Intermittent hypoxia
Intermittent Hypoxia (in-ter-mit-ent hy-pox-ia) is a medical condition characterized by periodic episodes of decreased oxygen levels in the blood, or more specifically, below-normal oxygen saturation in the arterial blood.
Etymology
The term "Intermittent Hypoxia" is derived from the Latin word "intermittens" meaning "interrupting" and the Greek word "hypoxia" meaning "lack of oxygen".
Definition
Intermittent Hypoxia (IH) refers to the periodic reduction in oxygen saturation, often associated with certain medical conditions such as Sleep Apnea, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), and Altitude Sickness. It is different from Chronic Hypoxia, which is a constant or continuous lack of adequate oxygen supply.
Symptoms
The symptoms of Intermittent Hypoxia can vary depending on the severity and duration of the oxygen deprivation. Common symptoms include shortness of breath, rapid breathing, restlessness, confusion, and fatigue. Severe or prolonged episodes can lead to more serious complications such as Heart Disease, Stroke, and Pulmonary Hypertension.
Treatment
Treatment for Intermittent Hypoxia primarily involves addressing the underlying cause. This may include lifestyle changes, medication, or in some cases, surgery. For example, in the case of Sleep Apnea, treatment may involve the use of a Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) device.
Related Terms
- Hypoxemia: A condition characterized by abnormally low levels of oxygen in the blood.
- Hypoxia: A general term referring to any condition in which there is a decrease in the oxygen supply to the body's tissues.
- Anoxia: A severe form of hypoxia where there is a complete lack of oxygen supply to the body's tissues.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Intermittent hypoxia
- Wikipedia's article - Intermittent hypoxia
This WikiMD dictionary article is a stub. You can help make it a full article.
Languages: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
Urdu,
বাংলা,
తెలుగు,
தமிழ்,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
русский,
português do Brasil,
Italian,
polski