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Hypoxia
Definition
Hypoxia is a deficiency of oxygen in inspired (inhaled) gases or in arterial blood and/or in the tissues.
This is closely related to anoxia, which is a complete lack of oxygen in the tissues. One can think of anoxia as the most severe case of hypoxia.
Additional Info
Various forms of hypoxia are recognized. These include:
- Anemic hypoxia - results from a decreased concentration of hemoglobin.
- Cerebral hypoxia - results from a decrease in oxygen supply to the brain even though there is adequate blood flow.
- Hypoxic hypoxia - results from defective oxygenation of the blood in the lungs.
- Ischemic hypoxia - results from slow peripheral circulation (also called stagnant hypoxia). This condition is not uncommon following congestive cardiac (heart) failure.
- Altitude sickness - nosebleed, nausea or pulmonary edema experienced at high altitudes.
The most common symptom of hypoxia is cyanosis, a bluish cast to the skin, lips and/or fingernails. Cyanosis is harder to observe in dark-skinned people. The best places to look in this case are in the buccal mucosa (inside of the cheek) and hard palate (roof of the mouth).
SDS Relevance
Hypoxia and related terms most commonly appear on Safety Data Sheets as a symptom of exposure in Section 11 (toxicological information).
If your body isn't getting oxygen, you die. Make sure you recognize cyanosis when you see it. If working in an enclosed space or with an asphyxiant, move to a well-ventilated area if you become light-headed, weak or disoriented.
Be sure you understand the dangers of carbon monoxide in the home and workplace. This nasty, invisible, odorless, colorless, gaseous poison can cause hypoxia and death!
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Further Reading
- Cerebral Hypoxia Information Page at the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.
- Cerebral hypoxia at the NIH's MedLinePlus Medical Encyclopedia.
- Peripheral Cyanosis (Blue Hands and Feet) at Healthline.
- Altitude Illness in the Merck Manual Professional version. The Consumer version is also available.
- The High Altitude Medicine Guide by Thomas E. Dietz, MD.
- Hypoxia can also refer low levels of dissolved oxygen in lakes, rivers or the occean. See the EPA's Mississippi River/Gulf of Mexico Hypoxia Task Force site for more information.
See also: air, anesthesia, anoxia, asphyxiant, cyanosis.