Types of hypoxia, the causes of their occurrence and possible consequences

1 Types of hypoxia

Doctors have repeatedly reviewed the division of hypoxia into species, but eventually converged on a certain classification, which now operates in the scientific community:

1. exogenous( hypoxic hypoxia) - arises from the impact on the body of various external factors. Most often this is a banal lack of oxygen in the environment: there is not enough oxygen in the lungs, blood does not saturate them, oxygen starvation begins;
2. endogenous - arises due to diseases and pathologies in the human body, specialists stand out:

• respiratory hypoxia( pulmonary or respiratory) - is diagnosed in diseases that affect the respiratory system at any level. Oxygen in the lungs is enough, but the mechanism of its binding to hemoglobin is violated, because of what it simply does not reach the internal organs;
• substrate - oxygen is actively delivered to the tissues, but there are no nutrients that need to be oxidized with it. Lack of glucose and fatty acids, resulting from prolonged starvation or a number of diseases( such as diabetes mellitus) becomes the main cause of this condition;
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• circulatory hypoxia( cardiovascular) - pathology develops against the background of circulatory disorders. It is divided into ischemic( it is diagnosed with a cardinal decrease in the volume of blood, which at a time travels through the vessels in the body) and stagnant( it is diagnosed if there is enough blood, but the speed of its current through the veins gradually decreases);
• reloading - if the cells are too actively consume oxygen, it may be missed, even if all the systems in the body work in normal mode. This type of pathology is not dangerous, the acute period ends shortly after the person has ceased to be exposed to high loads;
• hemic hypoxia( blood) - is due to a decrease in the amount of hemoglobin or a violation of its quality characteristics. It is divided into anemic( due to a decrease in the total amount of hemoglobin in the blood) and due to the inactivation of hemoglobin( if its enough, its basic function is not performed, it often occurs when poisoning with chemicals, medicines, etc.);
• mixed - usually.is a mixture of several types of endogenous hypoxia. Most often the condition is diagnosed with poisoning, coma, etc.;
• tissue hypoxia - in this case, hemoglobin regularly delivers oxygen to the organs, but they, for whatever reason, can not take it to full. Most often begins because of problems with the corresponding enzymes, the effect can accumulate for several years and only then manifest itself.

If you focus solely on the rate of development of pathology, consider the following classification:

• lightning fast or instantaneous - in this case, the compensation resource is generated in seconds, because of which the manifestation of symptoms begins in a couple of minutes;
• acute - a person is able to contact the world no longer than two hours, after which the symptoms become too serious;
• subacute - compensatory mechanisms work properly for several hours( but, as a rule, no longer than five);
• chronic - pathology can develop up to several years, without turning into an acute form.

2 Reasons for

The main external factors affecting the development of pathology:

• discharged atmosphere;
• poorly organized ventilation system;
• large number of people in a small room;
• could;
• breathing through faulty air purification systems( gas mask, spacesuit, medical equipment).

Endogenous hypoxia can cause almost any disease( a short list is attached hereinafter) - because of this, it is better not to carry out an independent diagnosis, immediately delivering the victim to the doctor( especially if there are no external factors acting).

• problems with respiratory or circulatory system;
• asphyxiation;
• fractures in the thoracic region;
• poisoning with chemicals or drugs;
• anemia;
• great loss of blood;
• prolonged fasting;
• problems with thyroid;
• coma, pain or psychological shock;
• excessive physical stress on the body;
• deficiency of B vitamins;
• exposure to radiation.

3 Symptoms of the disease

Any type of oxygen starvation symptoms are similar - the only thing that when they are acute they just do not have time to open. In other cases, a person first falls into an inadequate state of euphoria, during which he can do not quite logical things. After this, the period begins, characterized by the following features:

• retardation;
• drowsiness;
• nausea, resulting in vomiting;
• impaired coordination of movements;
• urinary and fecal incontinence;
• convulsions.

4 Possible consequences of

If the pathological condition is detected in time and measures are taken, irreversible consequences will not occur. The person will soon be able to return to normal life.

If the oxygen starvation lasts a long time, necrotic processes begin, primarily affecting the brain - it can last only a few minutes without this element. After five minutes, problems with the rest of the tissues begin.

In general, the body can remain without support for half an hour, a maximum of forty minutes, during this time it is desirable to provide first aid and call an ambulance or personally take a person to the hospital.

Many patients after hypoxia note the occurrence of psychosis, dementia or Parkinsonism. Approximately two thirds of cases with the syndrome can be controlled, but some patients live with the effects of the pathological condition to this day. Also, patients can not withstand even a minimal physical exertion, because of what they have to limit themselves in everyday life.

Hypoxia is a pathological condition of the body, with which it is possible and necessary to fight. If you notice the symptoms in time and bring the person to the doctor, he will carry out the necessary studies, determine the type of hypoxia and establish the appropriate treatment. The result will be almost complete recovery of the patient - some do not even remember that they once seriously suffered from oxygen starvation.