Hypoxemia is a condition when the blood doesn't have enough oxygen and as a result, the body might not work properly. The cells in the body require oxygen so they can be healthy. So, the blood delivers the necessary oxygen. However, when the levels of oxygen in the blood are lower than normal, it might trigger shortness of breath, headaches, or even reduced brain and heart function.

Some of the most common causes of hypoxemia are asthma, pneumonia, emphysema, congenital heart disease, anemia, sleep apnea and pulmonary fibrosis. So, if you think that you might deal with hypoxemia, you should seek medical help or consult your physician. Here is everything you need to know about managing and treating hypoxemia.

Diagnosing Hypoxemia

In order to diagnose hypoxemia, the physician has to conduct a physical examination. Hence, they will listen to your lungs and heart and probably check your lips, skin and fingernails. To determine whether or not you have hypoxemia, the physician will have to check the oxygen levels. There are three ways to check the oxygen levels, such as pulse oximetry, arterial blood gas test, and other breathing tests.

The pulse oximetry test is, in fact, a noninvasive and painless test measures the amount of oxygen in your blood. This test is done by attaching a sensor over the finger. This safe and cost-effective screening tool will determine the percentage of haemoglobin in blood that is saturated with oxygen.

On the other hand, the arterial blood gas test is conducted by taking a blood sample from the artery with a needle. The blood sample is used to measure the levels of oxygen in your blood. The other breathing tests include into tubes which are connected to computers or other machines.

Treating Hypoxemia

When treating hypoxemia, the main goal is to increase the levels of oxygen in the blood. So, in order to increase these levels, a patient might get some medications for an inhaler, which will treat underlying conditions that cause hypoxemia. However, if a patient is diagnosed with severe hypoxemia, the physician will be required to prescribe oxygen therapy. This oxygen therapy is, in fact, an extra oxygen provided through a device called a cannula. The cannula is either clipped to the outside of the nose or taken through a breathing mask. A person might get the extra oxygen at home or in a hospital, depending on the individual need.

Hypoxemia Side Effects and Prevention      

So, when there is not enough oxygen in the blood, your organs and tissues won’t get the necessary oxygen to function. If this condition is not treated and persists for a long time, it might affect the brain and the heart. What’s more, it can even be fatal. Luckily, this condition can be prevented. All you have to do is take some simple steps which will help you increase the oxygen levels in the blood. Thus, make sure you conduct some deep breathing exercises and simple physical exercises like yoga or walking. Likewise, drink plenty of water and eat a healthy diet, which is packed with nutrients. Last but not least, quit smoking.