Does Hypoxia Complicate Your Asthma?
Updated November 11, 2014.
Written or reviewed by a board-certified physician. See About.com's Medical Review Board.
Definition: Hypoxia is a reduced oxygen supply. The body receives an inadequate supply of oxygen to organs in the body. Hypoxia can lead to traditional symptoms in asthma such as:
Hypoxia is diagnosed by assessing oxygen saturation. This can be done with the use of a pulse oximeter or a blood gas. Pulse oximetry is a non-invasive method for monitoring oxygen saturation.
By attaching the sensor to a finger, earlobe, or other body part, light waves are transmitted across the skin and can determine the oxygen saturation. Pulse oximeters will generally read out oxygen saturation as a percentage. A normal pulse ox reading is 95–100 percent depending on the clinical scenario. You will need to talk with your doctor to see what levels they want for you if you assess at home. Saturations below 90 percent are almost always abnormal. A blood gas is an arterial blood sample that measures oxygen saturation.
Causes of Hypoxia
In terms of the pathophysiology of asthma, hypoxia results from inflammation and narrowing of the airways causing less oxygen to be delivered than the body demands.
Other Diseases Where Hypoxia May Play a Role
Hypoxia is a part of a number of other diseases such as:
- Congestive Heart Failure
- COPD
- High Altitude
- Lung Cancer
- Obesity Hypoventilation Syndrome
- Pneumonia
- Pulmonary Embolism
Signs and Symptoms of Hypoxia
Signs and symptoms of hypoxia include:
- Confusion
- Cyanosis— a bluish discoloration of the skin
- Euphoria— some patients report a feeling of increased well-being
- Headache
- Hypertension— elevated blood pressure
- Lightheadedness
- Shortness of breath— difficulty breathing
- Sweating
- Tachycardia— a rapid heart rate
- Tachypnea— elevated breathing rate
- Vision change
If you are displaying symptoms of hypoxia, you need to go to the hospital or your doctor’s office to have it assessed. It is important to closely monitor symptoms as asthma patients may develop symptoms slowly.
Can I Assess Hypoxia At Home?
Yes. It is now relatively easy to assess oxygen status at home. You can buy pulse oximeters at a local electronic store to assess your own oxygen status. Hypoxia is considered a medical emergency. If you check your oxygen status at home and get low levels, you need to seek medical care.
How Is Hypoxia Treated?
The treatment of hypoxia involves raising the oxygen level. In the short term that will mean providing oxygen to raise oxygen saturation. You may receive oxygen through a nasal prongs called nasal canula or you may receive oxygen via face mask.
In asthma treating with medications may also improve hypoxia. Albuterol and other short acting beta agonists will relieve narrow airways. Inhaled or systemic steroids will decrease inflammation that will also open up airways.
Is Hypoxia Preventable?
The best way to prevent hypoxia is to keep your asthma under control. Every asthma patient should have an asthma action plan and follow it. Taking your controller medication regularly and using rescue inhalers appropriately will help prevent asthma flares.
Pronunciation: hi-poks-e-a
Also Known As: decreased oxygen, low oxygen levels
Common Misspellings: hipoxia, hypocsia
Examples: My son’s asthma was poorly controlled. He had worsening of his cough, shortness of breath and hypoxia when his lips turned blue.
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