This book describes Hypoxemia, Diagnosis and Treatment and Related Diseases

Hypoxemia happens when there are low levels of oxygen in the blood.

Hypoxia indicates the presence of low levels of oxygen in the tissues of the body.

The two can occasionally, but not always, happen together.

Normally, the presence of hypoxemia indicates hypoxia.

This makes sense since if oxygen levels are low in the blood, the tissues of the body are also probably not getting sufficient oxygen either.

There are many disorders that can cause hypoxemia.
1. Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS)
2. Anemia
Anemia is a disorder in which there are not enough red blood cells to effectively carry oxygen.
Due to this lack of red blood cells, a person with anemia may have low levels of oxygen in their blood
3. Asthma
4. A blood clot in the lung (pulmonary embolism)
5. A collapsed lung
6. Congenital heart defects or disease
7. COPD
COPD is a chronic disorder in which the flow of air in the lungs is blocked.
Destruction of the walls of alveoli and surrounding capillaries in COPD can cause disorders with oxygen exchange, which can result in hypoxemia.

8. Covid-19 pneumonia
9. Fluid in the lung (pulmonary edema)
10. Travel to a high altitudes
11. Interstitial lung disease
12. Medications that lower breathing rate, such as some narcotics and anesthetics
13. Pneumonia of bacterial, viral or fungal origins
14. Scarring in the lungs (pulmonary fibrosis)
15. Sleep apnea
16. Respiratory failure happens when not enough oxygen passes from the lungs to the blood.
The low blood oxygen levels can indicate respiratory failure.
17. Near drowning or choking
18. Carbon monoxide poisoning
19. Exposure to cold for a long period of time
20. Congestive heart failure

Different disorders can cause hypoxemia in different ways.

Hypoxemia in newborns

Hypoxemia can occasionally happen in newborns with congenital heart defects or disease.

In fact, measuring the levels of oxygen in the blood is employed to screen infants for congenital heart defects.

Preterm infants are very susceptible to hypoxemia, especially if they have been placed on a mechanical ventilator.

Someone with hypoxemia may develop these symptoms:
1. Shortness of breath
2. Coughing or wheezing
3. Headache
4. Rapid heartbeat
5. Feeling confused or disoriented
6. A blue coloration to the skin, lips, and fingernails
7. Confusion or memory loss
8. Clumsiness
9. Drowsiness
10. Changes in behavior
11. Vision changes
12. Dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting

In order to diagnose hypoxemia, the doctors will conduct a physical examination during which they will examine the heart and lungs.
Other tests are:
1. Pulse oximetry, which uses a sensor placed on the finger to measure blood oxygen levels.
2. Arterial blood gas test, which uses a needle to draw a blood sample from an artery to measure blood oxygen levels.
3. Breathing tests, which may evaluate the breathing through a machine or by breathing into a tube.

Since hypoxemia involves low blood oxygen levels, the purpose of treatment is to try to elevate blood oxygen levels back to normal.

Supplemental oxygen therapy can be given to treat hypoxemia.

If an underlying disorder such as asthma or pneumonia is producing the hypoxemia, the doctor will work to treat that disorder with medicines.

Mechanical ventilation and IV fluids may be used for more severe forms of hypoxemia.

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