Hypoxemia is a condition in which there is a below-normal level of oxygen in your blood, specifically in the arteries. This condition usually indicates that there is an issue with circulation and breathing. Moreover, hypoxemia usually results in shortness of breath.

In order to determine this condition, a person will have to get their oxygen level measured from a blood sample taken from an artery, known as arterial blood gas. Likewise, it can be determined by measuring the oxygen saturation of your blood using a pulse oximeter. A pulse oximeter is a small device that clips to your finger.

If the arterial oxygen is approximately 75 to 100 millimeters of mercury, it is considered to be normal. However, if the values are below 60 mm Hg, it usually means that you need supplemental oxygen. So, a range from 95 to 100 percent is considered as normal pulse oximeter reading, while if it’s under 90, it is considered low.

Hypoxemia Symptoms

There is no certain set of symptoms which can apply to all people, but they vary from person to person. Nevertheless, some of the most common hypoxia symptoms include wheezing, cough, confusion, changes in the color of your skin, fast heart rate, slow heart rate, rapid breathing, and sweating. Thus, if you notice one or a couple of these symptoms, you should immediately call 911.

Hypoxemia Causes

In order to continuously supply the cells and tissues in your body with oxygen, there is a need for several factors, including:

• Your lungs have to inhale the oxygen-containing air and exhale carbon dioxide
• There has to be sufficient oxygen in the air you are breathing
• The bloodstream has to circulate blood to your lungs, take up the oxygen and carry it throughout your body

In case there is an issue, such as asthma, high altitude, or heart disease, with any of these three factors it might result in hypoxemia. So, when your blood oxygen level is low, it might trigger a headache, shortness of breath, restlessness or confusion.

When it comes to the hypoxemia culprits, some of the most common hypoxemia causes include acute respiratory distress syndrome, anemia, asthma, congenital heart disease in adults, congenital heart defects in children, emphysema, certain medications, pneumonia, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, pneumothorax, sleep apnea, pulmonary fibrosis, pulmonary edema, and pulmonary embolism.

Therefore, you should immediately see your doctor if you experience sudden and severe shortness of breath, abrupt awakenings with shortness of breath, feeling that you're choking, or shortness of breath after slight exertion or when you're at rest.

In case you are experiencing chronic shortness of breath, you should undertake several steps, such as quitting smoking, doing regular exercise, and avoiding passive smoking.