HOME
Front page
Credits
Links
MyBodyIndex:
Human Body Guide
Nutrient Guide
Disorder Guide
Remedies & Therapies
The Human Body:
|
Hypoxia
Hypoxia, is the lack of oxygen to be provided to the body’s need. There are 4 types of hypoxia- Hypoxic, Anemic, Circulatory and Histotoxic. Hypoxic is associated with high altitude where there is a lack of available oxygen. Anemic refers to low haemoglobin content which occurs when there is carbon monoxide poisoning, thus there is reduced available haemoglobin. Circulatory is the inadequate "flow" of oxygen to tissues. It occurs in heart failure, and blood vessel occlusion. Histotoxic is the interference with oxygen used by tissues. e.g., cyanide-poisoning.
The effects of high altitude on the body causes changes in ventilation. The hyperventilation 20-30 breaths/min. The affinity of haemoglobin for oxygen increases as hypoxia promotes DPG synthesis in red blood cells. Red blood cells production also increases and the number of capillaries within tissues increases so as to circulate the oxygen better. Furthermore, number of mitochondria increases and conservation of acid in blood occurs. All of which helps to prevent hypoxia.
|