Hypoxia occurs when tissues and cells do not get enough oxygen to function correctly. Hypoxia most commonly results from lung conditions but may stem from a heart or liver condition or an injury
A related health issue is called hypoxemia. This refers to low levels of oxygen in the blood.
This article explores hypoxia in more depth, including common symptoms, when to see a doctor, and how they may diagnose the issue.
Hypoxia refers to cells or tissues not having enough oxygen to function effectively.
When a healthy person inhales, their lungs take in oxygen from the air, then transfer it into the blood. Next, the blood transports the oxygen to tissues and cells throughout the body.
Oxygen in the blood enters cells in exchange for carbon dioxide, a waste gas created as cells function. The lungs remove carbon dioxide when the person exhales.
A lack of sufficient blood flow to tissues and cells can cause hypoxia.
Some health issues that can reduce blood flow include:
- injury that leads to blood loss or damages arteries
- compression, which might occur in a traumatic injury
- heart conditions, such as heart failure or a heart attack
- liver conditions
A related condition is hypoxemia, which refers to the blood having too little oxygen. Conditions associated with hypoxemia include:
- chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, which may be better known as COPD
- pneumonia
- asthma
- interstitial lung disease
- fibrosis
- emphysema
- chronic bronchitis
- swelling of the larynx or lungs
- pulmonary embolism
- acute respiratory distress syndrome
- inhaling foreign objects that interfere with breathing
- obesity
- being in a high altitude
- being in a coma or deep sedation
- mucus plugs
- brain damage or neurological conditions
- damage to one or both phrenic nerves, which transmit information about motion to respiratory muscles
- abnormalities in the structure of the lungs or chest wall
- fistulas
- some liver conditions
- heart conditions
- drug overdoses
- cyanide poisoning
A lack of oxygen in cells or tissues causes hypoxia symptoms, which
Common symptoms of mild to moderate hypoxia and hypoxemia include:
- shortness of breath, especially with exertion
- wheezing
- restlessness
- headache
- confusion
- unexplained exhaustion
Symptoms of severe hypoxia include:
- purple or bluish skin
- a rapid heartbeat
- a loss of consciousness
- coma
Severe hypoxia can also be fatal.
Speak with a doctor about unexplained trouble breathing or a rapid heart rate.
Anyone with severe trouble breathing, a very rapid heart rate, discolored skin, or altered levels of consciousness should receive emergency care.
Various tools can help doctors diagnose hypoxia, particularly those that show the airways and levels of oxygen in the blood and tissues.
These tools may include:
- pulse oximetry to determine oxygen levels in the arteries
- gas exchange tests to determine the ratio of oxygen to carbon dioxide in the arteries
- X-rays or CT scans of the chest and airways
- pulmonary function tests
- tests that measure oxygen levels during the night
- the 6-minute walk test to determine oxygen levels in response to exercise
Hypoxia
Hypoxemia occurs when there is not enough oxygen in the blood.
In some cases, hypoxemia can lead to hypoxia. If the blood does not contain enough oxygen, it cannot deliver the necessary amount to the cells or tissues.
Hypoxia develops when there is too little oxygen in the cells or tissues, and this keeps them from functioning correctly.
A lack of blood flow or having too little oxygen in the blood can cause it. This may stem from a lung, heart, or liver condition, or an injury, for example.
Anyone who experiences severe trouble breathing should seek emergency care. A rapid heartbeat, altered levels of consciousness, and discoloration of the skin are other symptoms of hypoxia.
Let a doctor know about any unexplained changes in heart rate or shortness of breath.