Hypoxemia is a serious condition that
requires immediate medical attention. Without sufficient oxygen (even if only
within a few minutes), this condition can progress to hypoxia and damage to
organs in the body, such as the heart, brain, kidneys, and other important
organs that can be damaged and not function properly. Come on, find out more
about hypoxemia, its causes, symptoms, and how to treat it.
Signs and Symptoms of Hypoxemia
Symptoms of hypoxemia can differ from one
person to another, depending on the severity of the condition. Even so, the
most common symptoms are:
- Shortness of breath or heavy breathing.
- Coughs.
- Headache.
- Dazed.
- The heart beats fast.
- Skin, nails, and lips turn blue (cyanosis).
- Loss of consciousness or coma.
To find out whether the symptoms that
appear refer to hypoxemia, an examination by a doctor is needed. In determining
the diagnosis and finding the cause, the doctor will perform a complete
physical examination, as well as supports, such as blood tests and chest
X-rays.
Handling Steps to Overcome Hypoxemia
Treatment of hypoxemia aims to increase
oxygen levels in the blood. The treatment steps taken will also depend on how
severe the hypoxemia is experienced and the underlying cause. Some treatments
that can be done are:
Oxygen therapy
Oxygen therapy using a mask or oxygenated
tube (nasal cannula). If the patient is unable to breathe on his own, an
intubation may be required to insert a breathing apparatus in the form of a
tube into the patient's airway. After the breathing apparatus tube is
installed, the doctor can pump oxygen through a special oxygen-infused bag
(ambu bag), or use a ventilator machine.
The choice of drugs can vary widely,
depending on the factors causing the patient's hypoxemia. If it is caused by
asthma or a narrowing of the airway, the doctor can give bronchodilators and
corticosteroid drugs. For hypoxemia caused by infection, for example due to
sepsis or pneumonia, the doctor can give antibiotics.
For hypoxemia caused by anemia or heavy
bleeding, the doctor can provide treatment in the form of a blood transfusion.
Because it is a severe condition that requires close medical monitoring and
proper treatment, hypoxaemic patients will generally require treatment in the
ICU.
What is the difference between hypoxia and
hypoxemia?
Hypoxemia is low levels of oxygen in the
blood, especially in the arteries. Hypoxemia is a sign of a problem in the
circulatory or respiratory system that can cause shortness of breath. Meanwhile,
hypoxia is low oxygen levels in body tissues as a result of low oxygen levels
in the air. Hypoxia can have an adverse effect on body tissues, because lack of
oxygen levels in the tissues will interfere with important biological processes
in body tissues.
How do you tell the difference between the
two?
Hypoxemia is determined by measuring the
oxygen level in a blood sample taken from an artery or by measuring the oxygen
saturation of your blood using a pulse oximeter. Normal arterial oxygen is 75
to 100 millimeters of mercury (mm Hg). Normal arterial oxygen levels below 60
mmHg usually indicate that your blood needs supplemental oxygen. While the
reading with an oximeter can be said to be normal, it ranges from 95 to 100
percent. Oximetry values below 90 percent indicate that the oxygen level in
your blood is low. Meanwhile, hypoxia is an advanced condition of hypoxemia, so
if the oxygen level in the blood is low, it increases the risk of hypoxia.
Those are some explanations about hypoxekmia, signs and symptoms of hypoxemia and the difference with hypoxia. By knowing the disease, we can always be vigilant and maintain a healthy lifestyle.
