Oxygen starvation. Hypoxia - treatment

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Oxygen starvation. Hypoxia - treatment
Oxygen starvation. Hypoxia - treatment
Anonim

Oxygen starvation, or hypoxia, is a state of the body in which the normal supply of oxygen to the brain is disturbed. Hypoxia affects its outer part. But, as a rule, this term is also used to denote the absence of oxygen in the entire brain. Based on the latest statistical studies, the highest prevalence of this disease was found among residents of megacities and employees of enterprises who work in rooms where there is no normal air ventilation.

Reasons

oxygen starvation
oxygen starvation

Predisposing factors that provoke oxygen starvation of the brain include:

  1. Inhalation of carbon monoxide.
  2. Diseases that interfere with the normal functioning of the respiratory muscles.
  3. Carbon monoxide poisoning.
  4. Great height.
  5. Suffocation.

Views

There are several types of this disease:

  1. Hypoxic. This variety is quite often diagnosed in people who climb to great heights. As a rule, this manifests itself in the following way: the higher the altitude, the greater the lack of oxygen.
  2. Hemic. It is characterized by a decrease in the oxygen capacity of the blood.
  3. Breathing. A characteristic feature of such an ailment is the presence of pathological processes, which negatively affects the entire respiratory system.
  4. Circulatory. Manifested in case of lack of blood circulation.
  5. Fabric. The cause of its occurrence is considered to be a decrease in the activity of respiratory enzymes.
  6. Mixed. As the name implies, it is manifested by a combination of different types of this disease.
  7. Myocardial. It is manifested by a lack of oxygen in the heart muscle. The danger of this type of hypoxia lies in the high probability of developing a serious complication in the future - ischemia.

According to the period of flow, they distinguish:

  1. Lightning fast that develops in a fraction of a second and lasts a maximum of 3-5 minutes.
  2. Spicy. It manifests itself, as a rule, after a heart attack or with a large loss of blood, which are predisposing factors for reducing the ability of blood to supply oxygen to tissues.
  3. Chronic. Most often diagnosed with heart disease, cardiosclerosis or heart failure.

Oxygen deprivation, symptoms

oxygen deprivation of the brain
oxygen deprivation of the brain

It is known that for normal functioning the brain needs about 3.3 million oxygen per 100 g of live weight. And if even the slightest deficiency occurs in the brain, to normalize the situation, cerebral blood flow increases almost instantly, which can exceed the norm by a maximum of two times. When this is not enough, hypoxia begins.

The initial stage of this disease is characterized by increased excitability. Most often, there is a state close to euphoria, inability to exercise full control over one's actions, problems with performing simple mental tasks and changes in gait.

Important! Changes in the upper skin of a person and the appearance of cold sweat can also serve as evidence of the onset of hypoxia.

If oxygen starvation continues for a significant period of time, then its characteristic features are severe vomiting and dizziness. In addition, the clarity of vision is significantly impaired, and periodic darkening in the eyes is observed. Loss of consciousness is not uncommon.

For advanced cases, the appearance of cerebral edema is characteristic. In the future, serious deviations in the work of the brain may occur with a further loss of conditioned, and then unconditioned reflexes.

Attention! Medical practice has several dozen cases when, as a result of prolonged hypoxia, the patient fell into a deep coma.

It should be remembered that oxygen starvation of the brain can be triggered by other factors. For example, constant stress, lack of sleep, excessive smoking or alcohol abuse.

But, as practice shows, the symptoms of this disease rarely occur alone, but rather complement each other.

Diagnostic measures

fetal oxygen starvation
fetal oxygen starvation

Diagnosis of this disease, in addition to a general examination by the attending physician, also consists in conducting specific laboratory and instrumental tests.

Using a pulse oximeter. Today, this method is not only the most accessible to determine whether oxygen starvation of the brain is present or absent, but it is also easy to use. To do this, just put a special device on the patient's finger - a pulse oximeter - and in just a couple of minutes it will become known how oxygenated the blood is. At the moment, the optimal level should not exceed 95%.

Determination of blood composition in veins and arteries. When this study is used, it becomes possible to establish the level of the main indicators of homeostasis, from which they emit: oxygen, partial pressure of carbon dioxide, the state of the bicarbonate and carbonate buffer.

Study of gases contained in exhaled air (using CO-metry and capnography).

Also, in some cases, it is recommended to use magnetic resonance imaging and an electrocardiogram.

Possible Complications

lack of oxygen
lack of oxygen

It's no secret that people go to medical institutions only when it becomes unbearable to endure. But if such an approach is still justified with a mild cold, then with manifestations of hypoxia, it can have very serious consequences. These include:

  • bronchial asthma;
  • serious metabolic disorders;
  • stroke;
  • deep coma.

Hypoxia treatment

oxygen starvation in a child
oxygen starvation in a child

The treatment of this disease is to use an integrated approach, which consists in the regular implementation of the prescribed procedures. The first step is to indicate to your doctor the reason that led to this condition. It could be chronic fatigue, stress, or a poorly ventilated room.

Further, depending on the condition of the patient, treatment is prescribed, which can take place both at home and in the hospital. The treatment regimen may include:

  1. Medications of plant origin, the action of which is aimed at accelerating the circulation of blood circulation in the patient's body and stabilizing his general well-being.
  2. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy. The essence of this treatment method lies in the fact that the patient is placed in a special chamber, where high-pressure oxygen is used on the body.
  3. Vitamins that restore brain tissue.

If mild anoxia is diagnosed, the treatment in this case is to ventilate the room or take long walks in the fresh air. Hypoxia, which occurred as a result of a heart disease or after poisoning, is treated much more difficult.

In case of exogenous hypoxia, the use of specific oxygen equipment is recommended - masks, cartridges, pillows.

Treatment of respiratory hypoxia consists in the appointment of drugs that dilate the bronchi, respiratory analeptics or antihypoxanes. In special cases, oxygen concentrators or artificial lung ventilation are used.

It should be remembered that with a timely visit to the doctor and with fairly mild symptoms, the prognosis for a speedy recovery is very favorable. But in more advanced cases, it is not always possible to eliminate the negative consequences that a lack of oxygen causes.

Hypoxia during pregnancy

oxygen starvation in newborns
oxygen starvation in newborns

This disease is especially dangerous during pregnancy. And sadly, but every year the number of women who are faced with this phenomenon is only increasing. But it should be borne in mind that hypoxia during pregnancy most often means no longer a full-fledged disease, but the course of processes due to which various pathological abnormalities occur in the body of a baby in the mother's womb. This happens due to the fact that blood with oxygen does not flow in the proper amount to the internal organs of the fetus. But it is worth remembering that mother and child are one, therefore, if the child suffers, then, accordingly, the mother also suffers.

Hypoxia during pregnancy is a very alarming sign, especially if it has been diagnosed more than once over several trimesters. Therefore, so that this disease does not develop into a chronic form, it is recommended not to hope that this is an accident, and not to attribute everything to an “interesting” situation and possible deviations from the norm that usually occur in this case, but to consult a doctor as soon as possible at the place of observation.

Types of fetal hypoxia

Oxygen starvation of the fetus can manifest itself in both acute and chronic forms. And, as practice shows, different predisposing factors are necessary for each of the cases. So, chronic hypoxia develops gradually and for a fairly long period of time. It occurs most often due to placental insufficiency, when, due to the presence of bad habits, serious chronic diseases (asthma), the placenta does not perform its functions in full.

Chronic hypoxia most often occurs in the second trimester of pregnancy.

Acute oxygen starvation of the fetus, unlike chronic, comes unexpectedly and, as a rule, occurs during the 2nd stage of labor. The main causes leading to this condition are called placental abruption and the appearance of nodules on the umbilical cord.

From the symptoms indicating the imminent onset of hypoxia, we can distinguish:

  1. Rapid heart rate early and slower later.
  2. Fetal immobility.
  3. Weak late-term baby kicks.
  4. Changes in the skin of a newborn baby from natural to green or blue.

Diagnosis of fetal hypoxia

blood with oxygen
blood with oxygen

As a rule, at regular gynecological examinations, every expectant mother is recommended to remember not only the day when the baby moves for the first time, but also to carefully observe them (movements) in the future. This is necessary first of all in order to fix, and in the future to prevent the development of serious pathologies.

Attention! The presence of up to 10 series of active stirring of the child is considered the norm.

Also, at each scheduled gynecological examination, the expectant mother listens to the abdominal wall through a special tube - an obstetrician's stethoscope. The purpose of this test is to determine the baby's heart rate. Indicators of 110-160 beats per minute are considered normal. If other indicators are present, then this is considered an indication for additional examinations using a dopplerometer or cardiotocograph.

In addition, oxygen starvation can also be determined by visual examination, since with this disease the volume of the abdomen is greatly reduced, and the baby himself, although he is in the last stages, looks unnaturally thin during an ultrasound examination.

Hypoxia in newborns

Manifestations of this disease in newborns are often the cause of irreversible disturbances in the activity of vital organs (lungs, kidneys, heart and central nervous system). Therefore, when identifying the initial stage of hypoxia in a baby, it is necessary to warm him up as soon as possible and give him artificial respiration. In more serious cases, it is necessary to free the airways from the mucus accumulated there. For this, special solutions are introduced there. External cardiac massage is also recommended.

As a rule, oxygen starvation in newborns in the future requires constant monitoring by a pediatrician at the place of residence.

Treatment of hypoxia in pregnant women

In most cases, women who have even the slightest hint of intrauterine hypoxia are gradually transferred to inpatient treatment. There they are prescribed injections of drugs containing vitamins and substances that help thin the blood. But, as a rule, such events do not always achieve their goal, since oxygen starvation in a child will pass only when the factors that contributed to its occurrence are completely eliminated.

Therefore, preventive measures include:

  1. A daily two-hour walk in the fresh air. If for some reason this becomes impossible, then it is recommended to ventilate the room or install an air conditioner with an air ionization function. But remember that permanent sitting in a closed room, even with daily ventilation, is strongly discouraged.
  2. Rejection of bad habits. Since this is not only a predisposing factor for the development of this disease, but also causes serious harm to the unborn baby.
  3. Eat foods high in iron. As a rule, these are pomegranate, beef liver, beans, herbs, onions. In addition, oxygenated drinks, oxygen cocktails, have proven themselves well.
  4. Avoid colds and infectious diseases.
  5. If possible, avoid places with a large crowd of people.
  6. Stick to a certain daily routine. Remember that you need up to 8 hours of uninterrupted sleep to fully restore your body.
  7. Minimize the manifestation of stressful situations.

Important! Acute oxygen starvation in an unborn baby requires a caesarean section.

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