dioxide to build up in your system and prevent oxygen from binding to the red blood cells. alcohol, can slow down the rate of normal respirations, and also make the respirations much shallower than normal. the makes the gas exchange in our lungs where carbon dioxide to breathed out and oxygen in, very inefficient. hypoxia can be life threatening. joe
3. smoking effects your lungs and their ability to cough and clear secretions reducing oxygen up take as well as building up carbondioxide levels in the blood.... toooo much alcohol makes you breath slower , shallower also reducing the oxygen/ carbondioxide exchange .... then theres always the too much alcohol vomit and cough and aspiration breathing in the vomit to your already ineffectual lungs .... people die every day from this ... you just shouldnt smoke and drink only in moderation
4. Histotoxic Hypoxia Histotoxic hypoxia is an inability of the tissues to use oxygen. This condition occurs during carbon monoxide or cyanide poisoning, or from the use of certain narcotics, chewing tobacco, and alcohol Hypemic Hypoxia Hypemic hypoxia is a reduction in the capacity of the blood to carry oxygen. This condition is caused by: # A reduction of hemoglobin in the blood This may be caused by blood donation, hemorrhage, or anemia. # A reduction in the number of red blood cells This may be caused by drugs, chemicals, smoking, or carbon monoxide exposure. Hypoxic Hypoxia Hypoxic Hypoxia is a reduction of oxygen entering the blood. This condition occurs when: # There is a reduction in oxygen pressure in the lungs # Reduced gas exchange area # Lung disease my point is alcohol dont have anything to do w. hypoxia.. its SMOKING!