Hypoxia Symptoms, Causes, And Acclimatization Mechanisms

Hypoxia Symptoms, Causes, And Acclimatization Mechanisms

Define hypoxia and enumerate the different types of hypoxia. Explain changes taking place in the body during acclimatization hypoxia.
Answer:

Hypoxia Definition:

• Hypoxia is defined as reduced availability of oxygen to the tissues.

Hypoxia  Types:

1. Hypoxic hypoxia:

• Occurs due to decreased oxygen content in the blood.

2. Anaemic hypoxia:

• It is inability of the blood to carry enough amount of oxygen.

3. Stagnant (ischaemic) hypoxia:

• It occurs due to decreased velocity of blood flow.

4. Histotoxic hypoxia:

• It is inability of tissues to utilize oxygen.

Changes occurring in body during Hypoxia:

1. On kidney:

• Hypoxia stimulates juxtaglomerular apparatus of kidney.
• This increases the secretion of erythropoietin.

2. On blood:

• Due to increased secretion of erythropoietin from kidney by hypoxia, red bone marrow is stimulated.
• As a result, RBC count increase with increases in haemoglobin content.
• As haemoglobin increases, oxygen carrying capacity of blood also increases.

3. On respiration:

• Hypoxia stimulates peripheral chemoreceptors.
• As a result, large amount of carbon dioxide is washed out and oxygen enters.

4. On CVS:

• Hypoxia stimulates peripheral chemoreceptors.
• This in turn stimulates.