Master the Early Signs & Symptoms of Hypoxia

Some initial responses include releasing catecholamines like epinephrine and norepinephrine which stimulate an unexplained apprehension, restlessness and even irritability in some patients.

As cells are deprived of oxygen they stimulate the respiratory center to increase respiratory rate and depth. Depending on the mechanism of decreased oxygenation other mechanisms like peripheral chemoreceptors can detect low oxygen levels in the blood and trigger this response.

Difficulty with breathing when the body is exercising is one of the first signs of hypoxia because the demand of tissues exceed the supply available.

Tachycardia manifests as the body attempts to increase cardiac output to circulate oxygenated blood more frequently.

In initial stages of hypoxia tachycardia often causes increased blood pressure or hypertension. However, as hypoxia is sustained, compensatory mechanisms often cannot be sustained and blood pressure can become very low. Blood pressure changes are not a good indicator of hypoxia.

The heart is very sensitive to low oxygen levels because it has a high extraction percentage of oxygen from the blood. When oxygenation decreases slightly, the cardiac muscle can be immediately affected. This can occur in early stages, as well as late stages. Sustained hypoxia can lead to lethal arrhythmias.

Compensatory changes in the kidneys can lead to decreased urine output, especially in hypovolemic states.

A feeling of extreme tiredness can occur as decreased oxygenation to tissues causes decreased cellular function. This may occur as an early or late symptom.