Hypoxia is a medical condition where tissues in the body fail to reduce the adequate supply of oxygen. Oxygen is elemental as it sustains life on earth. Almost 90 % of biomedical and metabolic activities in the human body need oxygen. 

In this article, we will learn about the medical condition of Hypoxia and other facts related to it. This can be an important topic of the Science and Technology section in GS paper III of the UPSC IAS Exam. The UPSC aspirants can also take the help of Testbook’s UPSC Free Coaching to boost their UPSC Exam preparation!

Download the PDF on Hypoxia notes for UPSC Exam here.

What is Hypoxia 

The human brain is dependent on oxygen to keep working continuously In the absence of oxygen, the brain stops functioning which eventually leads to death or permanent damage to the brain. 

Hypoxia is one of the serious medical conditions where the brain is deprived of oxygen. In other words, it is a condition where blood is not properly oxygenated.

Read about Respiratory Systems here!

What is Silent Hypoxia 

It is a condition which is much harder to detect than regular Hypoxia as the patients are in a better situation and experience fewer difficulties than regular Hypoxia. 

COVID-19 and Hypoxia 

During the Covid-19 pandemic, a medical condition associated with a lack of oxygen is reported which is termed Silent or Happy Hypoxia. In these conditions, patients experience extremely low levels of blood oxygen but these are difficult to be detected due to existing Covid 19 complications. Due to delays in detection and complications associated, medical practitioners advocate for early detection and avoid a condition called Covid Pneumonia. 

Read about Ebola Virus here!

Classification & Types of Hypoxia

There are three types of Hypoxia

Read about Human Blood here!

Difference between Hypoxia and Anoxia 

Hypoxia and Anoxia are both serious medical conditions where organs of the human body including the Brain face oxygen deprivation. The difference between both is intricate and can be studied. 

Causes of Hypoxia 

Hypoxia can be caused due to variety of causes:

• Anaemia.

• Asthma.

• Bronchitis.

• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

• Congenital heart defects.

• Congestive heart failure.

• Emphysema.

• Pneumonia (bacterial and viral).

• Pneumothorax (air in the space around the lung or collapsed lung).

• Pulmonary edema (fluid on the lungs).

• Pulmonary embolism (blood clot in the lung).

• Pulmonary hypertension.

• Pulmonary fibrosis (lung scarring).

• Sleep apnea.

Symptoms of Hypoxia 

Symptoms can be classified into two categories

Hypoxia Test     

Hypoxia can be diagnosed preliminarily by physical examination of the body these includes 

• Listening to hearts and lungs 

• Checking Skin, Nails, and Lips to see a bluish tint

Several tests can also be conducted 

• Pulse Oximetry - It is a non-invasive and painless method to check the amount of oxygen in the blood 

• Pulmonary Functions Test - It is used to check the proper working of the lungs by blowing out a mouthpiece attached to an instrument. 

• Arterials Blood Gas Test - Blood from the Wrist, Groin or arm is used to check the blood oxygen level in the body through a needle 

• Imaging - X-Ray, CT SCAN, and V/Q scan can be used to image internal organs and their study gives an idea of Hypoxia level in the body 

• Six-Minute walk test - Distance traveled in Six minutes while walking on a flat surface gives an idea of the working of internal organs of the human 

Prevention of Hypoxia 

Some of the best methods to keep Hypoxia under control is to manage conditions which may cause declares in oxygen levels in the body which includes 

• Keep an eye on Asthma level 

• Having a check of heart and lungs conditions periodically 

• Avoiding traveling to a higher altitude if such conditions prevail

• Quitting smoking and tobacco products 

Hypoxia Treatment 

Hypoxia can be treated only when the oxygen levels in the body get back to normal. This can be done through a small pin in the nose and a mask that covers the mouth and nose together. This helps to bring the oxygen level back to normal.

Nobel Prize Related to Hypoxia 

Hypoxia researchers William Kaelin, Sir Peter Ratcliffe and Gregg Semenza worked out how cells adapt to oxygen availability and won the Nobel prize in Physiology in 2019.

Conclusion 

Hypoxia is a medical condition that can cause serious medical conditions and can even lead to death. It can be checked properly by following proper measures and guidelines as suggested by the physician. 

Testbook provides comprehensive notes for different competitive examinations. It has always assured the quality of its product like content pages, live tests, GK and current affairs, mocks, and so on. Ace your preparation with the Testbook App!

In this article, we will learn about the medical condition of Hypoxia and other facts related to it. This can be an important topic of the Science and Technology section in GS paper III of the UPSC IAS examination.

Download the PDF on Hypoxia notes for UPSC Exam only.

What is Hypoxia

The human brain is dependent on oxygen to keep working continuously In the absence of oxygen, the brain stops functioning which eventually leads to death or permanent damage to the brain.

Hypoxia is one of the serious medical conditions where the brain is deprived of oxygen. In other words, it is a condition where blood is not properly oxygenated.

Read about Respiratory Systems here!

What is Silent Hypoxia

It is a condition which is much harder to detect than regular Hypoxia as the patients are in a better situation and experience fewer difficulties than regular Hypoxia.

COVID-19 and Hypoxia

During the Covid-19 pandemic, a medical condition associated with a lack of oxygen is reported which is termed Silent or Happy Hypoxia. In these conditions, patients experience extremely low levels of blood oxygen but these are difficult to be detected due to existing Covid 19 complications. Due to delays in detection and complications associated, medical practitioners advocate for early detection and avoid a condition called Covid Pneumonia.

Read about Ebola Virus here!

Classification & Types of Hypoxia

There are three types of Hypoxia

 Hypoxemic Hypoxia

This can be caused by Lung and Heart Disease Congenital health defects and medical conditions where the breathing rate reduces

Circulatory Hypoxia

Circulatory or Stagnant Ischemic Hypoxia occurs when the heart doesn’t pump enough blood or there is a blockage in the heart vessel. Serious medical conditions such as Congestive heart failure and blood clots are some prime causes

Anaemic Hypoxia

This occurs due to a lack of Red Blood Cells in the body due to which oxygen is not properly transported from the lungs to other tissues.

Histotoxic Hypoxia

It is a Medical condition where cells are unable to use oxygen properly. Lungs have enough oxygen but when it reaches tissues something blocks them from being used properly. Cyanide poisoning is an example of such hypoxia.

Read about Human Blood here!

Difference between Hypoxia and Anoxia

Hypoxia and Anoxia are both serious medical conditions where organs of the human body including the Brain face oxygen deprivation. The difference between both is intricate and can be studied.

Causes of Hypoxia

Hypoxia can be caused due to variety of causes:

• Anaemia.
• Asthma.
• Bronchitis.
• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
• Congenital heart defects.
• Congestive heart failure.
• Emphysema.
• Pneumonia (bacterial and viral).
• Pneumothorax (air in the space around the lung or collapsed lung).
• Pulmonary edema (fluid on the lungs).
• Pulmonary embolism (blood clot in the lung).
• Pulmonary hypertension.
• Pulmonary fibrosis (lung scarring).
• Sleep apnea.

Symptoms of Hypoxia

Symptoms can be classified into two categories

• Minor
  • Restless
  • Headache
  • Confusion
  • Anxiety
  • Tachycardia – Rapid Heart Rate
  • Tachypnea- Rapid Breathing
  • Dyspnea- Shortness of Breath
• Major
  • Bradycardia- Slow Heart Rate
  • Extreme Restless
  • Cyanosis- Blue Skin

Hypoxia Test

Hypoxia can be diagnosed preliminarily by physical examination of the body these includes

• Listening to hearts and lungs
• Checking Skin, Nails, and Lips to see a bluish tint

Several tests can also be conducted

• Pulse Oximetry – It is a non-invasive and painless method to check the amount of oxygen in the blood
• Pulmonary Functions Test – It is used to check the proper working of the lungs by blowing out a mouthpiece attached to an instrument.
• Arterials Blood Gas Test – Blood from the Wrist, Groin or arm is used to check the blood oxygen level in the body through a needle
• Imaging – X-Ray, CT SCAN, and V/Q scan can be used to image internal organs and their study gives an idea of Hypoxia level in the body
• Six-Minute walk test – Distance traveled in Six minutes while walking on a flat surface gives an idea of the working of internal organs of the human

Prevention of Hypoxia

Some of the best methods to keep Hypoxia under control is to manage conditions which may cause declares in oxygen levels in the body which includes

• Keep an eye on Asthma level
• Having a check of heart and lungs conditions periodically
• Avoiding traveling to a higher altitude if such conditions prevail
• Quitting smoking and tobacco products

हाइपोक्सिया – यूपीएससी के लिए इस शरीर में रक्त में ऑक्सीजन की कमी से संबंधित इस रोग के बारे में जानें! 

Hypoxia Medicine

Hypoxia can be treated only when the oxygen levels in the body get back to normal. This can be done through a small pin in the nose and a mask that covers the mouth and nose together. This helps to bring the oxygen level back to normal.

Nobel Prize Related to Hypoxia

Hypoxia researchers William Kaelin, Sir Peter Ratcliffe and Gregg Semenza worked out how cells adapt to oxygen availability and won the Nobel prize in Physiology in 2019.

Conclusion

Hypoxia is a medical condition that can cause serious medical conditions and can even lead to death. It can be checked properly by following proper measures and guidelines as suggested by the physician.

We hope all your doubts regarding “Hypoxia” are addressed after going through this article. Testbook provides comprehensive notes and online classes for UPSC including different competitive examinations. It has always assured the quality of its product like content pages, live tests, GK and current affairs, mocks, and so on. Ace your preparation with the Testbook App!

Hypoxia FAQ