9 Low Blood Oxygen
hypoxemia (low blood oxygen) indicates that the oxygen level in the blood flowing through the arteries is less than normal. There are different types of blood vessels; capillaries, arteries and veins. Hypoxemia denotes insufficient oxygen in the arterial blood. Thus, the amount of oxygen flowing in the arteries is low in people suffering from hypoxemia. In this condition, the partial pressure of oxygen in arterial blood reduces noticeably. The partial pressure suggests concentration of oxygen in the blood. When the the respiratory system is not working correctly, it is bound to cause low blood oxygen. The respiratory system is primarily made up of the nose, throat, windpipe, bronchi and the lungs. Usually, diseases affecting the lungs give rise to low oxygen levels in blood. When oxygen is inhaled, it enters the lungs and is then subsequently passed down to the blood stream. So, for normal oxygen levels in blood, correct functioning of the lungs is of prime importance. Following are the medical conditions in which the lungs do not working efficiently, which eventually decreases oxygen level in blood. When oxygen in the surrounding environment is itself low, how can one expect oxygen levels to be normal in the blood. At higher altitudes, the amount of air present is comparatively less than that observed at sea level. Less air means the amount of oxygen available to breathe automatically reduces. Thus, people staying in high altitude conditions may face the symptoms of hypoxemia. No wonder, mountaineers are often advised to carry oxygen cylinders in expeditions that involve scaling high peaks.
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